After last week's mudfest I didn't want to get the Raleigh as dirty again so headed for the hills. The plan this time was to go out via Pontesbury and Minsterley and climb the Stiperstones before dropping down to Wentnor and climbing the Long Mynd.
It was nice and quiet on the roads at the start and I made reasonable progress over Lyth Hill and out through Exfords Green towards Pontesbury. Here the road into the village was lined with parked cars - a lot of people attending the Remembrance service which was just setting up by the war memorial. There was a film crew there too so it may be on the local news.
I pressed on and used the new cycleway alongside the road to Minsterley. Nice surface and it's a little raised so the view is better than from the road.
Getting to Minsterley it was just coming up to 11 so I stopped to see the service going on at the memorial here and take part in the silence. I was pleased to see how many motorists also stopped for the duration (there must have been about 20). Not seen that happen elsewhere.
Getting going again I was soon off the main road and onto the long climb up through Snailbeach, Stiperstones village and Tankerville. The visitor centre at The Bog was open and it was quite tempting to stop for a hot drink but I decided to carry on. I took a lunch stop at the car park for the Stiperstones where it was surprisingly warm out of the wind. I should really have put an extra layer on for the downhill bit that was to come but was lulled into a false sense of security.
I felt really
by the bottom of the hill at The Bridges but had warmed up again by the time I'd climbed up to Wentnor and proceeded across the Prolley Moor to Asterton where I took on the infamous Asterton Bank. I'd like to tell you that I made it up in one go but I had to stop twice to let cars past and once because I was now overheating in my fleece.
After a photo stop at the top I pressed on again and noticed a group of mountain bikers about to join the road having come across the gliding club. They almost caught me up when I stopped to pass another car but when I next looked back they were trailing in the distance so it was a surprise when after the next small downhill section I heard the whirr of knobbly tyres and one of the riders shot past me (with a friendly greeting). Having done that he only lasted about a minute before suffering what I believe roadies call a blow up, allowing me to pass again.
I next saw the group at the summit where they commented about me "not hanging about on that thing".
I was slightly less impressed when three of their number decided to show me
their speed on the way down from the summit by passing at full-pelt while I was finding a line through a damaged and narrow section of the trail . Not cool guys
It would be rude at a trail centre, never mind a public bridleway.
En route to the Burway I was greeted by the sight of a bank of fog being blown up the valley and over some of the hilltops creating a fabulous effect. I've got photos but my phone camera doesn't do it justice.
Descenting into the mist it got really cold and damp. Fortunately I did get the layers right this time and visibility was actually not bad - the worst of it was across the valley from me. I took a longer route back to try and avoid the roads I know get muddy and passed a microlight in one of the fields - not sure if they'd been up or were getting ready to.
A great ride covering 43.6 miles and I averaged 12.1 mph, which I know doesn't sound a lot but I'm really pleased with it for such a hilly ride.
Looking to the Wrekin when climbing over Lyth Hill at the start of the ride. There's a fog bank lying in the Ironbridge Gorge - hints of what was to come.
Minsterley and the remembrance service.
Up by the old engine shed at Snailbeach.
Further up the valley near Tankerville and looking back the way I've come. Still plenty of climbing to go.
En route to The Bog and we get a glimpse of The Devil's Chair.
Later on and I've managed to get up Asterton Bank. It doesn't get any easier.
Above the clouds today.
Caer Caradoc is just a hump in the cloud layer.
One for
@Donger who I know likes a road with a view.
Not quite the Alps, but it's a long way down from the Burway, and there's no barrier.
Back down in the misty Stretton valley now and about to head for home.
Guess I've got to up my target to 2,100 now.
