Ride the Clwyds
- 35 km
- 684 m
- Moderate
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 684 m
- 35 km
Route overview
Riders comfortable with moderate distance and climbs and mixed surfaces including gravel.
Loop ride from Gellifor in Denbighshire, 35 km with 684 m climbing on mixed surfaces.
The ride starts and finishes in Gellifor, passing through Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd at 5.4 km, Ruthin at 7.2 km, then continuing on to Llanferres at 15.9 km and Llangynhafal near the end at 34.9 km. The route forms a loop covering 35.3 km with 684 m of elevation gain. Climbing is spread over four main sections: a 6.4 km climb starting at 8.6 km climbs 316 m with up to 12.1% gradient, reaching 390 m elevation. Subsequent climbs are shorter with moderate gradients: 1.6 km at 4.6%, 2.5 km at 5.8%, and 1.9 km at 2.8%. The route’s profile ascends steadily in the first half (53% of climbing) and includes a longest descent of 3.1 km dropping 229 m after 30.8 km. The surface is mixed with 45% paved and 55% gravel or unpaved, and includes 11.8 km of track, 7.1 km of minor road, 6.5 km of path, and 6.1 km of quiet street. Main roads and major roads total about 3.4 km without cycle lanes, with 1.1 km on roads posted 80 km/h or faster. The longest stretch without cafés, shops, or water is 23.5 km between 7.1 km and 30.6 km. Amenities near the route include pubs at 7.1 km and 34.9 km, a supermarket at 7.1 km, toilets at 17.1 km, and a spring at 30.6 km.
Highlights
- Main climb 8.6–15 km up to 390 m
- Peaks near road: Moel Gyw and Gyrn
- Longest descent 3.1 km from 30.8 km
- Pubs: Feathers Inn and Golden Lion
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 8.6 km | 6.4 km | 316 m | 5 % | 12.1 % | 390 m |
| — | 16.4 km | 1.6 km | 73 m | 4.6 % | 7.9 % | 348 m |
| — | 23.8 km | 2.5 km | 145 m | 5.8 % | 9.6 % | 379 m |
| — | 28.4 km | 1.9 km | 54 m | 2.8 % | 4.8 % | 355 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 34% track · 20% minor road · 19% path · 17% quiet street
- Main roads
- 3.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- 45% paved · 55% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 37% climbing · 32% descending · 31% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.4 km over 5% · 2.2 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.9% at 10 km
- Longest descent
- 3.1 km from 30.8 km, dropping 229 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 24 km, from 7 km to 31 km.
Food, water and shops
- 7.1 kmFeathers Inn · pub · on the route
- 7.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 7.1 kmWell Street Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 17.1 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 30.6 kmFfynnon y Gweithiwr · spring · 150 m off route
- 34.9 kmGolden Lion · pub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 7.1 km — Maen Huail (archaeological site)
- 13 km — Gyrn (peak, 384 m)
- 20.6 km — Ffrith Mountain (peak, 378 m)
- 31.2 km — Moel Arthur (peak, 452 m)
At the start and finish
- Golden Lion · pub · 600 m
Practical information
- Mixed
- Loop
- 2 h 56 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 23.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 3.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 1.1 km on roads with posted limits 80 km/h+
- 55% gravel or unpaved surfaces