Dragon Ride
Margam Park, Port Talbot, United Kingdom
The Dragon Ride is one of the UK's biggest and toughest sportives, with more than 4,800 riders setting off from Margam Park near Port Talbot into the valleys and mountains of South Wales. There are four routes, from the 99 km Cymru Classic to the 298 km Dragon Devil, and the course climbs Rhigos Mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog, the same road the Tour de France will use on its 2027 Grand Départ in Wales.
- Date
- 13 June 2027
- Start
- Margam Park, Port Talbot
- Race type
- Road
- Course
- 298 km, 4504 m climbing
The Dragon Ride is one of the UK's biggest and toughest sportives, with more than 4,800 riders setting off from Margam Park near Port Talbot into the valleys and mountains of South Wales. There are four routes, from the 99 km Cymru Classic to the 298 km Dragon Devil, and the course climbs Rhigos Mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog, the same road the Tour de France will use on its 2027 Grand Départ in Wales.
Hosted cycling trips
Not around this race, but each one built around the sport.
Going to Dragon Ride?
We build the whole trip around the race: a stay near the start, the days before it and the ones after. An expert replies on WhatsApp or by email.
Hotels near Dragon Ride
5 stays near the start, checked for cycling · 11-14 Jun, 2 adults. Pick a base and we build the whole trip around it.
All 5 hotels near Dragon Ride
Where to stay for Dragon Ride
Stay in Porthcawl or Bridgend for the Dragon Ride on 13 June 2027. Every route starts and finishes at Margam Park, just off junction 38 of the M4, and both towns are around 10 km away, so an early start is easy whether you ride the Cymru Classic or the Dragon Devil.
Porthcawl, 8 to 10 km from Margam Park, is the pick for a seaside weekend, with the coast to recover on after the ride. Bridgend, around 10 km away just off the M4, is the practical base for a quick run to the start. Afan Lodge, about 10 km north in the Afan valley close to the Afan Forest Park trails, is a quieter option away from the towns. Pyle and Port Talbot Parkway stations are both within five miles of the park if you are coming by train.
Parking at the park is free but limited, so car sharing helps, and riders arriving by bike use the East Gate rather than the main entrance. Staying the Saturday night nearby saves a long drive before one of the toughest days in British cycling.
When to book
More than 4,800 riders and their supporters arrive on the same weekend, and early entries for 2027 have already closed, with every distance into its final allocation. Book a room with free cancellation as soon as you have your place, and make Saturday 12 June the night you secure first.
Dragon Ride: questions
What to know before you book a stay for Dragon Ride.
Porthcawl, 8 to 10 km from the start at Margam Park, suits a seaside weekend, Bridgend, around 10 km away, is the practical base just off the M4, and Afan Lodge in the Afan valley, about 10 km north, is a quieter option.
The Devil's Elbow is a timed climb of 1.8 km at an average of 10.3%, and Rhigos Mountain in Bannau Brycheiniog is the road the Tour de France will climb on stage 3 of its 2027 Grand Départ.
Entries open in stages, and for 2027 every distance is already into its final allocation. There are individual, premium and group entries, plus Macmillan charity places with a fundraising commitment.
There are four routes: the Cymru Classic at 99 km, the Medio Fondo at 153 km, the Gran Fondo at 222 km and the Dragon Devil at 298 km with around 4,500 m of climbing. The 2027 routes are still to be confirmed by the organiser.
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