The event HQ for 2024 is Bridge Street Sports Centre in the historic town of Leominster in Herefordshire. The centre will be available from 6:30am and has full changing, showering facilities and parking (pay and display). Although please note that the organiser is not responsible for your vehicle or their contents during the event. There is no accommodation or camping on site, but the town of Leominster has multiple hotel, b&b and camping facilities available. Let us know if you need any assistance finding accommodation.
(Bridge Street Sports Centre
Bridge Street
Leominster
Herefordshire
HR6 8EA
United Kingdom)
Leominster is easily accessible from the A49 and A44 which both connect to the motorway network, approximately 3 hours from London, 2.5 hours from Manchester and 1 hour from Birmingham.
By Train
Bridge Street Sports Centre is 2.3 miles from Leominster train station and is well served with direct trains from Birmingham, Manchester, Chester & North Wales, Aberystwyth & Mid Wales and Cardiff & South Wales.
By Bike
For our local riders (or for ECE purposes), Leominster is easily accessible by bike served by low-traffic rural roads.
As the finish time is after sunset, some night riding may be required. You should ensure that you have legal bike lighting on your bike and for reading the route sheet. We may also still be susceptible to winter weather in March, particularly at the start and over the mountain road to Machynlleth so be prepared with suitable clothing and equipment. Appropriate gears are recommended and brakes in good working order are essential. It is advisable to ensure that you are carrying tools, spares, emergency rations and water.
The route uses all types of road, from narrow lanes with steep ascents/descents and poor surfaces which may be liberally ‘decorated’ with gravel, hedge trimmings and agricultural deposits, and where you are likely to encounter loose livestock; to B and A-roads. You should ride with care at all times – you are responsible for your own safety and that of other road users.
Riders are expected to start with a roadworthy machine and be independent on the event, in the Audax UK tradition of self-sufficiency. Mobile phone coverage is not guaranteed and railway stations for train services back to Leominster are also in short supply. Please give some thought to what you will do in the event of having to abandon the ride. The organiser will not be responsible for providing transport back to the Finish if you abandon.
"In the event of cancellation
If the Audax events are cancelled due to dangerous road or weather conditions, new covid regulations or unanticipated circumstance beyond the control of the organisers entry fees will not be refunded. However, riders will be allowed to complete the Cambrian and Cambrian Minor routes under 'permanent audax' conditions within six weeks following the event date. 'Permanent Audax' conditions will only be invoked if the event is officially cancelled. Entrants will be notified of any cancellation as soon as reasonably possible by e-mail, via social media and the YACF forum. A replacement route card for the Permanent Audax and instructions will be issued as soon as reasonably possible after the date of the event. Hopefully, all of this will be theoretical! Any surplus monies generated by the cancellation would be donated to a cycling charity."