Wild West Country

Wild West Country – Brimscombe, England, United Kingdom

• Date: May 7–11, 2027

• Location: The Bike Drop, Brimscombe, England, United Kingdom

• Distances: ~750 km (provisional 754 km)

• Event Type: Self-supported bikepacking / ultra-distance road and lane ride

Wild West Country is a single-stage, self-supported cycling event starting and finishing at The Bike Drop in Brimscombe Mill, Gloucestershire. Originally founded in 2022 looping south-west England, the route heads into Wales for 2027, covering approximately 750 kilometres with roughly 11,500 metres of climbing across quiet paved roads, lanes, and the occasional track.

The provisional route crosses the Severn Bridge and passes through the Tidenham railway tunnel into Wales. Riders climb Gospel Pass in the Black Mountains before descending to Hay-on-Wye, navigating the Devil’s Staircase, and tracing the roads above Llyn Brianne and Tregaron. After reaching Cardigan Bay at Aberystwyth at around 300 kilometres, the course turns back inland past Nant-y-Moch reservoir, crosses Devil’s Bridge, and reaches a planned staffed checkpoint near Rhayader in the Elan Valley. The return loop traverses Clee Hill, the Shropshire Hills, and the Malverns before touring the Cotswolds through Broadway, Chipping Campden, and Stow on the way back to Brimscombe.

Participants navigate via a fixed GPX file and validate their progress using a series of selfie checkpoints alongside one staffed checkpoint. Riders are tracked continuously using supplied Follow My Challenge GPS devices. The event features a generous five-day cutoff, opening the finish line to both experienced riders and first-time ultra-distance cyclists, with riders permitted to pre-book accommodation along the route if they choose.

Registration and briefing take place the afternoon before the start, including dinner at The Bike Drop. Riders depart in waves on the morning of May 7. Entry includes live GPS tracking, a numbered cotton cap, finisher t-shirt, route manual, photography access, and carbon offsetting, along with community meal contributions through The Long Table. Full registration guidelines and route updates are available on the official event website.