Song Cycle 2026: Choir Members Roger Wyn-Jones and Geraint Evans Take on 230km Challenge to Inspire New Male Voice Music
THEY DID IT: on time, in style, intact and in credit to the tune of £2501.00. An incredible achievement. Huge congratulations to Roger Wyn-Jones and Geraint Evans for the ambition in imagining this ride in the first place, training for it, planning it and completing it with precision timing.
Song Cycle 2026 saw two choir members traverse the choir’s considerable geographical region—stretching from South West England across to West Wales—to raise funds for a brand‑new commissioned piece of male voice music to be premiered in Spring 2027.
Roger Wyn Jones summed up the 3 day ride, ‘Battling headwinds from north Bristol, over the old Severn Bridge, past Chepstow and over the long climb before Usk, the lunch stop on Day 2 brought the first attack of cramp. But hot showers, pizza and Butty Bach put things right for the last day on the road.
There was a feeling of elation in the final hour as we came down from the mountains, past Llangadog and along the Towy river onto the flat at Ffairfach. The pedalling was over.
We have been overwhelmed by the interest from choir members in our cycling challenge and the words of support that helped to keep us going on the uphill stretches. We received such a warm welcome in Ffairfach to mark the end of the trip.’
Taking rehearsals up a gear
The Song Cycle 2026 challenge began on Wednesday evening 02 September, when the two cycling singers joined rehearsal in Siddington near Cirencester. They then set off towards the old Severn bridge, and crossed into Wales on Thursday, following a route that took them past Chepstow, Usk and Abergavenny, before pushing into the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
They stopped west of Abergavenny, then Friday’s leg saw the cyclists tackle the steep climb near Sennybridge before crossing the mountains into the Towy Valley. Their journey concluded in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo, where they were enthusiastically welcomed by the Ffiarfach group and, as planned, joined the choir’s Friday night rehearsal.
In total, the cyclists covered approximately 230 kilometres, linking two rehearsal sessions and conquering several challenging climbs – including one of the Brecon Beacons’ toughest ascents.
Supporting the Future of Male Voice Music
Funds raised through Song Cycle 2026 will support the commissioning of a new work for male voices, ensuring the choir continues to evolve and contribute fresh repertoire to Wales’ choral tradition.
Geraint and Roger extend a huge thank you to donors, friends and fellow choristers for their support. Donations received have now exceeded £2,500 which is more than double what was expected!
You can follow the ride as it unfolded on Geraint’s Facebook Story:
https://www.facebook.com/geraint.evans.545
(Click Geraint’s profile picture to access)
Check out our progress here:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/song-cycle-2026
And please support us in this imaginative and innovative endeavour.