Hellfire Pass & 50mph downhill | Brutal North Wales training ride | Prep for the Dragon Gran Fondo

This was my last big training session ahead of the Dragon ride Gran Fondo at the end of June. Lots of tough climbing in North Wales to test my legs before the Dragon, including the notorious Bwch-Y-Groes (Hellfire Pass).
My weight is down from when I climbed the Col de la Madone in Nice around 5 weeks ago, so I was hoping things might feel a little easier. I was very wrong.
The Bwlch is a BRUTAL climb - possibly one of, if not the hardest I've done. Really pleased with my pacing and nutrition on this ride, as I dial things in for the Dragon. For those interested, my time up the official segment for the Bwlch was 21:58, average power was 297w and peak power was 511w.
I hit over 50mph on the downhill from Dinas Pass with the brakes feathered most of the way - it's a mad scary descent!
Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video. :-)
02:02 - Dinas Pass climb
02:21 - 50mph descent
04:07 - Bwlch Y Groes climb
06:50 - Down to Bala
07:51 - Hirnant Pass climb
08:35 - Lake Vyrnwy
08:56 - Back up Bwlch Y Groes climb (from the East)
09:21 - Why I'm training climbs in Wales
10:43 - Down from Bwlch to Dinas Mawddwy
11:08 - Dinas Pass climb (from the South)
12:41 - Tall Y LLyn Pass climb
13:24 - Back in Barmouth
Strava link to this ride below:
/ strava
Copyright free music courtesy of TH-cam audio library:
75 & Lower - DJ Williams
Fonkee Ryde - Noir Et Blanc Vie
Immortal - NEFFEX
Rev - Eveningland
Sunny Morning - Bruno E
Turn Up Burn Up - Diamond Ortiz

[@greenvalleycyclists]

Wow Awesome ride. Those climbs look brutal ⛰🚴🏼‍♀ Great job!

[@hampshirecyclist]

Thanks - yeh the Hellfire Pass climb was a lot tougher than I expected - brutal is the right description 😫

[@stuartmorris444]

Great day for it Dave 😊

[@hampshirecyclist]

Certainly was!

[@thomasmain2212]

Gorgeous scenery. (I especially loved seeing the sheep!). These videos are wonderful. It’s like riding with you but I don’t have to work. Lots of inclines approaching and even exceeding 20%?! Incredible. Enjoy Dragon Ride.

[@hampshirecyclist]

Thanks Thom. Glad you enjoyed this video. I’m really looking forward to the Dragon. 😁