Cycle routes near 3 counties show ground, Malvern

[RussellZero]

Hi,

I'm off to a horse show next weekend at the 3 counties show ground and staying overnight 2 nights, and will be taking a bike (MTB or road bike, maybe both). Anyway does anyone know of any good routes in the area, looking for maybe 50-100km for road bike, less for MTB. All suggestions welcome!

Many thanks
Russell

 

[Eribiste]

G'day Russell,
I'd go for a ride from the showground up to British Camp, then blast downhill towards Ledbury. Throw a left before Ledbury to go past Eastnor Castle. After Eastnor, in Hollybush there's a lane to the left that takes you across Castlemorton Common. At the T go left again which will take you through Welland. At the next 4 way, the second left after the Welland cross, go left again into Blackmore Park Road which will lead you back to the showground. It's only about twenty + miles, but boy, those hills! Hope you like lumpy bits....

 

[wxbull]

I'd also suggest going through to British Camp, into Ledbury, but for a different ride go towards Gloucester on the A417 for about 6 miles, over the M50 and after a mile or maybe 3, my memory isn't that clear there is a country road signposted "The Malverns", which goes through to Welland. You could also add another 10/15 miles to the route by going through Upton On Severn, lovely town.

 

[bikepacker]

I spend half my life riding around the South Worcestershire area one of the best cycling areas in the country. Get yourself a copy of the local OS map from your library and any routes you chose around the area will be enjoyable. If you have your MTB with you, the Malvern Hills are a playground for off-road cycling as they are littered with bridleways. Again an OS map with show you them.

 

[RussellZero]

Many thanks all, have some routes plugged into my cyclemeter now in preparation, thinking I might take both bikes given bike packers comments!

 

[RussellZero]

Many thanks for your suggestions, had a fantastic couple of days there, weather held out ok (Tuesday was very warm and sunny), managed a the same route twice, just 40k but very enjoyable, pretty much following Eribiste's route - http://cyclemeter.com/9d6837504e38f1a0/Cycle-20130807-1123?r=e
or kml: http://share.abvio.com/9d6837504e38f1a0/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20130807-1123.kml

Loved the climb up to British Camp, and the fact that once there 80% of the rest of the ride is downhill! Some fantastic scenery to take in. Im from the New Forest so used to seeing cattle and ponies around, but was a bit shocked by the amount of sheep as well as cattle roaming - no cattle grids either!

Many thanks again - back in the Forest now.

Regards
Russell

 

[Boris Bajic]

Suggestions by Eribiste and wxbull are spot on. From the Three Counties Show Ground there are several approaches to British Camp.

You can drop south along the B4208 to Welland and take a right up to Little Malvern (A4104?). This involves a climb that looks benign but is simply not. It is short, but it is harsh.

If you have a map, it can be amusing to wander off from British Camp along the B4232, Jubilee Drive, which you can follow down to Colwall and then back onto the Ledbury Road. The straight descent from British Camp to Eastnor is straight and fast, but the surface is not the best. Good for adrenalin, not good for the nerves (or the fillings if you run 120psi+).

I've cycled all over Europe and think these roads among the best for sheer pleasure and a nice, undulating, rural blast.

Have an excellent time and enjoy your ride.