Time for my metric century of the month. I'd hoped to do an Imperial one today but after a wet week of commuting "only" felt like doing the metric this time. The forecast suggested a northerly wind easing through the day so it seemed sensible to head south with the best of the tailwind and hopefully have it not too hard to ride against on the way home. That meant Ludlow was the best destination, which is where I headed.
My 8am start became 8.45 before I was on the road and scooting along quite nicely on the Raleigh (it always feels so lovely to ride after using the knockabout bike for a bit
).
Heading through Condover, Pitchford and Acton Burnell I then climbed up Folly Bank and over to Cardington, Wall, and over Wenlock Edge to Westhope before turning down Hope Dale and on through Onibury and Bromfield to Ludlow. The ride was going well but the weather wasn't the best as I'd run into drizzle around Leebotwood which stayed with me most of the way to Bromfield. It was quite cold with it on the downhills as well.
At Ludlow I met up with my sibllings who had a stall at the Ludlow Fringe Market. They'd made a few sales when I got there but had a disappointing day overall as the town was quieter than usual.
Heading on again I left town over the rebuilt Burway Bridge before taking a right then a left and heading on the road to Peaton. This road is great being fairly wide, relatively flat and with not much traffic. It's how I imagine riding would have been in the '50s.
About 7 miles from Ludlow I stopped in a gateway and had my lunch, during which time only 3 cars passed (must be a busy day
)
Moving on again I decided to explore a little. Last time I rode this way I was able to chat with another rider for a while who recommended a pub; the Tally Ho, so I decided to go and find out where it is. Looks like a nice place - I didn't stop this time but will make a point of doing so soon.
Leaving the village was up an unexpectedly steep climb but rewarded by a good view back down the valley. In nearby Tugford there were a couple of riders studying an OS map. As I approached one called out "Do you know if there a pub round here?". Funny you should ask that...........
Next up was the return climb over Wenlock Edge. I took the road past Wilderhope and over to Longville which seemed a
lot easier than last time I rode it (although that was in winter and I was on the knockabout bike at the time).
Heading home the most direct way would have got me the metric century but I was quite enjoying the ride and feeling unexpectedly fresh so on reaching Acton Burnell for the second time I headed towards Longnor again then took the lane to Great Ryton and up to Condover for a sprint finish to home.
66.6 miles done at 13.4 mph average which I'm fairly happy with given that the trip was far from flat.
Caer Caradoc looking moody in the drizzly weather.
About to take the turning for Halford by the Arts College at Westhope.
Onibury Church.
The road to the beach. The soil is very sandy in parts of Shropshire and an awful lot has ended up on the road after the recent storms.
Passing ballast train.
Thatched cottage at Bromfield.
Dinham, Ludlow.
Lunch stop.
The Tally Ho at Bouldon.
Passing these poppies a second time towards the end of the ride I had to stop for a photo.
. 58 smiles on this one.
.
.
