Lots of things to distract me lately so I haven't got many rides in over the last month. I have had a couple of recent ones though and here they are:
Friday: I'd managed to get the bike out a couple of times for short utility rides but really wanted to get something longer in and kept getting frustrated by other things. One that particularly annoyed was going to do some tinkering on the Raleigh and finding both that and the Galaxy had punctures. A short window of opportunity arrived on Friday afternoon so I took it.
Just a quick run round one of my regular routes and I used the Hawk as it was easiest to get out. Waterproofs were taken as it had been raining on and off during the day while I was trying to work, however they weren't needed in the end.
I had a decent tailwind on the way to Condover which was good for progress but it didn't seem to hinder when I changed direction in the village.
It was getting into the rush hour so there was plenty of traffic about but I found more than the usual share of polite drivers and everyone else treated me well even if I did see signs that some were a bit stressed.
The road past Attingham Park has been surface dressed but it does appear to have been done fairly well for once. I expect it will make it more draggy on the downhill side of the road though.
Having headed through Upton Magna and Uffington I took a little bit of a tour round the town centre and was going to go from Victoria Quay through The Quarry, however there was a stage set up for concerts over the weekend and I didn't fancy the narrow path being used as a diversion so crossed the footbridge and climbed up Porthill, which I haven't done for a while.
20.4 miles, 12.7 mph average and 782 feet of climbing from this one. It was great to get out and blow away those frustrations from the week.
The view to the Wrekin from Berrington.
Roses at Upton Magna.
St Mary's Water Lane
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Yesterday (Sunday): It would have been good to get my brother out for a ride but having done a couple of long shifts beforehand he wasn't feeling like a ride - not even when I offered a pub stop.
![Huh :huh: :huh:](/styles/default/xenforo/smls/huh.gif)
I used the Hawk and headed out to do my own thing instead.
I mentioned recently about riding to Picklescott and being tempted by the road to Thresholds so decided to go for that route. I started out on very familiar roads through Condover to Ryton. There were a couple of riders here that I overtook, they were going at a sociable pace though to be fair. At the Longnor crossroads a rider came past at a drink stop and was only just going quicker than I was so I was tempted to give chase. That lasted a mile or so before it got a bit much on this heavy bike, then when I pulled in to let a car past he disappeared out of sight. I did catch up again just before crossing the A49 to Dudgeley and I presume he must have had a stop at some point.
At Dudgeley Farm I met a Range Rover at the narrowest point of the lane. The driver says "Good job you're skinny". After that it was all pretty quiet on the way towards Leebotwood and up the climb through Smethcott and on to Picklescott.
Starting up the lane to Thresholds I heard a large vehicle somewhere behind me and pulled into a driveway to let it past. The livestock lorry was very large and only just fitted up this lane - at least I wouldn't have any issues with vehicles coming down the hill for a bit. The climb was slow and steady - never too steep and the biggest problem I found with it was all the annoying flies that pestered me until I'd crested the summit. The views at the top were good and I enjoyed the descent to Stitt where I joined the main road to Pulverbatch, there wasn't much traffic at all and what there was didn't seem to be in a rush which made for enjoyable riding through the rolling scenery.
The descent of Cothercott Hill was quite exhilirating and I hit a new personal best top speed - 44.2 mph. Quite something on this bike and I'm pleased to report that it felt super stable at this speed. Towards the bottom of the descent I actually caught the traffic that had overtaken me at the top. The climb into Pulverbatch felt a lot easier going into it with a good fast run up.
I took it easy for the rest of the ride back - enjoyed the fast bits when they came, but not pushing it. Crossing Lyth Hill via Little Lyth just finished off the climbing nicely.
28.4 miles at 12 mph average. That new top speed of course and Strava claims 2223 feet of climbing. This was one of those rides that makes me feel alive. I really needed that.
Looking towards Caer Caradoc on my way to cross the A49 for Dudgeley.
A couple of views at Picklescott.
The top of the climb.
I think I might have accidentally cycled into The Shire.
More rolling scenery en route to Pulverbatch.
The view before I descend Cothercott Hill.