Summary
Where
Bulwark Community Centre
Laburnam Way
Bulwark, Chepstow, NP16 5RF
Who
Organiser:
What
Series: Audax Club Bristol
Brief
The Classic End 2 End. Legend has it Bryan Chapman would cycle the length of Wales and back to go see his mechanic; come follow in his pedal strokes!
Event Info
£70.00
22/05/27 @ 00:00
BRM-PBP
Audax Awards
600
606 km
15-30 kph
40h00
Platinum Grimpeur
7987m
Facilities
Hover for brief, click for full overview.
Overview
The classic Bryan Chapman Memorial is the 600km randonnée to do!
Start times:
Published start time is 06:00.
Additional start times will be used at 04:00 & 05:00 so please factor this into your planning for travel/accommodation.
Your start time/group will be based on your selected average moving speed and be provided 2 weeks before the event.
Audax Club Parisien's Randonneur 10,000 award
This year, as a qualifier for Paris-Brest-Paris, the route will take a less hilly path at the end. It is just shy of 8,000m of climb gaining 8.00AAA points.
HOWEVER - ACP use a different tool to calculate climb and thus this event WILL NOT qualify for a BRM 600 with 8,000m+ of climb. It can still be used for an SR series.
Description
This long distance cycling event is a journey the length of Wales from Chepstow to Menai Bridge and back.
Heading north into the Usk Valley you'll make quick progress as the adrenaline rushes you up and over the Black Mountains to Honey Cafe for the first control. Then follow the Wye Valley, on the old Mid-Wales Railway track bed in places, to Llandidloes.
Shortly the fun begins as you ride up to Llyn Clywedog reservoir and over the Machynlleth Mountain Road with views of Cadair Idris on the horizon; perhaps one of the best roads in the UK. Cross the Dyfi then another climb into Snowdonia with more mountain views and perhaps a low flying RAF plane as you join the Mach Loop round to Dolgellau.
A third done and you are at Kings YHA, the third control; don't forget to engage the granny gear as you turn off the main road!
From here you head across Barmouth Bridge on the shared path then up the coast to Harlech Castle and on to Beddgelert. Climb Pen y Pass nestled under Snowdon's peak before descending to Menai Bridge Heritage Centre for the fourth control; this is the old church hall used by the original event back in the 80s.
Half way, hopefully no visit to a mechanic like Bryan Chapman would, now back you go; this time to the west of Snowdon through Rhyd-ddu to Beddgelert. Retrace the route back to Barmouth and around the coast to Aberdyfi for the sleep control; easier and flatter into the night along the coast.
From here it is off to Newtown with a gradual climb from the Dyfi & Twymyn valleys into the Carno. Then up and over into the quiet Teme Valley to Offa's Dyke Visitor's Centre in Knighton.
This year you'll continue down the valley for a bit before heading south to Pontrilas for your final stop at GV Cafe who will be staying open late for you.
The final leg awaits to Monmouth and the Wye Valley once more; finishing off by passing Tintern Abbey then back to the Arrivée.
Details
- Food & drink provided at start, Kings YHA, Menai Bridge, Aberdyfi & the Arrivée.
- The 'menu' will be provided later with the final ride details.
- Every endeavour will be made to cater for all dietary requirements.
- However if you require specialist provision any precooked meals you provide can be transported from the start to the controls.
- Bag drop provided to Aberdyfi.
- Airbeds and blankets provided at Aberdyfi.
Innage Farm, Mathern - for the start/finish:
Express your interest below just so I can keep Jane & Mike informed. Pay CASH on arrival.
Camping Friday night: £7 tent | £10 van - tbc
Parking Saturday & Sunday: £5 - tbc
Camping Sunday night: use the honesty box
Places to discuss with other riders:
Navigation
Route notes and a variety of files/links will be available usually 5 days before the event.
Will's are considered the Gold Standard for AUK events!
Map
The interactive map below is a guide, subject to change and not necessarily the final version. Toggle 'chart' for elevation & approx. slope %; now works in full screen too.
