THE SHELF

RUTHIN, DENBIGHSHIRE

Ruthin is an excellent base from which to ride the climbs of Denbighshire, which surround the town on all sides. To find The Shelf, head south away from town on the A525. Take your first left, cross the B5429, then twist left then right and you’re at the base. The lower slopes are gentle and climb past numerous farm buildings and through many twists and turns. As the houses disappear the landscape opens up and you’re faced with a couple of steep switchbacks that take you out of the towering hedgerows. The middle of this seemingly forgotten and gnarled stretch of road is gradually being reclaimed by nature, its broken surface being pushed apart as grass and weeds force their way through the cracks. What little of the road you can find to ride on – now very narrow with thick gorse on your left and a steep drop on your right – eventually plateaus. Finally you turn to the right and the end is in sight at the top of the brow.