I had organised to take Doug out to get some further mileage under his belt, however he got a last minute call wondering if he was available for a job in Glasgow, which put paid to the plan. So just me for the ride today then.
The forecast suggested a dry morning and showers in the afternoon which didn't sound enticing for a long distance ride so I decided to take the Raleigh into the hills instead and climb over the Long Mynd.
It was the usual route out as far as Leebotwood where I climbed up the High Park side this time. There was a stop on the way up to rescue a lamb that had got out onto the road but couldn't find his way back into the field.
The path across the top is still really rough where new stone has been laid. My suspicion is that they aren't going to do anything else with it which is a shame as it was possible to cruise across the plateau quite nicely on the old surface.
I stopped for lunch at the summit, and met a group of chatty walkers who took a great interest in the bike
, then carried on towards the gliding club where there was a choice - drop down Asterton Bank and head back via Wentnor and Cothercott Hill or past the gliding club onto the Portway and down Nutbatch. I opted for the latter, then wished I hadn't as the Portway was really muddy and rutted - nearly came off when a wheel slipped into one of the ruts and the mud will need cleaning off.
The trip back was fairly straightforward - the wind was light so even though I was riding against it I wasn't slowed down
, a guy hooted before overtaking which made me jump (don't think it was malicious - just a warning that he was passing like they do in some places abroad), I had to lower the saddle as it still seemed a little high after my winter adjustments and I got a fly in the eye near Ryton - that smarted a bit.
35.7 miles today at 12.5 mph average.
I passed through Woolstaston on the climb up to High Park.
Pole Bank. Not much in the way of a view today due to the mist.
There was a bit of activity at the Gliding Club, but no aircraft up today - I think the wind was too light for them.
After the recent rain it was rather muddy on the Portway.
An attempt at an arty shot on the path from the Portway heading to Nutbatch.
The view back towards the Gliding Club - it's where the group of trees and the white blobs are far in the distance.
Descending through the Forestry Commission plantation..........
........down into Nutbatch.
). Funnily enough the walkers I was chatting with thought it was new and were quite taken aback when I said I'd had it 16 years.
