The All Mountain Adventure Wye Divide gravel ride review
Read my hands-on review of the All Mountain Adventures (AMA) Wye Divide gravel ride. Discover essential route tips, key landmarks, and how to snag an exclusive future entry discount.
I just came back from an epic two-day weekend overnighter called The Wye Divide. Organised by All Mountain Adventures (AMA), this was the second edition of the event, and it absolutely delivered on the promise of wild scenery, tough climbs, and incredible community vibes.
If you are looking for a semi-supported challenge that tests your legs but rewards your soul, this is it. Here is my full review, packed with practical tips for anyone looking to secure a spot on the start line next year.
A little bonus for you: I caught up with Nath and Emma, the absolute legends behind the event. We had a great chat, and they’ve kindly agreed to sort out an exclusive entry discount for Bikes and Bacon readers as soon as signups for next year open up! Make sure to bookmark this page or jump on the newsletter so you don’t miss out when it drops.
Choose your format: Solo, duo, or weekend overnighter
The beauty of the Wye Divide is that you can adapt it to your exact style of adventure. The organisers map out two distinct route variations - a dedicated gravel track layout and a slightly modified version tailored for mountain bikes. From there, you can enter as a solo rider or as a duo, and choose to blast the entire loop in a single day or split it into a classic two-day bikepacking trip.
Because it is a semi-supported event, no camping is provided by the organisers. If you opt for the two-day format, you need to think ahead. The vast majority of riders hit the 100km checkpoint on Day 1 and set up camp in the surrounding local area.
The beauty of the setup is that everyone camps in their own style. Some went for full minimalist bivvy setups, while others opted for a bit more luxury - myself included, as our campsite choice even featured a brilliant on-site restaurant for a proper recovery meal!
- Pro-Tip: The GPX files are sent out well in advance, giving you plenty of time to scope out campsites. Don't skip the event WhatsApp group either! It’s the perfect place to coordinate with other riders. Whether you want a solitary night under the stars or a social pub evening with the gravel community, you can easily plan it there.
The Wye Divide route: Hills, valleys, and big elevation
Let’s address the elephant in the valley: this route is beautifully brutal. While the official maps are public on the AMA website, the team updates them closer to the event to account for active forestry work or bridge construction.
My computer clocked exactly 170km with a massive 2500m of climbing over the weekend. You will need low gears and strong legs to tackle these steep Welsh gradients. Expect long, rewarding forest ascents followed by speedy, flowing descents.
The off-road and on-road mix feels spot-on. It gives you the right amount of technical thrill on the gravel tracks, balanced by quiet country lanes. While the final 40km section flattens out considerably alongside farm tracks and cycleways, it gives you a welcome chance to spin out the legs and process the journey.
- Pro-Tip: If you are riding solo, save your favourite podcast or playlist for that final flat section. The lanes are incredibly quiet, and a bit of audio company makes a lovely difference when the fatigue starts creeping in.
A civilized start at Tiny Rebel Brewery
Forget the brutal 6:00 AM start times of traditional sportives. The Wye Divide rolls out at a highly civilized 10:00 AM.
For me, traveling up for the event meant facing a nearly three-hour drive on Saturday morning. The later start time meant zero morning rush. Registration, kit checks, GPS tracker allocation, and making new friends in the paddock felt entirely relaxed.
Even better, the event hub is hosted at the Tiny Rebel Brewery Bar in Rogerstone. It is a fabulous venue with an excellent cafe setup, making it the perfect spot to grab a proper morning coffee and breakfast before the briefing. After a quick safety chat, the trackers were live and we set off into the hills.
Riding the Wye Divide: What to expect
I opted for the two-day gravel route, and it delivered the absolute best of what real gravel riding is about. Think deep forestry tracks, fast fire roads, occasional chunky rocky sections, and pristine country lanes.
The defining feature of this ride is the scale of the landscape. As you climb through the massive local forests, the views across the valley are stunning. Make sure to pause on the occasional forest bench to take a peak through the trees at the River Wye twisting far below. It is classic, beautiful Wales (complete with plenty of sheep, of course!). On a warm day, there are even a few spots along the banks perfect for a cheeky wild dip to cool down.
The sweeping downhill forestry sections were my personal highlight. They offer excellent flow, manageable bends, and a trail surface that feels tailor-made for a good set of gravel tyres. I saw everything out there from narrower gravel rubber to high-volume mountain bike tyres, and everyone managed to get through the terrain beautifully.
While the surface is generally smooth, the hidden dips and occasional rocky bits can catch you off guard when you're seated and spinning. It's times like these where pairing a good set of tyres with a suspension seatpost turns a jarring bump into a minor ripple, allowing you to stay in the saddle and maintain power.
Two unforgettable landmarks
While the entire loop is a highlight reel, two specific features stand out long after the ride is over:
1. The Redbrook Bridge
The first crossing of the River Wye takes you over a historic old railway viaduct. With a picturesque pub tucked right into the side of the hill next to the water, it is an incredibly scenic spot that begs for a quick photo stop.
2. The Tidenham Tunnel
Cycling through the Wye Valley Greenway means entering the 1,000m long Tidenham Tunnel. Sweeping into a cool, subterranean kilometre of riding is the most refreshing sensation imaginable on a hot summer afternoon.
- Crucial Tunnel Strategy: To protect the rare local bat population, personal high-beam bike lights are discouraged, as the tunnel uses beautifully dimmed, low-level lanterns. It genuinely feels like you are entering Batman’s secret HQ!
- Watch the Clock: The organizers gave us the updated opening times of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you are riding the one-day format or running late on Day 1, arriving outside this window forces a mandatory diversion that adds significant miles and extra climbing to your day. Plan your stops accordingly!
Who is this event for?
The Wye Divide manages to balance being accessible yet genuinely challenging. The crowd on the trail was incredibly diverse. I met fantastic riders of all backgrounds and ages - including an inspiring 70-year-old lady who tackled the entire distance in a single day!
It is an exceptional option if you want to venture into your first bikepacking adventure. Because you have to manage your own accommodation, food logistics, and kit choice, it teaches you the self-reliance of multi-day touring without leaving you entirely isolated in the middle of nowhere.
You will finish with a massive sense of accomplishment, tired legs, and a big smile. The team at All Mountain Adventures put on an incredibly organized, welcoming event, and I will definitely be tracking their calendar for future rides.
Don't miss out on next year's entry
As soon as the new event dates are confirmed and I secure the exclusive reader discount codes for the next AMA signups, I will update this post and blast it out to our community.
Make sure to bookmark this page or sign up for the Bikes and Bacon newsletter below so you get the alert the second the system goes live. Spaces are limited, and after this year's success, they will fly!
