HORSESHOE PASS

LLANGOLLEN, DENBIGHSHIRE

This is probably the most instantly recognisable road in Britain thanks to its unique shape. The climb begins just past Pentrefelin; the sign says it’s three miles to the summit, and it’s uphill all the way. A sharp beginning is followed by a slight easing then it gets steeper as you approach the Britannia Inn, then steeper still as you ride into a small wood. As the sky opens up again you bend left into the ‘horseshoe’ – gentle to the apex and then hard right. The sign on the corner reads 20%, but that’s an exaggeration – it’s tough, but not that tough. Sticking close to the left-hand side of the road, which is now lined by a bank of scree, you have to kick hard out of the large bend before it settles once more. It’s here you can cast your eyes right for that well-deserved sense of satisfaction; way below you can see the road you’ve just conquered. The feeling will carry you all the way up to the sign that proudly marks the summit.