"On Sunday I managed to get out to Llangollen to have a go at the Horseshoe Pass - 5% ave. grade but 6km of it - lots of professionals have used it in training and it appears in a number of local sportives.
Went at the early bit quite hard and was in danger of blowing up, and then came out of the trees and onto a long straight of 5% but daunting - must have been 1 or more km. That was sapping, but by time got to the steeper bits in the bend of the Horseshoe was back on top and the last bit was probably 3%"
Must admit I didn't see any of the 20% that is supposed to be the maximum gradient. Instead this climb is a long, low-level gradient that gives you the "opportunity" to go for it and then blow up. Tricky to pace right.
Event supporter Geraint Thomas has done the pass in 14 minutes 22 seconds - that's 6.3km for 311m of gain.