This climb was renowned throughout the 1970s and 80s as the most challenging climb used in the Milk Race round-Britain cycle race (, The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? I dare not look up and in a situation like this it is best not to concentrate on the finish but just live in the moment, trying to stay on two wheels, preserving forward momentum. South Africa's Cape Epic is the only MTB stage race classed as 'hors categorie' (beyond category) by the UCI, and upon looking at the eight days of riding . With the wind on your back, it's one that can be tackled in the big ring on a good day. Named after the huge old ironworks that once dominated this hillside above Pontypool, there's little to suggest the majesty of this climb's top section when you turn onto its lower slopes off the A4043 through Abersychan. Or should we be asking, how accurate? Now straightening up, the next stretch is ridiculously hard, the main problem here being just staying upright while either side of the road, sheep wait to see if yet another rider falls victim to the Chimney. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. The scene of a brilliant double ascent during the 2013 Tour of Britain, this iconic route out of Caerphilly also features as the final climb in the Velothon Wales loop of South Wales. A short flat section ramps up hard, then almost levels before ramping hard again. On the west coast of Scotland, Bealach na B has the most elevation gain of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level to 626m over a stretch of 9.2km. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. Arguably, though, he is best known as the author of Cycling Climbs series of books. The traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. The Most Challenging Climbs in South Wales, West Sicily: A Journey Through Ancient Culture & History, Wales: Cycling From The Border To The Brecon Beacons, Sweden: The Kattegattleden & Halland Coast. Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. Is it the suffering? This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. Passing farm buildings and trees, the road veers left, then a very sharp 25% right a taste of what's to come before easing as the last of the trees disappear beneath you. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. Its gradient maxes out at 37 percent, with an . Early motoring magazines often mention that editorial staff hand car manufacturers had been testing on the Bwlch y Groes owing to its status of a continual and sever gradient to one of the highest moorland crossings by a road in the UK. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. Receive a selection of the most beautiful climbs we've added. Apart from the few cars that travel this route, you're more likely to have wary, onlooking deer for company, as they track your slow progress up the mountain. Believe the hype. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. Through Gayle, the road flat, hugging the river, soon rises sharply for a short 17% lung-opener. With one and a half pedals and dented pride I manage to make it to the top to join Dan and Jess at the finish outside the water treatment works. Bealach na B is the one most talked about, as one of few category 1 road climbs in the United Kingdom. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. He was in north Wales pinching some of my best KOMs so I thought he deserved some punishment. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. Grid ref: SD 862 843 (OS98)Length 5.34km Height gain 323m Approx climb time 22 mins, On the eastern edge of the Long Mynd lies the infamous Asterton Bank, also known by many other names that I could not print here. Bath Something went wrong, please try again later. From bend two the road swings left, kicks up then eases back to rumble across a cattle grid and so far, so pretty ordinary but then, up ahead the road arcs away to the right and here it begins to look serious. You'll probably wish you were enjoying a sedate stroll along the fairways of the adjacent golf club by the time you reach the lung-crushing gradients at the top of this punchy climb out of Pontypridd. 1. Horshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) - 317m - 7 to 20% - 6.1km #91. When I first tackled Hardknott Pass in the Lake District I assumed nothing could ever beat that, but then a few years after I discovered the road up to Abdon Burf in the Shropshire Hills and my perception of torture was changed. In front of you is the Alpine-style Ski Centre, a simply awesome ride. Essentially every turn is a blind curve. There is still some way to go but you can click through the gears before finishing just after a gaping cattle grid adjacent to a small car park.Where Head east from the A435 through the village of Bishop's Cleeve on Finlay Way. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! Turn away from the village of Knock and begin opposite a farm gate. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. The top 10 hardest cycling climbs around the globe, all of which we have personally documented, are: 1. The Harlech Hell Climb event was held on the excruciating climb on Sunday (August 11), with riders tackling the 330 metre climb, which averages 17 per cent and reaches a maximum gradient of 37.45 . It never relents, never lets up until you reach the bend in the shadow of a rocky outcrop, you've still got a fair bit of climbing to reach the top, but it's not as hard now. After around 50 metres the second bend arrives where on the corner there is a slight leveling, Dan immediately heads to the shallower part of the corner here to catch a few seconds respite. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. Photograph: Paul White/Alamy, Scotch mist hanging over Bealach na Ba. Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. And yet it's easy to forget that it's also one of the toughest. It's neither steep or particularly tough, but the constant sequence of false summits can make it a heartbreaking experience for an already fatigued rider. Unlike national parks in other countries, Snowdonia (and other such parks in Britain) are made up of both public and private lands under central planning authority. This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. This climb is along the southeastern edge of Snowdonia National Park (established 1951 - third national park in Britain after Peak District and Lake District). The best advice for anyone heading uphill out of Aberdare - don't put yourself in the red too early. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. The bottom of the Abercynafon climb - note the 20% gradient, The open countryside of the Baran Road climb, The open part of the Bedlinog climb, after leaving the village, Looking south from the climb up the Black Mountain, The profile of the Black Mountain, from Brynamman, Looking down at the upper reaches of the Black Mountain climb from Llangadog, Looking north from the top of the Black Mountain, The profile for the Black Mountain from Llangadog, The top of the British, heading out of Abersychan, Steep inclines before leaving Aberdare on the way up Maerdy Mountain, The hairpin on the climb up Maerdy Mountain from Aberdare, Descending from the Bwlch into the Afan Valley, Near the top of the Bwlch, from the Afan Valley, The profile for the climb up the Bwlch from the Afan Valley, Looking up towards the summit of the Bwlch on the way up from Treorchy, The early part of the Caerphilly Mountain climb after leaving Tongwynlais, The steepest part of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from Tongwynlais, The profile of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from Caerphilly, The 20% slopes of the Wenallt climb up Caerphilly Mountain, The profile of the Wenallt climb up Caerphilly Mountain, Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana lead up Caerphilly Mountain in the 2013 Tour of Britain, The final kick on the Mountain Road ascent of Caerphilly Mountain, The profile of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from the centre of the town, The road up Cefn Bryn stretching into the distance, The higher part of the Cimla climb out of Neath, The steep and cobbled slopes of Swansea's Constitution Hill, The long stretch up to Crai reservoir from Pen y Cae, The view down from the top hairpin on the Devil's Elbow, The top section of the Gospel Pass, after the steepest parts, Climbing up alongside dry stone walls and mountain streams on Heol Lan, Looking back down the climb out of Llangattock, Looking back down from the top of Llangynidr Mountain, Llanguicke Road: Almost unimaginably steep, The views from close to the summit of Llangynidr Mountain, The climb from Llangwm towards Shirenewton, The climb to Llanwonno, shortly after leaving the houses of Graigwen Road, The forested section close to the top of the climb to Llanwonno from Pontypridd, Onto more open terrain at the top of the Maerdy Mountain, The profile of the climb up Maerdy Mountain, The Old Black Rock climb from Gilwern to Brynmawr, The relentless gradient to the top of Penrhys, One of the steepest sections of the climb up past Pontypridd Golf Club, Looking back from the top of the Pontypridd Golf Club climb, The profile for the Pontypridd Golf Club climb, The top section of the Rhigos on the north side, The profile of the Rhigos climb from Hirwaun, The profile of the Rhigos from Treherbert, Rhiwr Road is difficult from the very start, Looking back towards Monmouth shortly after leaving Mitchel Troy on the climb to Trelleck, The profile of the climb towards Trelleck from Mitchel Troy. A long, long stretch of wickedly steep tarmac lies ahead, hugging the side of the mountain, with a slight levelling halfway but steeper still after that. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. And it's so steep, close to 25% at the point where the tall valley walls disappear and the radar slowly rises over the horizon to sit above you, tracking the remainder of your progress. It's not too steep to begin with but as the road bends hard left at the base of an almighty tower of rock, then the gradient increases. Length 2.25km Height gain 298m Approx climb time 15 mins, If Hardknott is the king of climbs, then Wrynose is its queen; slightly softer at the edges but no less ruthless. But what is the attraction? Youre not going to forget the name of this route, nor how it makes you feel! After a few slight rises the road surface improves dramatically and stretches far into the distance, taking the shortest route over the featureless ridge. Windswept and remote this climb begins in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, and goes for 3.7 miles with a 12% gradient. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. Venture into Scotland or the North of England, and you'll also find some climbs to rival many an Alpine climb too, with England's Mont Ventoux - Great Dun Fell being a particular highlight. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. WOW - enough said! before our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! ) Grid ref: NJ 252 118 (OS37) Length 3.01km Height gain 245m Approx climb time 21 mins, This is it: the Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain. Bryn Du is a very steep climb in Aberdare, up Maerdy Mountain. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. This page provides an excellent and comprehensive summary of the top, hardest and best bicycling climbs in Wales. How steep? You'll find the top, most difficult, epic, scenic, hardest, challenging, extreme, inspiring, bucket list bike climbs located in Wales. The Road to Hell - 353m - 3 to 20% - 11km #90. The steepest paved street in Pittsburghand one of the toughest climbs in the USmakes the top spot on our list. