I’ve got the Wiggle Sussex Surrey Scramble Epic Course Sportive on Sunday so today was the perfect day for a longer and more challenging ride, especially after 3 days rest.
I decided to try out a route to Bishops Castle in South Shropshire that I’d had lying around on Strava for a while now. Every time I went to use it in the past I opted to go northwards as usual (know the roads better and it’s where I’m from!) so this time I was determined not to opt out at the last minute.
I set off on pretty much the Raiders Route 66 route, through Great Bolas, Waters Upton, Rowton and High Ercall.
As I was going through Roddington I spotted a group of cyclists coming the other way. A few “Hello John”‘s were heard – it was the Wednesday Newport CC ride to Sleap. It’s always great when you unexpectedly bump into friends like this.
I stopped at the Village Store at The Haughmond for a coffee to perk me up before the climbing started and then headed off to tackle the Picklescott climb ( the largest climb of the day). Nothing too taxing here as it was a gentle but very long climb. My hard work was rewarded by fab views all over Shropshire and Cheshire from the top!
The descent the other side was great fun and I zoomed past Wentnor and was soon in Bishops Castle looking for a cafe for some lunch. I could not find the High Street so stopped to ask this elderly couple and they replied: “This is the High Street!”. Oops!
They did, however, recommend a great little cafe called Thyme just up the road so I went to try it. A great choice and a real hidden gem of a place with great food and friendly staff.
After lunch, I started my journey home via Marshbrook, Much Wenlock and Wellington. The bit between Marshbrook and Much Wenlock seemed to take an absolute age and in all honesty got a bit boring, despite the fab views either side of the edge.
After Much Wenlock was the steady climb up Buildwas Bank into Telford and onwards to home. Nothing too taxing though.
I stopped at the Queens in Horton to refill water bottles and have a cheeky pint on the way home. From there it was an easy ride back to home.
A great day out on the bike and my first ever time riding in proper South Shropshire.
Route: click here
You must log in to post a comment.