I’m doing the Ride Staffs Sportive starting in Uttoxeter on Sunday so needed to get some more miles in the legs during the week. Friday looked the better for weather but it’s a bit close to Sunday so I opted to come out today (Thursday).
I’ve been avoiding cycling to Ironbridge so thought today was the day to do it. I planned a nice route down past the back of Lilleshall, through Shifnal to Ironbridge and then home via Little Wenlock and The Wrekin.
The ride out was very hard work with a 15mph wind directly in my face. I plodded along and was soon descending into Ironbridge Gorge. I stopped at a lovely cafe right by the bridge itself for a coffee and scone.
After refreshments, I headed up Jiggers Bank, which is in the top 100 climbs in the UK book. Not quite sure what all the fuss is about as it as not too hard. Just drop to a low gear and grind it out. After that I headed off up into Little Wenlock. The ramp up into the village is very steep and a lot harder than Jiggers Bank.
Onwards past the car park at the base of The Wrekin I was starting to wonder about extending my ride to Wem and Whitchurch as it was such a nice day. What the heck, I was enjoying the ride so far so the decision was not too hard!
In Wem I stopped at our sponsors pub to refill my water bottle, which thy very kindly added a dash of blackcurrant juice and some ice cubes. There is service for you!
Approaching Whitchurch I resisted the urge to pop into Dearnford Lake and carried on straight past it. I did stop for a few minutes admiring the views over the lake at the lovely Brown Moss Nature Reserve though.
In Market Drayton I popped into our sponsors brewery tap for a quick pint of Shropshire Hop before carrying on to home.
78 miles ridden and over 3600ft of climbing. A great ride.
Route: click here
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