Yesterday: I've had a busy month so hadn't been able to get my Challenge ride done yet for February. I'd eyed up Monday as the day but the forecast the night before didn't look as promising as it had been. Fortunately I was able to postpone until Tuesday, which was just as well as I would have got drenched.
With the wind direction that was forecast, a repeat of the January route seemed the best option. I did however have to make some changes as the amount of rain we'd had meant that the roads round Melverley were likely to be flooded. My best guess was that I needed about 10 miles extra to make up the difference in distance and set out just before 7am to cross Lyth Hill, do a loop through Condover to Wheathall, Berriewood and Cantlop before heading into Shrewsbury via Weeping Cross and the cycle path along the old railway trackbed. I had 11 miles in hand by Weeping Cross which I was happy with. Next I had a choice of riding through The Quarry or heading for Roman Road - The Quarry might have flooding, but if I headed to Roman Road I'd have to mix it with all kids heading to the two biggest schools in town, so I took the former option and it worked out as the river was high but not over the path.
On the way out of town there was quite the queue of traffic heading the other way so I was glad not to be mixed up in that lot. Just past the top of the climb at Bicton there were some workmen setting up to do something just across the road - I wasn't overly happy when one of them waved traffic past their parked transit and directly into my path. Looks like I don't count as a vehicle.
I overtook a runner shortly after turning off the main road and he came past me when I stopped at Montford for my snack stop. We met for a third time at the next junction where he was turning to head back. From there the riding was uneventful and taken at a steady pace to Pentre, Kinnerley and Knockin, where I couldn't resist going slightly out of the way to get a snapshot of the famous shop. It's been a long while since I last rode into Oswestry via Maesbury Marsh - this road wasn't too busy, which I was grateful for, then I headed into Oswestry using the nice quiet Weston Lane. No stop in the town centre this time but I did pause by the ancient hill fort for a bit of water before continuing to Gobowen.
As hoped, this was where I picked up a decent tailwind which made the riding seem a lot easier heading towards Ellesmere. The lanes that make up the official cycle route were busier than I'm used to this time and aren't in the best condition. I thought I'd take a detour to avoid the worst bit so used some lanes I've never been along before to Criftins. There were quite a few nice properties round this village. My map reading was good and I came out just where I intended to.... only to find a flood to splash through that I'd forgotten about from last time.
I was making good progress this time so decided not to have a stop in Ellesmere but carried on to Lee, Spunhill, Colemere and Lyneal. Like last time, the legs started to complain that they were being overworked on this section but after getting over the climb to Colemere it was pretty flat and with that wind helping I soon got back into a good rhythm. At Whixall there was an unexpected road closure. I had to wait a short while before being escorted through the work and carrying on to Coton and Prees station where there was another hold up for a train at the crossing.
The climb at Prees went okay but I was conscious that the legs did feel quite strained this time so took it easy heading for Ightfield where I had my next stop, making use of the bus shelter to get out of the wind. I'd passed the metric century and was making much better progress than last time, so was feeling quite pleased. The tailwind was still with me making the run to Calverhall easier along with a couple of hills that I'd not been looking forward to. I got chased by a couple of dogs at Longslow (just being playful) and found the lanes at Longford were less muddy than last time. What should have been the last of the tailwind helped into Market Drayton and I didn't miss my junction this time. Heading towards Sutton the road is rough and there are a couple of short but sharp climbs which never feel good with 70 miles in the legs. I noticed on passing the golf club that the club flag was flying at half mast.
I really noticed the wind as I headed for Ternhill and the wind sock on the airfield confirmed that it was a cross-headwind that I expected to have for much of the rest of the trip. If the forecast was right though it should be easing as I went along. It did get easier as I went through Stoke on Tern and I made much better progress to Ollerton and Little Bolas than expected. I needed another snack stop by now and waited until I'd crossed the busy A442 to pause in a gateway not far from Cold Hatton. The forecast had threatened showers in the afternoon and these started to roll through about this time - annoying, but not heavy enough to need my waterproofs.
Round High Ercall I found I was running out of puff. The pace slowed a lot and eating some jelly babies just made me feel off. At Rodington Heath I decided to take a short cut along Drury Lane - good but getting there was uphill into the wind which didn't feel good. It was also a struggle as I turned towards Upton Magna and my legs came really close to cramping which made me ease right off. I met a couple of people with horses on this lane - the one was walking the horse which I think must have been playing up. She offered to buy my bike as "it would just be easier".
Knowing I had enough distance in hand I took the shorter way after Atcham (despite the three moderate climbs) and the lane through Allfield too. The short way back along the A49 was very tempting but I didn't fancy being slow and wobbly at rush hour so slowly climbed back through Little Lyth, finding a last reserve of energy to get up the short but steep climb.
103.1 miles at 11.9 mph moving average. Strava says 4118 feet of climbing. Just over 10 hours in total including stops - not quick but better than last time.
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Crossing Lyth Hill at the start and the first of many minor floods to splash through.
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En route to Knockin.
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The famous Knockin Shop.
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Oswestry Hill Fort.
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Ellesmere.
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Getting held up at Prees Station yet again.
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Prees.
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Lunch stop at Ightfield.
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Signs of recent storm damage at Cloverley Dole Farm.
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Getting caught in a shower at Cold Hatton didn't seem quite so bad after this.
