Playing catch up again (surely not I hear you cry
).
Last Tuesday (27th): It had been a disappointing day with wind, regular showers and an almost wintery bite to the air that messed with my motivation. By the evening something clicked though and I found the determination to head out round one of my regular routes regardless. The knockabout bike was used, partly because it's got the dynamo lights but mostly because I don't mind this one getting wet if there were still showers about.
I had a good tailwind to Condover and to Longnor where a shower rolled through that was heavy enough to make me get the waterproofs out. That only lasted about half a mile though and I quickly got too warm so they got stowed again.
A pause in a gateway near Acton Burnell got a friendly wave from a tractor driver as he thought I'd stopped to let him past. I hadn't, but I would have done. It was getting properly dark on the way to Cound Moor and I had an annoying encounter with a driver who wouldn't dip (or has
really badly adjusted lights). No problem with the next couple of vehicles I met on the way to Harnage.
There was no flag flying at Cound this time. On reaching Cound Stank I had intended to turn right towards Cross Houses but being able to hear the sound of traffic on the main road from this far away made me think again, so I headed towards Pitchford then Cantlop instead.
I'd have avoided the A49 too but more rain as I approached Condover made me opt for the shorter and flatter route home this time - the traffic wasn't bad and they gave enough room.
23.5 miles at 13.2 mph average. I really needed that ride.
On my way to Ryton. I actually stopped to take a pic of the view to the hills but that came out all blurry so I offer this snap instead.
Concord College at Acton Burnell.
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Sunday: After the disappointment of not getting a ride in during the remainder of the week I wasn't going to miss this chance. I haven't taken out the Galaxy for ages so I got that out, loaded it lightly and headed to do the clockwise version of my Melverley loop.
It was milder and not too windy, so pretty good conditions for it. I had a good run to Condover then crossed the A49 a second time at Hunger Hill and into the wind to Exford's Green, Plealey, Pontesbury and Minsterley. The bike felt quite twitchy for the first few miles but once I was used to it again it was a joy to ride and felt quick despite the headwind.
The traffic was fairly quiet through Westbury and I think I managed to cross the Welshpool road before the weekend rush for home had got going. On the way to Prince's Oak I was feeling pretty good about how quick I was going when a rider breezed past me with great ease. I resisted the temptation to try and give chase by stopping for a photo instead.
I had another photo stop at Melverley then enjoyed picking up a tailwind past The Royal Hill and on towards Pentre. Following the signed cycle route to Shrawardine and Montford the pace stayed nice and quick but at Montford Bridge there is a hill to get over and I could feel the earlier effort in the legs so although I was still doing fairly well by my standards, couldn't push on in the last few miles to Shelton and Meole Brace
A really enjoyable 37.1 miles at 15.4 mph average. I mustn't leave it so long before using the Galaxy again.
Minsterley.
The view to the Briedden hills from the road to Prince's Oak.
The church at Melverley.
At Montford.
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Yesterday: I was busy in the morning but what I needed to do didn't take as long as it could have so the afternoon was free. A dilemma: Update my rides on CycleChat or get another ride in??? I chose the latter and because the legs felt better than expected, opted for a hilly one. The knockabout bike got used for convenience and I headed over Lyth Hill.
It was a bit more windy, apparently from the south this time, so I was headed into it initially. I was sheltered dropping down to Annscroft but had to work against it through the village. Taking a left for Exford's Green the flag that usually flies on the corner wasn't there so I couldn't get an accurate idea of the direction but it still felt like I was riding into the wind - I certainly wasn't as quick as I went along this road a few trips ago.
On the way to Stapleton there didn't seem to be as much traffic as usual (this lane can be a bit of a rat run at times). I was aiming for Wilderley next along a lane I don't ride very often. It starts off pretty easy but steepens on the way - I wasn't rushing after the ride the previous day and enjoyed just plodding my way up the hill and taking in the scenery. Just a couple of vehicles seen and a glimpse of a cyclist as I approached my next junction. I intended to carry on with the climbing so took Pease Lane up towards Picklescott. Somehow this didn't seem as steep as the last time I rode it...... until I got further up that is.
No chance of a pint at the Bottle and Glass this time as it is closed on a Monday (as are quite a few of the rural pubs in Shropshire). I took the direct lane to Smethcott which I had completely to myself. At one of the junctions a signpost for Netley made me fancy a change of route. I didn't turn at that one but a little further down the hill took a left at Walkmills Farm and toured the lanes a bit. It's been a long time since I last came this way but I did manage to remember which turns to take and ended up dropping down to Dorrington.
The A49 was a bit busy so I had a wait for my turn to cross headed for Ryton and very familiar ground. At Condover I decided I didn't fancy the stretch on the A49 (and I didn't appear to have the good tailwind I'd been expecting) so went the slower but quieter way over Lyth Hill. The right choice as the late afternoon traffic was getting heavy on the main road.
Exactly 23 miles at 11 mph average. It was nice to just amble round this time.
A moody looking view from Lyth Hill this time.
On the climb to Picklescott a streak of green dropped down from a tree and hit my foot. Looking down I found this little fella had hitched a lift.
Picklescott.
Highland cattle beside the road to Netley.
