Summary
When
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Fri 15th May 2026
07:00 - 01:12
Mon 18th May 2026
Where
Nellie's Coffee Shop
Wye Valley Country Stores, Unit 6, 9 Beaufort Pk Wy
Bulwark, Chepstow, NP16 5UH
Who
Organiser: Will Pomeroy
What
Series: Audax Club Bristol
Brief
Ever fancied doing The Classic Bryan Chapman Memorial 600 End 2 End but been put off by the sleep deprivation? The 3 day Pauline Porter Populaire variation has you coverd!
Event Info
£50.00 - £70.00
Open
Audax Awards
Pointless
620 km
9.2-10.3 kph
66h12
Apex Grimpeur
10589m
Facilities
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Overview
The Pauline Porter Populaire long distance cycling event is a journey the length of Wales from Chepstow to Menai Bridge and back.
Enjoy the delights of the classic Bryan Chapman Memorial 600km but as a 3 day Populaire; a bit hillier, a tad longer, quieter roads where possible, more sleep!
Pauline Porter is the creator of the original Anglesey & Back 600 and a friend of Bryan Chapman; riding the original event with him. I'm proud she has let me honour her by naming this Populaire after her. Pauline will be about during the event so you can have a chat with her about its history.
Resolution 17 to maintain longer Brevet Populaires passed at the AGM.
However it will run as an open event as its integration into the regulations needs to be discussed.
Description
This year the event will be run as an open event. It won't count towards any Audax UK awards or points.
Event speeds:
9.3-10.3kph is the overall speed for the Arrivée opening times.
Daily times are based on 12.5-25kph for each days' latest start. The control opening times for Saturday's & Sunday's first controls are adjusted for any early risers that want to set off from 07:00; this will equate to about 20kph moving average and there will be a few hills before the controls.
Day 1:
07:00 START. 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. Follow the Wye Valley, on the old Mid-Wales Railway track bed in places, then utilise parts of the old A470 to Rhayader where you make a beeline to Llandidloes on quieter roads.
The fun begins as you ride up to Llyn Clywedog reservoir on the west side 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 into Snowdonia and stick to the stunning estuary & coast going through Aberdyfi & Tywyn to get to...
Kings YHA from the top nestled below Cadair Idris' peak for your first sleep stop.
- Distance: 225km
- Climb: 3686m
- Finish by: 01:00 [based on 12.5kph]
Day 2:
07:00-08:00 START: From here you will do the top loop in reverse compared to the other routes so in the afternoon you'll pass the other riders coming in the opposite direction.
Head to Dolgellau and climb up to Llyn Trawsfynydd on quiet roads for a fast descent on the main. Your first control is at Tan-y-Bwlch Station Tea Rooms on the Ffestiniog Railway.
Through Beddgelert you'll pass west of Snowdon to Rhyd Ddu and on to Menai Bridge for the second control.
Coming back climb Pen y Pass from the north before back to Beddgelert. Then along the coast past Harlech Castle and over Barmouth Bridge to Kings YHA for your second night; don't forget to engage the granny gear as you turn off the main road!
- Distance: 173km
- Climb: 2934m
- Finish by: 22:00 [based on 08:00 start @ 12.5kph]
Day 3:
07:00-08:00 START: Heading back up the hill to once again see Cadair Idris' peak you'll make your way towards Cross Foxes. Follow the NCN over to Dyfi Forest and valley before up and over into the Carno. Pass through Newtown then up and over into the quiet Teme Valley to Knighton.
Head south keeping within Wales to Hay on Wye and Gospel Pass, Wales' highest paved road with its stunning views across the Wye Valley!
Descend into Llanthony Valley, opposite the Priory is Treats where you can get some stunning cake.
The final leg awaits to Monmouth and the Wye Valley once more; finishing off by passing Tintern Abbey then back to the Arrivée.
- Distance: 221km
- Climb: 3925m
- Finish by: 01:12 [based on 08:00 start @ 12.5kph]
Reviews
What others think.
The sun always shines on ... Wales
I enjoyed BCM so much in 2023, that I decided to sign up again and I possibly loved it even more! The route is so scenic and the roads are mostly great. Mach Mountain Road and the road past Snowdon are real highlights. I preferred the new nightime route back to Aberdyfi. Yes, it’s a long drag, but it makes sense to double up on bits we’d already seen in daylight. Gospel Pass was a fantastic addition and felt like a real achievement. The volunteers were amazing, keeping everyone fed and bedded throughout the night. And of course the weather was ???!
What a ride!
Fantastic scenery, amazing weather (again!) and loads of friendly volunteers. Really enjoyed the route (with the possible exception of the A470 slog!) and going over the Gospel Pass at the end really makes the ride. The sting in the tail across the valleys to Monmouth was tough but coming back along the Wye is a lovely finish. It’s a long night leg (for me) to Aberdyfi but waking up and knowing you only have just over 200km to go is worth the extra hours in the dark. Went better for me this time than last 🙂
A most amazing 40 hours in the saddle
It’s been a crap 2024 with weather, illness and fatigue denting my cycling. It was only my second Audax of the year plus a DNF two weeks previously. I turned up at the start at Bulwark and in a mere 40 hours was back just in time, having experienced the most amazing route, brutal hills, amazing views, great controls and superb organisation by Will and the ACB team. Kudos to you all. Recommended. Hope to be back next year.
Stunning
Everything about the event is 110% … The route is stunning – Wales in all it’s brutal, savage glory. The hills keep coming and the big, steep climbs are never far away. But the organisation and volunteers are amazing. I couldn’t fault a single thing. Without doubt, the best and amongst the most challenging 600s you can do!
BCM 2024
Stunning Welsh Scenery all the way round, fantastic route and really well organised, loved it.
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