The Big Welsh Bike Ride
Registration for 2025 is now closed
We’re currently planning our Big Welsh Bike Ride 2026, please register your interest to get involved click on the button below
Date
12th – 14th September 2025
Location
Caernarfon to Cardiff
Sponsorship
Three-day ride: £1,950
One-day ride: £300
Registration fee
Three-day ride: £100
One-day ride: £25
We’re currently planning our Big Welsh Bike Ride 2026, please register your interest to get involved here:
Full course
The event is a challenging 200 mile road cycle that starts in front of the medieval castle of Caernarfon and ends in Cardiff Bay three days later.
The journey follows a scenic route through Snowdonia National Park before travelling down the stunning mid-Wales coastline at the foot of the Cambrian Mountains. From there, you’ll take in the Elan Valley Reservoirs and cycle across Sennybridge Training Area and into Brecon, before our decent into Cardiff on day three for a well earned drink and celebratory meal!
This exclusive event is open to a maximum of 50 people and includes a fantastic support package to help make the event as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Secure your place today for only £100 and a commitment to raise a minimum of £1,950 for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice.
Pick a one day route instead
For those who would prefer a shorter bike ride, you also have the option to join us for one of the three days with a registration cost of £25 and a commitment to raise a minimum of £300:
Day One – Caernarfon to Aberystwyth
Day Two – Aberystwyth to Brecon
Day Three – Brecon to Cardiff
Please check out our FAQ’s below for more information, and you can also contact the team by calling 029 20 532255 or emailing events@tyhafan.org.
The route
Starting outside the impressive Caernarfon Castle, your route on Day One will take you down Llanberis Pass, where you can take in the breathtaking sights of the Glyderau and Yr Wyddfa massif before travelling down the picturesque Mid Wales coastline, ending your day in the coastal haven of Aberystwyth.
Leaving Aberystwyth in the morning of Day Two, you’ll head down to Brecon via the Elan Valley Reservoirs, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery and awe-inspiring architecture of the historic dams. Then you’ll head on through the Sennybridge Training Area, the flat upland plateau of Mynydd Epynt, taking in views of the Black Mountains, the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains before resting for the night in the historic market town of Brecon.
On Day Three, you’ll start your final day by leaving Brecon and cycling through beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park before tackling the home stretch to Cardiff Bay, where you’ll be greeted with a well-earned drink and celebratory meal.
Rhodri Bwye, who has taken on two cycle challenges for Tŷ Hafan in the past, loved the experience:
“I cannot recommend enough for you to do it. It’s a great physical challenge, it’s a mental challenge with some of the obstacles that get chucked in your way on a daily basis, but coming out the back of it you’ve raised a pile of cash for an amazing cause and an amazing charity that needs the funds. And you also make some amazing friends… some that I still speak to to this day…and I class them as really good friends.”
Once you have signed up make sure to set up your Just Giving page using the link below
Start fundraising through Just Giving today
Event Itinerary
Day One: Caernarfon to Aberystwyth taking in the Llanberis Pass (Snowdon) and the Mid Wales coastline
Day Two: Aberystwyth to Brecon via the Elan Valley Reservoirs and Sennybridge Training Area
Day Three: Brecon to Cardiff – finishing at Cardiff Bay
If you would like to find out more about the event or have any questions, please email events@tyhafan.org
Included in your registration:
Pre-event
Pre-event fundraising support (dedicated account manager)
Pre-event briefing session
Pre-event group training ride
Itineraries and route profiles (subject to change)
Bespoke cycle jersey
Pre event and post event celebratory meal
Event Support Team
Dedicated event manager
Six guides (1:8 ratio)
Team medic
Support member from Tŷ Hafan
Accommodation
Accommodation in twin rooms for three nights (please speak to your account manager to enquire about a single room supplement)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and two snack stops daily
Additional Support
Coach travel from Tŷ Hafan to Caernarfon on Thursday 11th September
Bike/luggage transport and storage included for the duration of event (bike must be delivered to Tŷ Hafan on 11/09/2024)
Emergency cards with important phone numbers relating to the event
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about the Coast to Coast cycle challenge
Will I be paired with cyclists of a similar standard?
