Starting at the audacious Britannia Inn (you'll know if you stay there) , Horseshoe Pass eponymously curves around the valley. It's the mirror of Blackstone Edge as it bends clockwise, but the climbs are very similar with almost the same length and gradient.
Horseshoe pass has been a staple for the hill climb scene and is the final event in the WCTTCA. The climb isn't the most challenging, with relatively shallow gradients and very little change but it has some character. The scenery transforms from blissful forest, through exposed hillside into industrial slag heaps before settling on sheep hiding moorland at the summit. The chameleon landscape gives Horseshoe Pass some charm accentuated by being able to see the resy of the climb from the base of the horseshoe.
The hill climb doesn't finish quite at the top but at the start of the layby some several hundred of metres from the summit. This clearly for logistics but don't get caught out when racing it.
If you are just ticking this one off, it's a great way over from Llangollen travelling west. I've been up a few times and the views on a good day are rather pleasant. If you're feeling extra cheeky, there's a food stop called Ponderosa Cafe which describes itself as "we offer fast friendly service and great value for money." In 2022 I spent a transcendental hour there learning to walk again after shredding myself at the National Champs.
There are three ways up to Ponderosa, the hill climb side and then the opposite where the road continues and then the Old Horse. A few years ago I did a road race on the opposite side where I placed 4th having attacked towards the middle but got caught by three riders with less than 100m to go.
Whilst a tidy climb it it's own right, Horseshoe Pass was overshadowed in 2022 by the significantly harder Old Horse which hosted the national championships. Both climbs have the same start and summit but the Old Horse goes straight up averaging 12.5% for 1550m. It was a spectacular event.
Horseshoe pass has been a staple for the hill climb scene and is the final event in the WCTTCA. The climb isn't the most challenging, with relatively shallow gradients and very little change but it has some character. The scenery transforms from blissful forest, through exposed hillside into industrial slag heaps before settling on sheep hiding moorland at the summit. The chameleon landscape gives Horseshoe Pass some charm accentuated by being able to see the resy of the climb from the base of the horseshoe.
The hill climb doesn't finish quite at the top but at the start of the layby some several hundred of metres from the summit. This clearly for logistics but don't get caught out when racing it.
If you are just ticking this one off, it's a great way over from Llangollen travelling west. I've been up a few times and the views on a good day are rather pleasant. If you're feeling extra cheeky, there's a food stop called Ponderosa Cafe which describes itself as "we offer fast friendly service and great value for money." In 2022 I spent a transcendental hour there learning to walk again after shredding myself at the National Champs.
There are three ways up to Ponderosa, the hill climb side and then the opposite where the road continues and then the Old Horse. A few years ago I did a road race on the opposite side where I placed 4th having attacked towards the middle but got caught by three riders with less than 100m to go.
Whilst a tidy climb it it's own right, Horseshoe Pass was overshadowed in 2022 by the significantly harder Old Horse which hosted the national championships. Both climbs have the same start and summit but the Old Horse goes straight up averaging 12.5% for 1550m. It was a spectacular event.
2023 Event
After Hartside Pass, this was the first "proper" hill climb of the season. As is tradition, we were greeted with torrential rain, making it difficult to warm up and keep warm properly. I decided to keep in the little ring until I left the forest around 700m in. From there I shifted into the big dog and didn't change from there.
Being over 9 minutes long I wanted to just practice pacing, so I tried to keep it over 400W when it was over 6% and at high 300W when under. At halfway I was going well, averaging 407W, about what I wanted. The road curved left into a slight headwind but the gradient slackened and my power dropped off a bit to 380W. This helped me to save a bit for the steeper section at the tip of the horseshoe through the slate mine.
I pulled it back here to average 420W before hitting the 700m to go marker when, assisted by the tailwind, I could let rip to the line. I pulled out a big surge of 450W for the last minute and crossed the line in 9:33. I was pleased, I'd paced it consistently and averaged 405W, thereabouts my target. But I wasn't on one of those effortless days, comme ci, comme ca.
In the HQ later I was disappointed to have placed 4th. This was the worst result I could have had because I was so close to both the podium and winning really. Only 4 seconds separated the top 4. It's tough when the margins are so tight and this loss will be the motivation to keep myself focussed.
Being over 9 minutes long I wanted to just practice pacing, so I tried to keep it over 400W when it was over 6% and at high 300W when under. At halfway I was going well, averaging 407W, about what I wanted. The road curved left into a slight headwind but the gradient slackened and my power dropped off a bit to 380W. This helped me to save a bit for the steeper section at the tip of the horseshoe through the slate mine.
I pulled it back here to average 420W before hitting the 700m to go marker when, assisted by the tailwind, I could let rip to the line. I pulled out a big surge of 450W for the last minute and crossed the line in 9:33. I was pleased, I'd paced it consistently and averaged 405W, thereabouts my target. But I wasn't on one of those effortless days, comme ci, comme ca.
In the HQ later I was disappointed to have placed 4th. This was the worst result I could have had because I was so close to both the podium and winning really. Only 4 seconds separated the top 4. It's tough when the margins are so tight and this loss will be the motivation to keep myself focussed.
How To Ride
There are two sections which I'd class as key. Firstly, the start is steep as you pass through the forest. I would be conscious to not go out too hard here and save for later. Once you pass the cattle grid and the road curves left, the gradient slackens but you must keep up the effort.
It's very consistent, keep it steady and let rip as you pass the slag heap. That's what I'd call the second key point. The gradient ramps up here and you are only 700m from the end when you start to turn right.
From there, the gradient drops off and you can sprint for the line. The finish is hiding around the bend so you can go early.
It's easier said than done but as one of the longer climbs, you want to do a steadier consistent effort and pace it with the wind. Go harder into the head wind.
It's very consistent, keep it steady and let rip as you pass the slag heap. That's what I'd call the second key point. The gradient ramps up here and you are only 700m from the end when you start to turn right.
From there, the gradient drops off and you can sprint for the line. The finish is hiding around the bend so you can go early.
It's easier said than done but as one of the longer climbs, you want to do a steadier consistent effort and pace it with the wind. Go harder into the head wind.
My Efforts
Year |
Time |
Power (W) |
Placing |
2023 |
9:33.0 (Heavy rain) |
405 |
4th |
Looking up towards the finish.
