Couldn't find my mojo to get out riding in the wind and rain over the weeekend (apart from a very short trip to sort out a puncture for a friend on Saturday), so dragged myself out this morning on what looks like being the best day of the week to get some scenic miles in.
The route today was out to Exfords Green then Plealey, Pontesbury, Minsterley and Plox Green where I took a route I've never ridden before up the hills to Hopesgate, Bentlawnt and Hemford. From here I was back onto roads I know to Shelve and The Bog before climbing over the edge of the Stipertones and dropping down to The Bridges ready to climb up onto the Long Mynd. I rode to the summit at Pole Bank then dropped down the Burway and a bridleway into Carding Mill Valley before finally heading home via All Stretton, Longnor, Condover and Lyth Hill.
The wind might have died down a bit but it's still pretty breezy out there and much of the first 10 miles was with it against me. The view of the Long Mynd was good today as there was a bit of snow up there. This made me think that my original plan of tackling Asterton Bank might not be the best so I'll save that for another day.
While struggling against the wind en route to Plealey a guy on Genesis (with matching kit) sailed past me and disappeared into the distance as though I was stood still. The wind was a little easier on the way to Minsterley and I was able to overtake another couple of cyclists on the way.
At Plox Green I took my right turn instead of the usual left and was straight onto smooth, fresh tarmac which was very nice. Please Shropshire Council, can we have some more? From here the road went mostly upwards to Bentlawnt and gave some nice views which haven't all come out well on camera. On the way I kept passing and repassing the local postie as he delivered his way up the hill. During this section a house called "Dunmilking" caught my eye.
With the extra altitude it was quite chilly so I'd hoped the visitor centre at The Bog might be open for hot drinks. No signs of life there today though so I didn't hesitate and carried on to the main car park for the Stiperstones where I had the snack I'd packed to keep me going.
The wind was behind me by this point and I got some good speed up on the flowing descent with 36.1 mph recorded as a maximum. I could go quicker if the surface was a bit better.
The Horseshoe at The Bridges was open but I resisted a stop here (too tempting to have a beer) and headed for the long drag up onto the Long Mynd. There were more cars coming down than I'd have expected and I got overtaken by a 50cc scooter which isn't something you'd usually expect to see up here - it wasn't going quick, but quicker than me. The snow had mostly melted by the time I got up onto the hill. It was too chilly to stop for long at the top though so I pressed on down the Burway, getting a few surprised looks from those coming up in their cars.
As often happens, the airflow round the hills meant the westerly wind becomes a localised south-south westerly so I had a good tailwind again for a few miles and made fairly good time on the way back.
40.6 miles this time at 10.8 mph average.
From Hunger Hill near the start, looking to the snow capped Long Mynd.
Signs of spring and fresh tarmac. Both pleasing sights.
Looking back over Bentlawnt and the Shropshire Plain.
Old mine workings near Shelve.
On the way to The Bog with a bit of snow around.
Down at The Bridges and resisting temptation.
On my way up the Long Mynd........
...... and on the way down the other side. The Burway, looking towards Church Stretton.
The Pavilion in Carding Mill Valley.
Some snow in evidence, some very heavy snow showers but it didn't lie.
and then started the thread so I only have myself to blame .My 100 days set of @Supersuperleeds and now we're in a stand off to be the first to stop
I was quite pleased to get away from the main roads onto something quieter after Condover where I also picked up a tailwind. It was a fairly good run to Cross Houses where I got held up by roadworks (lots about at the moment).
had planned a metric half century on the new shiny TCR but the weather wasn't playing ball 
. Spent all morning pottering about doing odd jobs and checking the BBC weather App . Finally rolled out at 1400 on the old Defy into drizzle . Decided on an hour's so headed for local hills . Newtown Linford to Sharpley hill then down Warren hill around Swithland woods into Woodhouse Eaves . Turned left on to the climb up Maplewell rd . A long climb with lots of changes of gradient and a few false summits if you don't know it . Then straight into the steep ramp of Priory lane quick descent then the second climb a longer one which kicks up at the end . Right at the crossroads for more steady climbing up Whitcroft lane Upto Copt Oak and back onto Priory lane coming the other way another steep ramp then the descent down Pollybotts lane back to Newtown and home . 14.8 miles with 1700ft of upness and I hardly got wet sun came out as I got home . The climbing legs are slowly coming back I might need them when I take on The Bwlch ,Rhigos and the Devil's Elbow in June in a away day to Wales
