LLANBEDR HILL

RHULEN, BUILTH WELLS

I rode the southern flank of this hill first, as it appeared to me to be the superior ascent. But after riding both sides, it’s clear that the north face is the best. Out of the junction that connects the twisting lanes at the base and past an old red phone box hiding in the hedgerow, it’s not long before your legs will be screaming. It’s proper bottom gear stuff down here – close to 20% – and the brutal bombardment continues until the road heads left and crosses a cattle grid. Thankfully the slope is now very gentle and at times flat, cutting its way across the hillside. Although through a slight dip round a left-hand bend and out from under the trees, the climb is hard again. Not as vicious as it was at the base, but a stiff test up the side of the barren mound. The views left are spectacular, so soak them up before you turn right for the push to the top, avoiding the marauding sheep, to cross the naked summit.