Cycling apparel brand, Rapha today launched the Rapha Film Fund, a program designed to help support creatives bring their life lived by bike stories to life on Raphas YouTube. The surface, just wide enough for a single car, is smooth at the edges but little more than gravel and moss in the centre. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. The route is found in Abersychan, Torfaen, where its lower slopes begin on the A4043 and then after a mile turn left and youll begin to climb through a breathtaking gorge. Grid Ref: SH 913 232 (OS125)Length 3.56km Height gain 385m Approx climb time 23 mins, A true monster of a climb through the heart of the Cairngorms, the road up to the Lecht Ski Centre is a simply stunning ride. Bryn Du is a very steep climb in Aberdare, up Maerdy Mountain. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. and climbs through roadside fields. The second bend here is so steep on the inside that it forces you far right, so take care. The sign reading 20% as you cross a stream on the beautiful valley road from Talybont-on-Usk is the first hint of the lung-busting effort that awaits you. This is apparent in books published prior to 1951, such as the classic travelogue Wild Wales by George Borrow (1862) and The Mountains of Snowdonia by H. Carr & G. Lister (1925). Not only is this listed as the #1 most epic bike climb in Wales and #2 in the UK, we consider it a Top 25 Most Epic World Climb - its THAT AMAZING!! Youre not going to forget the name of this route, nor how it makes you feel! The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. Saw signs of a moose, unstrapped and started walking down the trail and saw her about 100ft up the trail. Once past an axle weight sign the climb begins. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. 2. The superlative Bwlch y Groes is coincidentally ranked #2 most epic hill climb in Wales and 3 in all the UK. It starts from the village of Porlock and climbs an average of 10% gradient towards the top of Exmoor. South Wales needs no introduction. How many have you suffered on your way up? Essentially every turn is a blind curve. Constant variations in gradient make finding a rhythm a tough task and there are significant stretches in excess of 10%. I slump over the bars. Unceremoniously I hit the floor and proceeded to tumble southwards just missing Jess by millimeters (how she stayed upright Ill never know and sincerely I apologise for ruining her QOM attempt). Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. winding route from Hay you veer right past the turn for Craswall and over a cattle grid.The road steepens here for the hardest part of the climb.After a few hundred yards you are greeted to a fantastic view of Hay Bluff and . The gradient kicks up to 14% as you head through the Cimla area of Neath, before a descent the other side takes you down into the Afan Valley. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (SpeedTrackTails). North, as editor of the book Snowdonia (1949), states "When the Committee delineated provisional boundaries, they included areas some distance beyond Snowdonia proper." Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the Profile Tool button. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. I can see why. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. From the junction with Station Road, exit the village past the first 25% sign then the road bends left at a second 25% warning as if you need reminding, it's going to be hard. Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! Passo Stelvio, Italy. Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our. This climb is breathtaking and we will return and do this one again - its just that unique, inspiring and exceptional. It's a very tough mile though, averaging somewhere around 9% as it cuts its way up the side of Maerdy Mountain. From the long, straight opening stretch, the summit seems scarily close in distance, while worryingly far away in altitude. Bwlch Penbarra (SW #88), 9. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. Stick with it, as eventually the one-in-three does turn into a relatively gentle one-in-six, allowing you to build a little momentum to drag your bike up on to the moor. It starts steep from the village of Clydach and beats you up for a whole mile before easing just a touch. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. 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. Watch a gorgeous open up before your eyes as you tackle this country road that rises straight out of Pontardawe. 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. Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Having featured as a summit finish for the Welsh Nationals and the Tour of Britain, as well as being the signature climb for Velothon Wales, the Tumble is easily one of the most famous climbs in Wales. A while later the utterly horrendous Cowlyd in north Wales found its way onto my radar and again the slate was wiped clean and a new standard was set. It's that steep much of the way. Do not attempt to ride here in unfavourable conditions. The Cowlyd, 2. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? Leaving Rosedale Abbey, a sign warns you of the one-in-three yes, one-in-three gradient to come. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Below is a list of Simons choices for Wales Top 10 Hardest and Top 10 Most Epic. 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. My bike is creaking. After an age on the opening steep gradient the road banks right to plateau before a brief downhill. Turn away from the village of Knock and begin opposite a farm gate. 1. Round the end of Loch Kishorn and follow the signs to Applecross, up and over Bealach-na-Ba. . for this page: 100 Greatest Climbs - A Road Cyclists Guide To Britains Hills; Cycling Climbs of Wales; see also https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books). They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. It's very steep into a small woodland, over a cattle grid and then you will see the enormity of your task. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. When is the first day of spring and when do clocks go forward in 2023? 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. Even though its very short you have to go so slowly at first. The average gradient of the climb is 2.9% and the maximum gradient is 13%. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). It's mentally taxing rather than a top-level physical challenge - the four miles of climbing are largely gentle in gradient terms, but difficult because of the scale of the landscape. If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. Only two miles, but one of those climbs that feels like it goes on forever. Bwlch y Groes is rich in history and strong on inspiring, if not breathtaking, scenery. With this in mind, I put my eyes to work scanning the gradients ahead looking for any stretch of reprieve, no matter how short, where I can take a break from the infernal torment. 