The Horseshoe Pass 200 comes back home to Peak Audax in 2023. This used to be a Peak Audax event when it was run from Holmes Chapel, but when Rob Kilby stepped down in 2010, Denise Hurst from Congleton CC took it on. After a break since 2017, this popular ride is back.
The spectacular Horseshoe Pass in autumn
We've slightly amended the route. We no longer call at Chirk Milk Bar, which is sadly closed, and we've taken out a long stretch of the A5 to reach Glyndyfrdwy. We've also taken out a busy crossing of the A5 at Gledrid Roundabout, which has got ever busier since we first starting this ride in 2001.
We've still got the climb of the Horseshoe Pass (of course) with the Ponderosa Cafe at its summit. We still ride past the Llandegla Mountain Bike Centre. We still have that terrific decent from Bwlchgwyn.
The ride starts from Congleton, and heads out through Alsager, Betley, Audlem and Prees to get to Wem. We then take to the lanes of north Shropshire to pass Colemere and Ellesmere. We even ride through Dudleston Heath which was on the original 2001 route. But instead of crossing the A5, we pass beneath it as we drop to Afon Ceiriog, taking care on the tricky descent to Ddol.
We then drop into the Dee valley to cross the ancient Pont Cysyllte, with its fine view of the nearby canal aqueduct. We follow the Dee valley into Llangollen, before tackling the Horseshoe Pass itself. The 'official' route takes the easier (a relative term) up the main road, but there's nothing stopping you from taking a short cut up the old road. Be warned, it's steep and includes an uphill cattle grid which will have your back wheel slipping if you are not riding fast enough.
