Epic Cymru set for re-route to avoid sheep herding!

Planning for the brand new five-day mountain bike race, Epic Cymru - due to take place across South Wales from 15 - 19 August - has been (temporarily) hampered… due to sheep herding!

Having secured the venue and course route some months ago, attracting confirmed top level endurance mountain bikers from across the globe, race organisers A Cycling were certain to debut another successful event.

However, as plans developed, the manager of an Estate the race was meant to cross raised a concern, seemingly following a misunderstanding over dates; "I am really sorry to say that we won't be able to let you come across the Estate. I had, mistakenly, been under the impression that we were talking about a weekend in our initial conversation. We are gathering the hills during that week and so need to have full access to the roads - without any chance of sheep being disturbed by anyone other than our shepherds and their dogs."

Epic Cymru publicist, Dion Clements, comments, "It appears the plans to bring this tough new and challenging mountain bike race to the UK – which has already drawn hundreds of competitors to race daily routes of up to 70km across some of the best and most famous trails in South Wales – have been foiled by some sheep."

However, Dion continued, "But we're delighted to say that plans to secure an alternative, improved and logistically more convenient course are already well underway, the event will still go ahead, and details will be revealed within the next week or so."

Epic Cymru is a multi-stage race and will encompass several styles of riding and is aimed at the entire spectrum of riders, from Cross Country (XC) to Enduro and Downhill, appealing to the 'weekend warrior' as much as the Pro-Elite stars, with riders entering from around the world in order to challenge themselves in what is expected to be one the UK's most demanding bike races.

After phase one's release of race-places disappeared within two hours, including to Pro-Elite riders such as US racers Mark Weir and Jason Moeschler (both with Team WTB) and UK racer and renowned trail developer Rowan Sorrell, phase two of the tickets – an additional 125 places – attracted riders from as far afield as Asia, South Africa, North America and multiple European countries.

Epic Cymru will include a heady mix of trail-centre riding and natural riding, including BikePark Wales as well as areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The race format will including timed sections and linking sections over five days, with riders will competing over 18 timed sections, with separate XC and Downhill sections. Stage distances will be a manageable - but still challenging - 45-75km, with an emphasis on providing fun, technical and fast riding throughout.

Full details are available at: www.epiccymru.com