Route & validation
- The route is advisory - you just have to visit the controls and gain proof of passage within time limits where specified; there may be parts that you'd like to take a different route and that is entirely up to you; the time limits for the controls don't change!
- Validation: Not Instant - brevet cards are returned to AUK for homologation. I will post them on to you UNLESS you deselect brevet card return postage (see the roll over tip in booking form).
Start details
Parking:
No parking or drop off are permitted on the local residential streets so as not to disturb the residents. Parking will be available at Innage Farm for £5 and will be open from 04:00; turn up and pay on arrival. If you are being dropped off use Tesco car park near J2.
For full details see Bulwark Community Centre
Videos
Fergus Coyle's video from 2026:
A few riders' videos from the last few years:
Reviews
What others think.
Great Event, Great Organisation
My first 600, fantastic route out over mostly good roads. The route back was a little more challenging but the organisation, volunteers, camping etc were faultless.
What a cracker! PPP 2026
The 2026 Pauline Porter Populaire 600 km was an absolutely fantastic event from start to finish. Three days of gorgeous scenery, challenging undulations, and a decent blast of Welsh weather made for a proper adventure.
The organisation was excellent throughout, the value for money was outstanding, and the team of volunteers were super helpful, welcoming and encouraging at every stage. Their support really added to the whole experience.
Genuinely one of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had on a bike. A brilliant event, superbly run, and one I’d highly recommend. Thankyou Will and the rest of the team.
Tough and enjoyable way to spend a weekend
I’ve done hilly 600’s and enjoyed them, however, whilst the 3 day PPP format might not be quite as challenging. It’s way more enjoyable!
The route takes a number of very scenic back roads that the BCM doesn’t and these were some of the highlights of the weekend.
The accommodation and showers, whilst basic, were perfect for recovery after a long day in the saddle. There was a great camaraderie across the people riding and sharing rooms.
Well organised ride
It was my first 600 and absolutely loved it. Beautiful route and very friendly volunteers. The control points were well organised and nicely spaced.
My second meeting with Bryan
This was my second attempt at the infamous BCM having made it back just in time last year after two disasters. In many ways it was a repeat of 2024 and why I came back, excellent organisation and route mapping. Great support from Will and the ACB, most of whom seem to know my name! Weather was forecasted with an Amber warning from the met office and one of the controls had to be reloacted to stop it being blown down the mountain, fortunately Saturday was at worst just miserable and Sunday warm by the afternoon. Same great route and challenging climbs which I conquered. So in 2026 if you want a great challenge – it is on the bucket list for a host of good reasons
More Events
Loading events…
Entries Closes:
22/05/27 @ 00:00 or when full.
First time entering on Pedalution:
- An account will automatically be created when you PROCEED TO PAYMENT.
- You will receive a registration email to validate your email and create a password; this will be required to access further event information found on this page.
- If you PROCEED TO PAYMENT then don't complete, or go back, you may encounter an error saying 'account already exists' or similar. Look for the password email to validate or use 'lost your password' found in the login area in the hamburger menu, and footer across the site or the sidebar on event pages.
- Information specific to this event and generic for the future will be stored in your account.
- You may delete your account at any time but if you do so before the event you remove yourself from the entry list.
PLEASE NOTE:
- If you are U18 (or booking for an U18 rider) entry is free; please contact me direct so I can provide the relevent form and enter manually.
- Audax UK registered events are run in accordance with their Regulations and are covered by their insurance.
- Audax UK Temporary Membership (Subscription ) @ £3.00 is added until you confirm you are either an Audax UK Member (Subscriber) or Cycling UK member.
- Please make sure your AUK membership is up to date.
- Once payment is completed you will receive an email from [email protected] and will be redirected back to a page saying what happens next.
Booked through Pedalution before?
You know the drill, log in!
First time here? An account will be created for you as you check out.
First time here? No need to log in, just enter an event and an account will be created for you!
Contact the organiser
A quick check to keep spam away, then your email app opens with this event filled in.
