Today I was going to attempt getting up the Wyche Cutting and go round to British Camp in the Malverns. Weather was quite mild, but a bit breezy.
Out at ten to seven. When going Malvern way I follow the southern link road and then turn for Bransford. It is a nice route, with a bike path all the way along the busy link road. The problem is that the bit of path between the Carrington bridge and the Powick roundabout is not very good, quite narrow and bad surface. To avoid that section I went Diglis park way, over the river using the new cycle/pedestrian bridge, and then out to the Malvern road in Lower Wick. Much nicer ride. Then to the Powick roundabout to rejoin the link road path.
Once turning towards Bransford the wind was head on, so even down the hill I was having to put some effort to keep my speed. Luckily the road is sheltered once the ramp for Bransford starts, so didn't have to contend with the wind. The sky was starting to clear at this point, and I could see my destination ahead.
So onwards to Leigh Sinton, and then left towards Malvern Link. I took the ascent easy, as I wanted to be sure I would have energy left for the second bit. After Malvern Link the road levels iff a bit going through Great Malvern, and then the climb starts again before turning for the Wyche. I stopped here for a breather and a nut bar, admiring the abbey
As I was setting off again two cyclists in road bikes went past. I followed them, and managed to stay with them for about a third of the way, but I had to drop a gear, and they slowly pulled away. I eventually dropped to my lowest gear, and just spun my way to the top, which I reached without dismounting. The reward was this view of the Severn valley south of Worcester
Then across the cut was Herefordshire
Up to here the hill was shielding the wind, but on the west side riding towards the A449 along Jubilee drive the wind was somewhat annoying at times.
This section is substantially flat, with a small climb to the A449 at the end. The cafe had just opened, so I had a coffee to celebrate the achievement. I wasn't expecting the cafe to be open, so had had a nut bar earlier, otherwise I would have had a slice of cake too.
Once refreshed set off down the A449 back towards Malvern, and then a right for Upton via Welland. This section of the road runs straight down the hill, and I managed a 25mph average down to Welland.
From Upton the way back was the usual Earls Croome, Kinnersley and Wadborough way. Down past Norton church and past Norton Barracks the wind was against me, so the last stretch was quite hard work.
Weather was really mild, and I was slightly overdressed. Loads of other friendly cyclists around today.
Really chuffed with my achievement. Next challenge is going all the way from Leigh Sinton without stopping.
35.3 miles at 12.8mph, and 1600 feet of climbing according to mapmyride.
Later on I got a good run into the dip by Westley and hit a new top speed for the knockabout bike of 37.5 mph.
