Legendary Roads of Wales Tour
Ride the Roads That Became Legends
Some roads are simply a way of getting from one place to another.
Others become part of motoring folklore.
Across Wales there is a collection of roads that have earned legendary status among enthusiasts, journalists and professional vehicle testers. These are the roads that appear time and again in motoring features, motorcycle reviews and performance tests because they offer something very special — a true test of a machine and a memorable experience for the rider.
From sweeping mountain passes to flowing valley roads, these routes combine everything that makes great riding and driving roads:
A sequence of challenging bends
Changes in elevation
Excellent visibility
Varied surfaces
Dramatic scenery
A natural rhythm that allows a vehicle or motorcycle to be properly experienced
These are the roads where journalists from publications such as evo Magazine, RiDE, Bike, MCN and Hagerty have tested motorcycles and cars, where manufacturers have launched new models, and where professional testers have searched for those moments that reveal the true character of a machine.
Limited to a maximum of 6 riders.
Why Do The Motoring Press Choose Wales?
A great test road needs more than just corners.
It needs variety.
A motorcycle that feels impressive on a short stretch of perfect tarmac may reveal very little about itself. The best roads challenge every part of the machine and rider:
How does it handle a series of flowing bends?
How does the suspension respond when the surface changes?
How does the engine deliver power when the road opens up?
How confident does the rider feel when the road starts to climb?
Wales provides all of this in one spectacular environment.
Within a relatively small area, riders can experience fast open sweepers, technical mountain sections, dramatic climbs and flowing countryside roads that seem to have been designed with motorcycles in mind.
Roads With A Reputation
Names such as the Evo Triangle, B4391, Elan Valley, Black Mountain Pass and Horseshoe Pass are familiar to many enthusiasts.
They have become famous not because they are necessarily the fastest roads, but because they deliver an experience.
They encourage smooth riding.
They reward good observation.
They allow a rider to understand the motorcycle beneath them.
They create those rare moments when the machine, the road and the landscape all come together.
That is what makes a road legendary.
Suitable Motorcycles
This tour is suitable for all road-going motorcycles including:
Adventure bikes
Sports bikes
Touring motorcycles
Naked bikes
Classic motorcycles
Cruisers
The route is designed around enjoyment, comfort and smooth progress rather than outright mileage.
Experience The Roads For Yourself
Watching a television programme or reading a magazine feature can introduce you to these roads, but nothing compares to experiencing them from the saddle.
Feeling the road rise and fall beneath the motorcycle.
Seeing the landscape open up around the next bend.
Understanding why professional testers return to these routes time after time.
The SmoothRider Legendary Roads of Wales Tour has been created to allow riders to experience these iconic routes for themselves.
Not as a race.
Not as a challenge to collect famous roads.
But as an opportunity to enjoy some of Britain's greatest motorcycle roads in the way they were meant to be ridden — smoothly, confidently and with appreciation for the journey.
The roads have become legendary for a reason. Now it's your turn to ride them.
Day One
Day One
The Legendary Roads of North Wales
Starbucks Battlefield
Meet
08:30
Briefing
09:00
Route
Battlefield
Welshpool
Llanfair Caereinion
Lake Vyrnwy
Bala
Coffee Stop
Bala
The B4391
One of Britain's greatest motorcycle roads.
Often featured by:
evo Magazine
Performance car journalists
Motorcycle press
Fast flowing corners.
Excellent visibility.
Beautiful scenery.
Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Betws-y-Coed
Lunch
Betws-y-Coed
The Evo Triangle
Perhaps Britain's most famous driving road.
Ride the complete triangle including:
Cerrigydrudion
Pentrefoelas
Llyn Brenig
A road made famous by:
Top Gear
evo
Hagerty
Henry Catchpole
Chris Harris
Countless manufacturer press launches
Afternoon Coffee
Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre
Continue through
Ruthin
Llangollen
Return
Shrewsbury
Approx 225 miles
Day Two
Day Two
The Legendary Roads of Mid Wales
Depart
08:30
Route
Shrewsbury
Bishop's Castle
Newtown
Crossgates
Rhayader
Coffee Stop
Rhayader
Elan Valley
One of Britain's great riding roads.
Reservoirs
Mountain scenery
Fast sweeping bends
Roads regularly used by:
Hagerty
Practical Performance Car
Motorcycle magazines
Professional road testers
Continue
Devil's Bridge
Pontrhydfendigaid
Machynlleth
Lunch
Machynlleth
The Dyfi Valley
Continue toward
Dinas Mawddwy
Bwlch-y-Groes
One of Wales' highest mountain roads.
Technical.
Beautiful.
Rarely forgotten.
Continue
Lake Vyrnwy
Welshpool
Shrewsbury
Approx 235 miles
SmoothRider Principle
The weather does not decide whether you can ride. Your preparation does.
The best riders are not those who only ride in perfect conditions.
They are the ones who understand their environment, adapt their technique and make intelligent decisions.
Because the reward for riding when others stay at home is discovering a side of motorcycling they never experience.
Included in Your Experience
✔ Two full days of guided motorcycle touring
✔ Professional SmoothRider mentoring throughout
✔ Rider briefing and preparation assessment
✔ Weather and route planning discussion
✔ Coaching on riding in changing conditions
✔ Individual riding feedback
✔ Daily rider debriefs
✔ Carefully planned Four Seasons route
✔ Expert knowledge of Welsh roads
✔ GPX route files
✔ Scenic refreshment stops
✔ Digital photographs
✔ SmoothRider Adventure completion certificate
Not Included
Accommodation
Breakfast, lunch and evening meals
Fuel
Personal expenses
Motorcycle insurance
Riding Level
Intermediate Riders and Above
You should be comfortable with:
✔ Full days in the saddle
✔ Country and mountain roads
✔ Variable weather conditions
✔ Riding unfamiliar routes
The emphasis is on developing confidence and enjoying the experience.
Tour Highlights
✔ The Evo Triangle
✔ B4391
✔ Elan Valley
✔ Lake Vyrnwy
✔ Bwlch-y-Groes
✔ Dyfi Valley
✔ Horseshoe Pass (time permitting)
✔ Betws-y-Coed
✔ Devil's Bridge
✔ Welsh mountain passes
Group Size
Maximum 6 riders
The small group format ensures:
✔ Individual rider attention
✔ Personal coaching throughout the tour
✔ Better group flow
✔ More opportunities for feedback
✔ Flexibility to adapt to conditions