Yes, if needed we can split the group into groups to accommodate everyone’s ability and make sure everyone is cycling at a comfortable pace.
When do I have to raise the £1950 by?
We ask that fundraisers aim to raise 80% (£1560) eight weeks before the trip and that the remaining balance is paid in at the latest six weeks after the event.
Will you be able to claim gift aid on my sponsorship?
Yes we will, as long as the person donating qualifies for the scheme.
What fundraising support is available?
You will have direct access to an account manager within the events team who will be able to support you with fundraising ideas, marketing collateral, and general advice and guidance throughout your fundraising journey. We’re here to support you along the way!
Who are the support cyclists?
Our experienced support cyclists are being provided by a company called J T Expeditions who Tŷ Hafan have worked with before. There will be one cycle guide for every eight people.
Will I have to train for this event?
Yes, it is essential that you train for this event and have a good level of fitness in order to enjoy the event. We will provide training guides and the opportunity to join a training ride.
What first aid support will there be?
Your safety is really important to us so we will have trained first aiders and first aid equipment available for the duration of the event.
Can I upgrade my room to a single room?
This will depend on room availability and will be at an extra cost. Please speak to the events team who will be able to enquire for you.
Will I have to provide my own personal and travel insurance?
Yes, we recommend seeking out your own personal and travel insurance for this event.
Is my registration fee refundable?
We’ll allow a cooling off period of 14 days whereby you can change your mind and receive a full refund. After this time the fee will not be refundable as the event incurs costs to the charity.
What are the routes for each day?
These will be shared closer to the event date but may be subject to change at any time due to external factors such as weather and event logistics.
How many stops per day will we have?
There will be two to three stops per day.
What food and drink is included?
Breakfast and lunch each day will be included along with a pre/post celebratory meal.
Can I join the group in Caernarfon?
Yes that’s fine, please just let your account manager know so we can plan to meet you there.
Can I leave my vehicle at Tŷ Hafan?
No, unfortunately we do not have space to accommodate any vehicles being left at Tŷ Hafan. If you are struggling with this then please let us know and we will try to help you find a solution.
What happens if I don't hit my fundraising target?
Please don’t worry, we’ll work with you to put a fundraising plan in place and you can continue fundraising after the event.
Can my company match fund my sponsorship?
Speak to your employer to see what they say or if there are any other ways they can support you.
What impact will my fundraising have on Tŷ Hafan?
Your fundraising will have an enormous impact on our work, making sure that no family has to live their child’s short life alone. To find out more about Tŷ Hafan’s work please see Tŷ Hafan – Children’s Hospice.
Will you provide bike tools and spare bikes if something were to happen to mine?
Yes we’ll have a bike tech and a spare bike for the group but we’ll provide you with a kit list of key items to pack in advance of the event.
What kind of bike do I need?
The route is on roads but as we are riding a long way, often on rural lanes, there will likely be some mixed surfaces with potholes, poor road conditions and potentially debris on the road.
Therefore it is recommended to bring a bike that will be comfortable for long days in the saddle and able to cope with mixed surfaces. A gravel, all-road, or touring bike is ideal, but the main factors are that it should be comfortable and have tyres with good puncture protection and a width of 32mm or more. So a road bike that can fit larger tyres is fine, as is a mountain bike with fast rolling tyres. Your bike will need to be running well to take on this trip.
If you are purchasing a bike then some reasonably priced options to look at might be the Marin Nicasio+, Genesis CDA, Voodoo Nakisi and Triband rc120 gravel. If you plan to hire a bike and need advice please get in touch.
Can I use an e-bike?
No, due to the long distances each day and the additional logistics, e-bikes are not permitted on this challenge.