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. before our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! ) Named after the river beside it, the Afon Ddu (Welsh for black river) which flows down from Llyn Cowlyd I ask Dan how he first came across it. Top 100 #86. Increasing in steepness as it passes old industrial relics, the road winds its way up the side of a breathtaking gorge, with just a few boulders between separating you and the 10% gradient from the edge. Moel Arthur - 220m - 10 to 20% - 2.2km #88. The hardest part is swinging onto the six or seven kilometre climbs and seeing riders crawling up the hill ahead of you looking like ants . But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. WOW - enough said! Published 2 March 23. The maximum gradient is 13%. 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. Grid Ref: NG 775 423 (OS24) Length 8980m Height gain 623m Approx climb time 37 mins, Extracts taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs by Simon Warren, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Cyclist climbing Hardknott Pass, The Lake District National Park, Cumbria Photograph: Peter Oliver/Alamy, Cyclists on Wrynose Pass in the Lake District. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! Bwlch Penbarras from Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, The Road to Hell from Denbigh via Nantglyn, Llanberis Pass / Pen-y-Pass from Nant Peris. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. One of the hardest climbs in the South West (Credit: Mark Percy) Dunkery Beacon is one of the toughest climbs in the south west of England with 321m of climbing over 3.1km. Bedlinog Photos clockwise from top left: Bwlch y Groes (Wales #1, UK #2 hardest); Stwlan Dam (Wales #1, UK #2 most epic); Entering Wales in Llanymynech; Cardiff Castle; Welsh flag flying over Cardiff Castle (center). Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. In Wales cyclists can find 74 interesting climbs between 5 and 550 meters above sea level. At the end of this long stretch, as we reach bend four of four. Grid Ref: SE 720 945 (OS94) Length 1430m Height gain 179m Approx climb time 9 mins, Fleet Moss, the highest road in Yorkshire, is a beast from either direction but the greater challenge lies in the route south from Hawes. Inspecting my bike it appears my right pedal has partially disintegrated. Newly formed Denver Disruptors and Miami Nights NCL teams will make their debut at Tucson Bicycle Classic and tackle a full season of NCL and domestic racing, By Anne-Marije Rook For a while there I thought Id settled it. Who knows. The Tour of Britain tackled the climb in 2010, when Swiss Michael Albasini attacked up it to take a solo win in Swansea. Snowdonia National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) was established in 1951 as the third national park in Britain, following the Peak District and the Lake District. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble Abergavenny. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. View PJAMM Cycling's collection of the highest ranked climbs in Wales. There's something evil lurking in the woods at the top of this climb in rural Monmouthshire. One for the power climbers. Scroll down the page to access the full Top 10 Welsh Bike Climbs on the Map below (or switch to "Table" for a detailed list). . If you want to share something you need to create an account. There, in front of you, painted on to the side of the mountain and looking like a giant flight of stairs, lies the rest of the climb. If you want the privilege of having ridden the highest paved road in Wales, you'll need to earn it. Climbing into the Aran Mountains on the edge of Snowdonia, its a road of outstanding beauty rough, weathered and remorselessly steep. F. J. There is no dress rehearsal for this stretch of road, this is one take and one take only. This page provides an excellent and comprehensive summary of the top, hardest and best bicycling climbs in Wales. It is an incredible climb both ways but the road from Tornapress, heading north-west, is just awesome. BA1 1UA. The traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. Electric Mountain, 5. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (, Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-Y-Groes. I snapped my chain not once but twice in my attempt to conquer this vicious stretch of tarmac. The Rhigos is an altogether different proposition from the south, getting straighter rather than more meandering as it climbs. This challenging route is found between between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil and is a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. Wales is a wonderful country with great people, extraordinary scenery and EPIC bike climbs!! As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Tyla rounds the Blorenge from Gilwern, Heading into the trees on the Wentwood Ridge climb just where it starts to get really steep. By the time the open mountain top is reached, things are much more benign. Please check your inbox to complete the sign-up process and ensure you receive emails and offers from us in the future. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. The top 10 hardest cycling climbs around the globe, all of which we have personally documented, are: 1. The Hardest Climbs - The Steepest Roads in the World Bikes & Gear Health & Nutrition Training Repair Exclusives Subscribe Sign In 1 Five Black Women Who Rode From NYC to DCin 1928 2 18 Best. The three vicious ascents leaving Woodmancote all offer a fantastic challenge, and of the three it's Bushcombe Lane that stands apart. (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more). List of - 100 Climbs Total climbing: 21,293m over 322.75km. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. | 26 regions. 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. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. Have you tackled the toughest climb in your region? Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. Friends Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater have returned home triumphant having completed 3,300 miles and climbed around 50 vertical miles in month-long endurance cycling . Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. for this page: ). 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. Theres always a bigger fish. Thats what the ancient proverb says, and just when I thought Id ridden the steepest road in Britain, and put the matter of determining the country's toughest cycling climb to bed once and for all, up popped another hideous incline to further move the goalposts and redefine suffering. The lower half is a meander through pastoral scenery, before suddenly opening out onto exposed mountain top with stunning views of the peaks around Abergavenny. 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. Repeatedly, you'll think you're through the worst - only to be hit again with the next step of the staircase. If you can ride this, you can ride anything. Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. The Great Orme from Llandudno via Marine Drive, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Ty Gwyn Road. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. Here there is another leveling, a plateau of sorts before things turn from nasty to insane. Below, we detail 10 of the toughest climbs in the UK, and provide links to the Strava segments to help you plan your routes. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (The Guardian - Britains top 10 toughest cycle climbs). It is really tough to crown just one climb in Wales as a favorite after riding so many over our few weeks of riding in June 2022. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. I did warn him how bad it was but he was like, yeah, its just another hill. The photos in the collage at the top of this page are of PJAMMs Top 10 Hardest per the Fiets Index. You are eventually rewarded with a blissful flat stretch, but it's not over yet; round a left-hand bend is yet more 20% gradient, a final zig-zag and a few last kicks take you to what feels like the top of the world. 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. First built in 2nd century by the Romans, the pass is unbelievably tough from both directions. Cwm Eigiau, 6. It's a brave soul who doesn't find the site of the Bwlch summit towering above them as they set out from Treorchy slightly daunting. Three Cycling UK members have successfully completed an epic challenge to tackle 100 of the UK's most iconic climbs in one mammoth month-long road trip. The bike climbs we have documented are in the slideshow above. I asked. We believe we have located and thoroughly documented the Top 10 Hardest (by Fiets and by Simon Warren) and 10 Most Epic (Simon Warren) and these are accessed via the Map or List above on the Wales Home page just above this Climb Area Summary. . Llano de las Animas, 7. Thanks to Strava for the route maps and climb profiles. It then all but levels off as you pass various farm buildings, where the surface is broken and covered with the mud and debris from passing tractor tyres. One of the longest climbs in South Wales, the road through the Afan Valley is generally in an upward direction from the time it leaves Port Talbot, but it's after going through Cymmer that the climb begins in earnest. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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 . But I have to keep fighting. Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head into the Afon Dyfi Valley. You'll be counting each and every pedal rev as you slowly push your way up the scree-littered road to the summit. Having left the steep streets of Upper Brynamman behind, the road dissects the open mountainside, tussock-covered hillsides on both flanks. A little bit about Simon Warren - We contacted Simon Warren with our request for his Top 10 lists because we consider him the Gold Standard and cyclist with the most thorough and comprehensive knowledge of hill climbing by bike in the UK. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951. The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. Select a portion of the route to retrieve climb & profile data for that segment. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books) - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. Eventually you'll bend around to the left and the battered, rugged road levels for good. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. Let us know what you thought of this climb. The beautiful landscape of the Brecon Beacons. We have twice personally documented the Welsh Top 10 Hardest Climbs. Weve been crawling skyward for about two minutes, covering just 250m of tarmac as we round bend three. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline.The park is governed by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, which is made up of local government and Welsh representatives, and its main offices are at Penrhyndeudraeth. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. Thank you for signing up! Stwlan Dam. Now climbing steeply, this slither of rough road clinging precariously to the mountainside bends hard right to deliver you into a true wilderness. Where: Heading north out of Nantymoel in the Ogmore Valley. Grid ref: SO 983 279 (OS 163)Length 1.54kmHeight gain 167mApprox climb time 9 mins, Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-y-Groes is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales. Pen-y-Pass is the climb out of Llanberis on the A4086 up to the Pen-y-Pass lodge where several walking routes to the summit of Snowdon start from. Simon Warren (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, UK) ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! Length: 64.8km Maximum gradient: 13% Vertical: 1,785m Hazards: Heat exhaustion and death America's Death Valley is not generally known as a great place to ride. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN). Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Rounding the corner I spot our photographer Andy ahead and see he isnt in position. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. The climb up here out of Ferndale is pretty tasty too. "Take it easy now or you'll never make it." Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! Just keep going, then head down the terrifying descent. Luckily for us the rain was holding on our expedition. Riding alongside Dan with Jess tucked in behind we set off, all three of us understandably apprehensive of what lies ahead. The road levels slightly but the surface is cut up and damaged. 1. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. . Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. 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. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. Where From the bottom left corner of Rosedale Abbey leave the main road and turn south east on to Gill Lane, pass the giant warning sign, and head up. The first time I went up was on a mountain bike and even that proved almost impossible, however, once I got to the top I knew I had to return on a road bike to see how fast I could ride it, he recalls. 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. There's still plenty of climbing to do along the way, but nothing as ugly as the severe slopes that head straight out of Ponty. United Kingdom: England's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs, United Kingdom: Hardest and Epic Bike Climbs, United Kingdom: Scotland's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. Climb summary by PJAMM Cyclings Brad Butterfield - he climbed this one in 2018 and 2022. Pass through the village, over the river, turning right to find the base of Beggarmans Road and head for the sky. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. Another climb with a fair bit of ascent to even get to the start. This is the story of how he found it and just how painful it is to ride. When: March 20-27, 2022. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! 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.