My longest ever ride today!!
I set out with the aim of doing 40 miles for only the second time ever. It was glorious sunshine at 09:15
but a little chilly and so I opted for zip off trousers (as I thought it might get warmer later in the ride with the hills I knew I had to face) and a windproof jacket that arrived in the post this week
.
I took a regular route to Upton Magna and had a friendly exchange with 2 ladies and their 3 rather plump dogs that were lay down resting on the off road path by the Sports Village. The 2 ladies were keen on me taking the dogs with me, as they said they "need a run"! By the looks of them that was very true
. I also had a nice big thank you from 2 girls on horses, for ringing my bell and to quote them "so nice to hear that bell and not be snook up on"
.
After Upton Magna I took the lane to Upton Forge, with a short bit of off road and had to stop to take my windproof layer off already, as the sunshine was warm enough to outweigh the cool, but light breeze.
Upton Forge
It was then out onto the busier main road for about 1 minute and in that time I had 2 morons give me fast close passes
. The next section was up to Wroxeter and the Viriconium.
Viriconium
There was some fair climbing that I had forgotten about as I wound up the other side of Eyton on Severn, where the racecourse was preparing for the Bank Holiday Monday Point to Point meeting and by the time I had done the steepest part of the climb I was warm and decided to zip my trousers off at the knee to become shorts!
View from my trouser to shorts change point!!
I then took the busier road down into Cressage and a quick dash across the A458 and began the long climb up to Cound Moor. This section gets a gradient arrow, but I am not quite sure why, as there are far steeper climbs on the rest of the route to come, which don't get one
After Cound Moor I was onto new cycling territory and the steep climb up to Kenley. The area looked absolutely stunning in the bright sunshine, with the yellow of the rape seed, the green of the trees and fields, beautiful colours. There was also what looked like a small castle in the distance, but not quite sure?!
What is this building @Rickshaw Phil ?
I was glad of a nice bench that appeared at the next junction, following the steep climbing and took the opportunity to have a rest and a bag of crisps. As I was sat there, 2 ladies struggled up the hill and it turned out that 1 of them was the secretary of my Cricket Club!
I then pressed on and began about 5 miles of steep climbing through Church Preen, Broome and Chatwall. The views of both Wenlock Edge and the Stretton Hills made the climbing worthwhile though and the legs felt really good as I wound up the hills.
Fabulous Views
After Chatwall I took another road that I had not been down before, which skirted the edge of The Lawley and into Lawley village. This is basically 3 miles of fabulous downhill cycling, with gradient arrows, punctuated with 2 short but steep climbs. It was sheer exhilaration as I hurtled down and hit 32.5 mph. There was one section that was a bit bumpy and I had to be careful not to over do it and come off the bike here
The Lawley
I then had my 1 "moment" of the ride, which involved a squirrel darting out in front of me and then doubling back for more! I have no clue how I missed it and it must have been centimetres
.
I came out at the junction to Longnor and continued onto Ryton, where I stopped for lunch with this lovely view of the hills.
The sun had gone very hazy now and the breeze had picked up a little and so it was quite cold for the downhill section into Condover and I was contemplating stopping to put my jacket back on, when who should I see coming the other way,
@Rickshaw Phil and his brother who were out on a ride to The Longmynd (report above from Phil). I stopped for a short chat and also took the opportunity to put the jacket back on
.
@Rickshaw Phil and Doug
It was then onto Atcham and Upton Magna again and I could see that I was going to fall just short of my 40 mile target and so did a loop down to Hunkington and back to make up enough miles that I knew would make it over 40 by the time I got home.
The rest of the journey was quite hard work with the legs tiring a bit, but i thoroughly enjoyed the ride and with all this new cycling territory recently I am beginning to realise just how beautiful Shropshire really is!
41.25 miles (my longest ride)
1736 ft of climbing
11.3 mph avg speed
Edit:- it's 10pm and just noticed I have sunburnt arms! Need to dig the sun cream out me thinks!
and Doug was apparently very nervous of the descent.
