ON August 13 the TransWales Gore Bikeware powered by Mercedes Benz Vito Sport cycle event started in Builth Wells.

For the sixth time the UK’s only stage mountain bike event welcomed riders from 16 nations including riders from America. New Zealand, Spain, Slovakia and Nepal, to some of the best riding spots the UK has to offer.

The TransWales event will cover a whopping distance of over 500km and riders will climb over 15,000 metres allowing all competitors to test themselves fully and experience the best Wales has to offer.

The event has a unique character of combining un-timed with timed sections letting the riders enjoy the terrain and scenery before diving into the next special stage where every second counts.

After starting in Builth Wells riders made their way to Knighton for the second day.

The riders at Knighton were started by Town Mayor Councillor John Morgan.

After leaving Knighton riders were riding a total of 76km via Bucknell and Hopton Castle Woods and Lydbury North to finish the day in Clun.

The next four days of the event will take them into mid and west-Wales before coming back on day seven to finish where they started at Builth Wells.

In total over 200 riders will take part with up to 150 starting each day. Others will do just a few days.

Several local riders are taking part including Lee Monks from Craven Arms riding for Peace Cycles, Dave Price from Kington and Andy Jones from near the Welsh Birder.