Another beautiful morning, with an easterly breeze again, to keep things from getting too stifling and so I got out for my first 50 miler of the year, on a route that I’d plotted last night, containing loads of new territory and plenty I’d only ridden a couple of times before.
Set out on familiar roads to Betton Abbots and Atcham, where it was already thronged with cars and people setting up on the shale beaches that have formed, from the River Severn being so low.
Next was Berwick Wharf, Upton Magna, East Haughmond and, with the wind behind me, a nice descent to Astley. Easy crossing the A53 and onto lanes to Hadnall, passing the Salopian Brewery, then the new territory started, along Plex Road and a bit of climbing up to Harmer Hill. There I crossed directly over the 2 main roads and followed Lower Rd, which was an absolute delight. Smooth surface, but mainly amazing scenery, as there are a series of Rockhouses, with lovely newer houses built under them, just before Myddle Wood. Never knew they were there and really enjoyed seeing them.
At Myddle, I turned onto the main road, towards Marton and had the easterly wind directly behind me along 2 or 3 miles of downhill and flat, with hardly a car seen. Absolutely lovely to cruise along at 20 to 25mph, with no effort needed.
At Marton, I turned off and continued on more new territory, following lanes to Weston Lullingfields, Bagley and Hordley. It was an absolute delight to cycle along there, with amazing views over to the Berwyn Mountains, in Wales, not a single car seen for goodness knows how many miles, the wind behind me and with the sunshine and dryness, it could have passed for Greece!
This was the view towards The Berwyn Mountains, in the distance.
View attachment 526565
Continued on, to Rednal, then paused for lunch in a field entrance, before climbing up and then dropping down to West Felton, Woolston and Osbaston. I turned into the wind, there and it was a bit gusty at times, for the remainder of the ride, really.
Short section on the main road, to Knockin, but then back onto lanes, firstly past the cricket club, where there were a few chaps mowing the square and preparing things in the hope that some cricket can be played this year, then to Kinnerley, Edgerley and Pentre.
At Royal Hill, I went past the pub, which is one of my favourites and it was sad to see it all shut up, on the sort of day it would normally be so busy, following NCN route 81 to Pentre, Shrawardine and Montford Bridge.
The climb on the main road, towards Bicton, was hard, on tired legs and into the wind, then we all had to quickly get off the road, to let an ambulance through. It was busy along there and so I decided to turn up Calcott Lane, then head through Gains Park, Radbrook and Meole Brace, to get home.
52.23 miles and one of the most enjoyable rides I have done for a long long while. I will definitely be back to those picturesque lanes, North of Shrewsbury, which must be done in a westerly direction, to get the amazing views.
Today’s ride also made it 359.1 miles, for May, over 120 miles more than my previous monthly record! What a month for cycling.
when the village gets mentioned
700 miles completely wrecked my undercarriage!
