After a four-year hiatus, the formidable Devil Ride sportive is returning to mid-Wales this June. The event takes its name from the Devil's Staircase climb and Devil's Bridge - both features of the 100 mile route.
Last run in 2012, the Devil Ride was a premier bike event for Wales and now it's being brought back by cycling event company Rideventures.
"We're expecting 200 riders to set out on 18 June for a big circuit through mid-Wales," says organiser Andy Dawson.
"It's just over 3,000m of climbing through remote, high Welsh landscape - the views are one of the big features."
Starting in Llandridod Wells, the rebooted sportive offers cyclists a choice of two routes: the 100-mile Devil or the 50-mile Demon. Both routes offer full route support, refuelling stops at intervals and free hot food on the finish line - and of course, stunning scenery to ensure a challenging but rewarding day's cycling.
"The Demon Ride goes through the Elan Valley, too," says Andy, "so there's something for everyone who's enthusiastic about cycling in mid-Wales."
The Devil Ride is the second sportive that Rideventures have rescued from the roadside. "We revived the Autumn Epic from Knighton last year," says Andy, "and we want to get both Welsh bike events back to national prominence."
But what exactly are these two "devils" that riders will encounter on the route?
A bit of digging on Strava reveals the Devil's Staircase to be a fairly vicious looking climb a couple of miles northwest of Abergwysen. With an average gradient of 12% over 1.2km, the climb starts out gently but look out for a steep 20% ramp just before the sharp left bend at 300m in.
The time to beat is 4 minutes 40, but we suspect most will be happy to get up in anything from 7-10 minutes.
As for the Devil's Bridge, riders can relax a bit here - for once this devil is not a climb, but a picturesque landmark involving three bridges stacked one on top of the other. According to local legend the devil built the lowest one, before being outwitted by an old lady and her dog (you can read more about that here; food for thought on your ride).
It all promises a picturesque day on the bike, and you're sure to come home with a story or two of your own...
Entry to the Devil is now open, priced at £25 for the Devil distance and £22 for the Demon. For more details and to register, visit www.devilride.co.uk.
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