Bwlch Penbarras or Old Horseshoe - What's harder?

anto164

So i've done the bwlch penbarras climb a few times coming out of Ruthin in north wales a few times, and yes, it's hard, and it hurts. My lowest gear is a 34-25, and i can get up the bwlch OK on this.

I fancy trying the old horseshoe coming out of llangollen on my next ride over worlds end, but the question is, how does the old shoe compare to the Bwlch Penbarras?

deadhead1971

Done both hills twice over the last year or so and I'd say the Old Horseshoe is harder. Probably similar in steepness, but the steepest parts go on for longer on the old shoe.
Also, there's a nasty cattle grid in a really awkward spot - you'll already be tired, but you have to power over the grid to avoid slipping. All on a section of road which is probably about 12-15% ish.
The first time I went up it, the guy I was riding with (very experienced rider) came off sideways on it so take care.

sbbefc

The old horseshoe is harder but shorter however ive only done it once.

Padgie

Old Horseshoe....... Simples!

Wirral_paul

Yep the old Shoe is harder. The Bwlch is tough for a fairly short stretch up to that hairpin bend for sure - especially if you get to the corner and cant go wide to get around it, but the Shoe is more continuous. Worlds End is another that isnt too bad with just that 22% stretch after the ford.

Obviously they're all nothing compared to that South Eastern Alpine classic that is Col d'Box Hill

sbbefc

Inspired by this thread I went and did it again on the weekend, not as bad as the first time around. How does Bwlch y Groes compare?

deadhead1971

Bwlch y Groes is way harder than both!
Mind you, I've only done it once, and that was on the Wild Wales last year, where we hit Bwlch y Groes after about 70 very hilly miles so it felt extra tough. There were a lot of people walking up it, put it that way!

I blogged about it, and this includes my video footage of the day too, which includes a sort of impressionist section of the ascent of Bwlch y Groes.
http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/2012/08/wild-wales-challenge-2012-the-movie/