When I first tackled Hardknott Pass 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. 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.
For a while there, I thought I’d settled it. I’d evaluated the merits of all contenders from Rosedale Chimney to Ffordd Penllech via Bushcombe Lane and Vale Street. But then came that bigger fish, then came a new vision of hell: Afon Ddu, AK A the Baby Zoncolan.
This mini monster was brought to my attention by hill-climb master and double national champion Dan Evans after I noticed a string of expletives in his Strava feed. If a man with legs as strong as Dan’s struggles up a climb then what chance do we mortals have? I had to go and check it out.
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 lowdown on this insane 700m of near-vertical concrete.
‘Avoid like the plague’
Denne historien er fra September 23, 2021-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 23, 2021-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike