- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Sunday: It was a proper summer morning so I got the Raleigh out this time and went for a spin. I have new bar tape on so this was a good test - it stayed wrapped which is always good.
I picked another route I haven't done for a while - an orbit round Shrewsbury - and set off towards Condover, Berrington and Atcham initially. I'd intended to take it easy for this one after the exertions of the previous day but the bike felt really good and I couldn't resist pushing it along. A club ride came the other way on Lyons Lane and there seemed to be an event of some sort at Berrington Hall judging by the number of cars parked along the lane. I swept along to Atcham and went pretty well on the slight climb past Attingham Park, witnessing a tourist trying to go in through the exit then realising and backing out into traffic.
There were more cyclists from Upton Magna (the cafe at The Haughmond was doing a good trade) and I was able to catch and pass a guy going quick on a lighter bike on the way to Withington (I know I'm not a racer so moments like these feel good). It's fairly flat to Rodington Heath and Roden so I was able to keep the good pace going. There were a couple of interesting classic cars on the way to Bing's Heath - a Caterham 7 and a 1930s open top Bentley.
Reaching Hadnall I got the first hint that I might have pushed on too hard earlier as my legs felt fatigued climbing over the railway bridge. They had recovered a little by the next climb to Harmer Hill but I took it a bit easier until Myddle. A driver coming from a side road looked straight at me before pulling out into my path, which was a little annoying. A rider that had passed me shortly before that had been held up by temporary lights and I was able to reel them in, particularly after we turned towards Fenemere and I had a descent to help. I only had the energy to keep pace though by now so I kept back a respectful distance.
In Baschurch we turned in opposite directions. The speed sign in the village triggered as I approached, showing 33mph - my speedometer showed a more realistic 17 mph.
The climb out of the dip on the road to Little Ness was a pull but I could tell the difference from the old cranks as the legs would really have been burning if I'd done it with them while this tired in the past.
I was slower on the way to Montford Bridge but managed the climb to Bicton alright then headed through estates old and new to take the longer but flatter way to Meole Brace. I was really running out of energy on the last climb of the day and found myself wishing I'd brought some jelly babies along.
42.1 miles at 15.4 mph average. Strava says 1300 feet of climbing. Great fun but I pushed myself a bit too hard on a warm day.
Unexpectedly found the RAF flag flying at Roden.
My favourite house at Harmer Hill.
The first ripe blackberries I've seen this season at Little Ness. The year is moving on too quick!
I picked another route I haven't done for a while - an orbit round Shrewsbury - and set off towards Condover, Berrington and Atcham initially. I'd intended to take it easy for this one after the exertions of the previous day but the bike felt really good and I couldn't resist pushing it along. A club ride came the other way on Lyons Lane and there seemed to be an event of some sort at Berrington Hall judging by the number of cars parked along the lane. I swept along to Atcham and went pretty well on the slight climb past Attingham Park, witnessing a tourist trying to go in through the exit then realising and backing out into traffic.
There were more cyclists from Upton Magna (the cafe at The Haughmond was doing a good trade) and I was able to catch and pass a guy going quick on a lighter bike on the way to Withington (I know I'm not a racer so moments like these feel good). It's fairly flat to Rodington Heath and Roden so I was able to keep the good pace going. There were a couple of interesting classic cars on the way to Bing's Heath - a Caterham 7 and a 1930s open top Bentley.
Reaching Hadnall I got the first hint that I might have pushed on too hard earlier as my legs felt fatigued climbing over the railway bridge. They had recovered a little by the next climb to Harmer Hill but I took it a bit easier until Myddle. A driver coming from a side road looked straight at me before pulling out into my path, which was a little annoying. A rider that had passed me shortly before that had been held up by temporary lights and I was able to reel them in, particularly after we turned towards Fenemere and I had a descent to help. I only had the energy to keep pace though by now so I kept back a respectful distance.
In Baschurch we turned in opposite directions. The speed sign in the village triggered as I approached, showing 33mph - my speedometer showed a more realistic 17 mph.
The climb out of the dip on the road to Little Ness was a pull but I could tell the difference from the old cranks as the legs would really have been burning if I'd done it with them while this tired in the past.I was slower on the way to Montford Bridge but managed the climb to Bicton alright then headed through estates old and new to take the longer but flatter way to Meole Brace. I was really running out of energy on the last climb of the day and found myself wishing I'd brought some jelly babies along.
42.1 miles at 15.4 mph average. Strava says 1300 feet of climbing. Great fun but I pushed myself a bit too hard on a warm day.
Unexpectedly found the RAF flag flying at Roden.
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It has been a while since he last got his bike out so he was a little worried about being too slow for me - I said that if I wanted a fast ride I can go out by myself for that, but offered to take the Kingpin, which is a more relaxed mode of transport. To be honest it hasn't been out for a while so this was a great excuse to use it.
When Doug suggested taking the shortcut through Allfield I was happy to oblige.