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. My knees are ready to snap. Cape Epic. But we dare you to stand at Broad Pool, look up at the ribbon of road snaking up to Gower's highest point and not want to ride it. I can see why. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. Heres how it works. This climb has a maximum gradient of 24% and an average gradient of 6.5%. The famous hairpin means you've broken the back of it, and by the time you're onto the tree-lined final straight, you'll virtually be able to taste the ice cream from the van in the layby at the summit. Baniamr Aquabah Pass, 6. It is an incredible climb both ways but the road from Tornapress, heading north-west, is just awesome. The road to get to this climb is brutally narrow with thick shrubs blocking the views ahead. Then you hit the switchbacks, where a better surface is cold comfort as you grapple with gravity's pull and attempt to hold your momentum through these vicious bends. This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. From there it's a steep and tough push to reach the saddle of the pass. A pretty stone bridge over a stream takes you across the side of the hill, before a further hairpin spins you back towards the exposed top section. I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. Up ahead, eventually the final bends come into view, just as the gradient gets brutal on the long weather-beaten 20% slope that tests your legs to the limit. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Another climb with a fair bit of ascent to even get to the start. Populated by wandering sheep, the road steepens relentlessly, offering nowhere to hide as you click through the gears hoping to find a large enough sprocket just to keep moving. Taking your bike up a steep climb next to Welsh dry stone walls and mountain streams on Heol Lan is an experience that will stay with you. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Simon Warren for his books generally and for his contribution of Top 10 lists for PJAMM Cycling. Apagua, 5. Ride over Irton Pike and pass through Eskdale Green and Beckfoot to reach the base of the climb next to the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. He wasn't wrong. Bwlch y Groes (SW #91), 3. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (. ) TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. Photograph: John Morrison/Alamy, Warning sign near the Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire Photograph: Mark Sunderland/Alamy, Remote pass Bwlch y Groes, Wales Photograph: Keith Morris/Alamy, The road from Cockbridge to Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. Even though its very short you have to go so slowly at first. The Travel App includes many helpful travel tools, including: an itinerary, interactive map with points of interest and all loaded routes as well as navigation to each; a tracking feature that shows participant locations; records statistic for routes completed; post photos and text in real time to blog and map; and a share feature so friends, fans and family can follow you and your adventure on our interactive map. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britains steepest hill. of course, ride the toughest cycling climbs across the UK and Europe. In a way. On my first climb up Bwlch y Groes in 2018 I got a flat tire on my vehicle that was parked in front of one of these homesteads and was assisted in fixing the flat by the old-timer that lived nearby. These days, cyclists have it pretty much to themselves, save for the odd bit of local traffic. Leaving Rosedale Abbey, a sign warns you of the one-in-three yes, one-in-three gradient to come. If you want to share something you need to create an account. Eventually you'll bend around to the left and the battered, rugged road levels for good. I snapped my chain not once but twice in my attempt to conquer this vicious stretch of tarmac. Turn left after around a mile though, and everything changes. View epic images taken along the climbing route. A few weeks later I arrive with our photographer Andy, Dan and his wife Jess - a hill climb champion in her own right - to share the experience with them and get the local low down on this insane 700 metres of vertical concrete. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. Do not attempt to ride here in unfavourable conditions. A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble Abergavenny. Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. But amongst the legendary Welsh valleys, beaches and mountains found in the south of the country, where can you find the most challenging climbs on two wheels? Banking right, the surface breaks up and 20% soon turns into 25%. Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. Each country has her crowned Jewel and Bwlch y Groes makes a good argument for taking that award for the Welsh territory. A commonly held belief is that the name is derived from eryr ("eagle"), and thus means 'the abode/land of eagles',but recent evidence is that it means quite simply Highlands, and is related to the Latin oriri (to rise) as leading Welsh scholar Sir Ifor Williams proved.The term Eryri first appeared in a manuscript in the 9th-century Historia Brittonum, in an account of the downfall of the semi-legendary 5th-century king Gwrtheyrn (Vortigern).In the Middle Ages the title Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia (Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri) was used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd; his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr used the title Prince of north Wales and Lord of Snowdonia.Before the boundaries of the national park were designated, "Snowdonia" was generally used to refer to a smaller area, namely the upland area of northern Gwynedd centred on the Snowdon massif, whereas the national park covers an area more than twice that size extending far to the south into Meirionnydd.
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