Cycling Powys: Riding the Hills of Mid Wales with Aelwen Davies

Mid Wales is a place where the road rarely stays flat for long. In Powys, the landscape rises and falls in long green waves—quiet lanes, steep climbs, and open views that stretch for miles. It’s a region built for riders who enjoy a challenge, but also for anyone who wants to experience cycling at its most natural and unfiltered.

For local rider Aelwen Davies, from Builth Wells, these roads aren’t just scenery—they’re a training ground, a playground, and a source of freedom.

Meet Aelwen Davies

Aelwen is 18 and rides for the British Cycling on the Olympic Development Squad, focusing on both road and track cycling.

She started cycling young because her dad rode, but didn’t fully commit until around the age of 12.

Since then, cycling has become a constant part of her life—something she describes simply as freedom.

On the bike, everything quiets down. No pressure, no distractions—just the moment, the road, and movement.

Training in Powys: Built by the Landscape

Powys is not an easy place to ride casually. The terrain is constantly shifting, with long climbs and technical descents replacing any sense of flat recovery roads. For riders like Aelwen, that’s exactly what makes it special.

She explains that the hills help develop strength and control—especially when training for climbing and descending. Time trial bikes might be useful elsewhere, but here the terrain itself becomes the coach.

Inspiration and Achievement

Aelwen’s journey so far has already included major milestones, including winning multiple British titles. She also cites joining the British Cycling development pathway as a defining moment in her progression toward elite racing.

She draws inspiration from riders like Evie Richards and, equally importantly, from her father—who first introduced her to cycling.

But inspiration also comes from something more immediate: the roads at home. Seeing major races pass through Wales, and imagining future participation in events like tours and stage races, adds motivation to every training ride.

Why Powys Is Special for Cycling Tourism

Powys isn’t just a training base for athletes—it’s a destination for riders who want something more authentic than flat circuits or urban routes.

What makes it unique:

• Constant elevation changes that naturally build climbing strength

• Quiet rural roads with minimal traffic

• Long, uninterrupted views across valleys and hills

• A sense of isolation and immersion in landscape

It’s the kind of place where beginners are encouraged to relax and enjoy the ride, while experienced riders can push themselves without needing artificial challenges.

Advice from a Young Racer

Aelwen’s message to new cyclists is simple: don’t overthink it.

Ride for enjoyment first. Fitness, speed, and confidence come later. In a place like Powys, that mindset matters—because the terrain will always demand patience, persistence, and a bit of humility.

Riding Toward the Future

For Aelwen, the presence of professional cycling and fan events in Wales is a powerful motivator. Seeing riders compete on roads she trains on daily makes the sport feel close enough to reach—almost like the next turn in the road could lead toward something much bigger.

That feeling becomes even more real with the confirmation that the Tour de France will come to Powys in 2027, with Welshpool set to host the start of the final UK stage before the race heads on to Cardiff. The same climbs and valleys Aelwen trains on will be featured on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.

And that’s the essence of cycling in Mid Wales: the boundary between everyday training and world-class racing is thinner than it looks. On any given day, the same climb can be both a quiet local route—and a step toward something much bigger.

In Powys, every ride feels like part of a longer journey.