Cycling

Tour of Britain Cycling Challenges

By British Cycling

Published on June 5, 2024 4 min read

From Wales’ stunning landscapes to Greater Manchester’s urban towns, the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women will be taking place in the UK in June. To celebrate, our friends at British Cycling have picked out four of this year’s Queen of the Mountain climbs for you and your friends to challenge yourselves on.

Stage 1: Berwyn Pass

The first Queen of the Mountain climb is the classic Llangynog climb, locally known as Berwyn Pass. You start this 6 km climb from the picturesque village of Llangynog. Along the climb, you’ll experience a mix of steep gradients and sweeping bends, surrounded by stunning mountainous scenery. Once at the summit of the climb, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Snowdonia mountains in the distance.

From here, you can make the descent down into the market town of Bala. Once there, you can head around Llyn Tegid, Wales’ largest natural lake, before heading back over the climb to Llangynog, or explore the many other routes depending on how far you would like to ride.

Berwyn Pass on OS Maps

Stage 2: Horseshoe Pass

Stage 2 features the popular Horseshoe Pass climb as its Queen of the Mountain challenge, a climb on most cyclists’ bucket lists. To take on the climb, you’ll start from the market town of Llangollen. This 7 km climb’s popularity has risen due to its hairpin bends and breathtaking views down along the Dee Valley. Along the gradual ascent, you’ll enjoy a series of winding curves, lush green landscapes, and rocky outcrops.

Upon reaching the top of Horseshoe Pass, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across Snowdonia and the north Wales coastline. From the summit, you can descend into the town of Ruthin, where you can explore the local cafes and shops. Alternatively, you might choose to continue your ride through the beautiful Clwydian Range, with various routes available to suit your desired distance and difficulty level.

Horseshoe Pass on OS Maps

Official British Cycling Let’s Ride Routes:

Chester Ice Cream Cycle: Let’s Ride – The Ice Cream Cycle

Chester City Sights: Let’s Ride – Chester City Sights

Stage 3: Shrigley Pott Climb

Stage 3 features the challenging Shrigley Pott climb, popular for its steep and hefty 4.5 km ascent. To try this climb for yourself, you’ll start from the charming market town of Bollington, where you’ll cross the river Bollin and ride up Shrigley Road.

If you are looking for a breather, we recommend checking out St Christopher’s Church, a grade I-listed Cheshire church nestled in beautiful woodlands. Back on the saddle, you’ll continue the climb until you reach Shrigley Hall Hotel. You are now at the gateway to the Peak District hills, so enjoy the views! From here, you can either head into the Peaks to explore further, perhaps taking on the infamous Brickworks Climb, or head back towards Bollington via Middlewood Way.

Shrigley Pott Climb on OS Maps

Official British Cycling Let’s Ride Routes:

Rudheath to Jodrell Bank: Let’s Ride – Rudheath to Jodrell Bank Loop

Cheshire Lanes & Tatton Park: Let’s Ride – Cheshire Lanes and Tatton Park

© SWpix.com

Stage 4: Ramsbottom Rake Climb

Stage 4 features the infamous Rake Climb, a brutally steep and punchy 0.9 km climb with gradients reaching up to 25%. To conquer this Queen of the Mountain climb, you’ll want to start from St Paul’s Church in Ramsbottom, a market town steeped in industrial heritage. You’ll ride through the town before climbing up until you reach the Shoulder of Mutton pub. Here, you can celebrate your achievement with a drink while you enjoy the impressive views over Ramsbottom and beyond.

From here, you can easily continue to explore the lanes around the West Pennine Moors or head back down to Ramsbottom to enjoy its local cafes, shops, and magnificent array of heritage trains. Either way, keep your head up and enjoy the views over Rivington Pike and Winter Hill.

Ramsbottom Rake on OS Maps

Official British Cycling Let’s Ride Routes:

The Three Sisters Amble: Let’s Ride – The Three Sisters Amble

Worsley to Bridgewater: Let’s Ride – Worsely to Bridgewater

Want To Know More?

Keen to get on your bike but want some more advice and inspiration? Check out some exciting content from British Cycling and Ordnance Survey to help you make the most of your day.

Traffic-free cycling routes in the West Midlands

How to get into cycling

Top tips on using OS Maps for cycling

UCI Women’s World Tour 2024 – Stage 1: Welshpool to Llandudno, Wales; Llangynog climb
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Header image: 2022 Tour, © SWpix.com

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By British Cycling

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling in Britain. They encourage grassroots participation and support Britain’s professional cyclists. Find out more at British Cycling.