Hill climbs in Flintshire: Middle Mill Road

In the previous blog I wrote about some of the best hill climbs to test the adventurous cyclist. One of my favourites is a climb that starts just outside Northop on the old A55 and ends up in Rhosesmor by the Blue Bell Inn. It is hardly Alpine in scale, but the geography is markedly different at the top  compared to the pastoral landscapes at the foot of the climb. The height gained is only around 400 feet, but that does not tell the whole story of the climb. The ascent is not continuous, but rather a series of steep sections followed by plateaux, or even short descents. It took me around 16 minutes to complete earlier today. However I enjoy this climb not for the challenge it presents (which is not great for a decent rider) but for the varied topography and splendid views over Liverpool Bay. The terrain at the top of the climb which has been shaped by centuries of lead mining is equally fascinating.

The only way is up.