- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
A slightly longer ride this morning, aiming to be back before it got too warm. I took the Galaxy this time and headed out initially on a version of my clockwise Melverley route but then extended it by heading round Shrewsbury to the north and the east.
I was setting out when the kids are on their way to school so it was relativey busy on the roads. I jumped the queue waiting to get onto the A49 by hopping off the bike and walking past to cross the road. Probably annoyed a few people stuck in their hot cars.
After passing through Condover then having to wait for a lorry at Exfords Green, things settled down to a mostly uneventful ride. I took a different way through town at Pontesbury and almost changed my mind about where I was headed at Minsterley (will save that for another ride).
One close pass from a lorry (a 7.5 tonner, which tend to have a bad rep anyway) at Coedway which was quite unnecessary as the road was clear, then a good run through Melverley, Pentre, over the hill to Great Ness and onto a new-to-me road from Grafton to Fitz where I nearly missed my junction due to not recognising it coming from this direction.
I'd forgotten quite how steeply undulating the Fitz to Leaton Heath road is. This and it being a notorious local rat run are why I don't usually ride this way but I felt like a change and it wasn't too bad this time. I'd come this way because I wanted to vary my route to go through Bomere Heath. It didn't really add much interest so I'll probably stick to the way I'm used to.
The approach to Hadnall is on nicely resurfaced lanes which is good. I caught and overtook a group of cyclists before the village, with friendly greetings.
Having passed through Astley the road gently climbs for a good couple of miles so it's hard to carry much speed. The road surface is quite rough too which doesn't help. The descent into Upton Magna was fun though - my only complaint being that it doesn't last long enough.
I got some good speed up on the way out of Upton Magna only to have to come to a stop for traffic coming the other way. Pah! There wasn't much of a wind today but it was behind me at this point which helped make up for it as I made the most of all the favourable bits on the way back to Condover.
Slightly over 53 miles for the trip at 15.1 mph average.
At Pontesbury. A bit early for the pub.
The relatively new cycle path to Minsterley. Could possibly do with a bit of mowing.
View up the valley towards the Stiperstones from Minsterley. I got quite tempted to change my plan and head for the hills instead.
Crossing the Severn on the way to Melverley.
Much later in the ride. Catching up with some other riders on the way to Hadnall.
The view to the Wrekin as I ride round the edge of Haughmond Hill.
I was setting out when the kids are on their way to school so it was relativey busy on the roads. I jumped the queue waiting to get onto the A49 by hopping off the bike and walking past to cross the road. Probably annoyed a few people stuck in their hot cars.
After passing through Condover then having to wait for a lorry at Exfords Green, things settled down to a mostly uneventful ride. I took a different way through town at Pontesbury and almost changed my mind about where I was headed at Minsterley (will save that for another ride).
One close pass from a lorry (a 7.5 tonner, which tend to have a bad rep anyway) at Coedway which was quite unnecessary as the road was clear, then a good run through Melverley, Pentre, over the hill to Great Ness and onto a new-to-me road from Grafton to Fitz where I nearly missed my junction due to not recognising it coming from this direction.
I'd forgotten quite how steeply undulating the Fitz to Leaton Heath road is. This and it being a notorious local rat run are why I don't usually ride this way but I felt like a change and it wasn't too bad this time. I'd come this way because I wanted to vary my route to go through Bomere Heath. It didn't really add much interest so I'll probably stick to the way I'm used to.
The approach to Hadnall is on nicely resurfaced lanes which is good. I caught and overtook a group of cyclists before the village, with friendly greetings.
Having passed through Astley the road gently climbs for a good couple of miles so it's hard to carry much speed. The road surface is quite rough too which doesn't help. The descent into Upton Magna was fun though - my only complaint being that it doesn't last long enough.
I got some good speed up on the way out of Upton Magna only to have to come to a stop for traffic coming the other way. Pah! There wasn't much of a wind today but it was behind me at this point which helped make up for it as I made the most of all the favourable bits on the way back to Condover.
Slightly over 53 miles for the trip at 15.1 mph average.
At Pontesbury. A bit early for the pub.
The relatively new cycle path to Minsterley. Could possibly do with a bit of mowing.
View up the valley towards the Stiperstones from Minsterley. I got quite tempted to change my plan and head for the hills instead.
Crossing the Severn on the way to Melverley.
Much later in the ride. Catching up with some other riders on the way to Hadnall.
The view to the Wrekin as I ride round the edge of Haughmond Hill.
. Nothing like a bit of marauding if you ask me. 
