Shearwater Missile
Veteran
- Location
- Stowmarket
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
A couple to mention.
Sunday, 8th: A dry day with even a bit of sunshine at last. I was a bit slow getting up (there may have been wine involved the evening before) but I got out after having an early lunch and thought I'd have a go at a longer route; an orbit of Shrewsbury, which I haven't done for a while.
Setting out, my speedometer didn't want to work initially. I must have knocked the sensor when cleaning the bike the previous day. That took a moment to fix and I was on my way again, taking the road up Lyth Hill as I wasn't sure whether a set of temporary lights that had been on the main road were still there.
From Condover I had a decent tailwind that would be helping for a good chunk of the ride. A pause was taken near Berrington Hall to do another very small tweak of the saddle. I remembered that I'd adjusted the angle of the saddle back in the autumn, which would account for the height being not quite right and it's probably me having lost fitness that is making it show up now.
The river is out on the flood plain at Atcham, which always looks impressive. It's not threatening any property flooding though at the moment. The tailwind was good to Upton Magna and helped me feel pretty good up the climb across the edge of Haughmond Hill. The next climb at Ebury Hill felt pretty good as well.
After Hadnall the lane to Plex is getting really bad with the road surface just crumbling away. I hope that it will get resurfaced in the not too distant future, but I'm not holding my breath. Again, the climb to Harmer Hill went well and I enjoyed an easy cruise through the village with what I knew would be the last of the tailwind for this trip.
After this the hills didn't feel as easy and I wasn't able to scoot along as briskly on the flat. It was still fairly pleasant riding though. The approach to Yeaton gives some good views towards the hills of Wales, which were partially obscured by rain. I hoped that wouldn't be coming my way at all - I had put a waterproof into my bag just in case.
I was a bit slower on the way to Montford Bridge; partly having to work against the wind but mostly because this is the longest ride I've done since early December. The climb over to Bicton was hard work but there wasn't much in the way of traffic this time which made it a bit more pleasant. That did make me think it would be good to stay on this road as it's the shortest way back but I found it was a bit too exposed to the wind to be enjoyable so I turned off onto Shepherd's Lane and took the longer way back via the new estate at Bowbrook. I did briefly think about extending the ride again a little bit by going through Nobold but that was a no go as the road is closed, so I ended up going past the school into Meole Brace.
36.2 miles from my speedometer at 12.8 mph average. Strava claims more than a mile extra with 1563 feet of climbing. It usually reads a bit more than my speedo but not that much so I did a bit more adjustment to the wheel sensor and the magnet after the ride to make sure it's counting properly.
Snapshots from my phone this time so not the best quality:
The two bridges at Atcham.
Plenty of water on the flood plain.
A pause for a drink at Harmer Hill.
The biggest group of roadside snowdrops that I passed on the ride, near Grafton.
Sunday, 8th: A dry day with even a bit of sunshine at last. I was a bit slow getting up (there may have been wine involved the evening before) but I got out after having an early lunch and thought I'd have a go at a longer route; an orbit of Shrewsbury, which I haven't done for a while.
Setting out, my speedometer didn't want to work initially. I must have knocked the sensor when cleaning the bike the previous day. That took a moment to fix and I was on my way again, taking the road up Lyth Hill as I wasn't sure whether a set of temporary lights that had been on the main road were still there.
From Condover I had a decent tailwind that would be helping for a good chunk of the ride. A pause was taken near Berrington Hall to do another very small tweak of the saddle. I remembered that I'd adjusted the angle of the saddle back in the autumn, which would account for the height being not quite right and it's probably me having lost fitness that is making it show up now.
The river is out on the flood plain at Atcham, which always looks impressive. It's not threatening any property flooding though at the moment. The tailwind was good to Upton Magna and helped me feel pretty good up the climb across the edge of Haughmond Hill. The next climb at Ebury Hill felt pretty good as well.
After Hadnall the lane to Plex is getting really bad with the road surface just crumbling away. I hope that it will get resurfaced in the not too distant future, but I'm not holding my breath. Again, the climb to Harmer Hill went well and I enjoyed an easy cruise through the village with what I knew would be the last of the tailwind for this trip.
After this the hills didn't feel as easy and I wasn't able to scoot along as briskly on the flat. It was still fairly pleasant riding though. The approach to Yeaton gives some good views towards the hills of Wales, which were partially obscured by rain. I hoped that wouldn't be coming my way at all - I had put a waterproof into my bag just in case.
I was a bit slower on the way to Montford Bridge; partly having to work against the wind but mostly because this is the longest ride I've done since early December. The climb over to Bicton was hard work but there wasn't much in the way of traffic this time which made it a bit more pleasant. That did make me think it would be good to stay on this road as it's the shortest way back but I found it was a bit too exposed to the wind to be enjoyable so I turned off onto Shepherd's Lane and took the longer way back via the new estate at Bowbrook. I did briefly think about extending the ride again a little bit by going through Nobold but that was a no go as the road is closed, so I ended up going past the school into Meole Brace.
36.2 miles from my speedometer at 12.8 mph average. Strava claims more than a mile extra with 1563 feet of climbing. It usually reads a bit more than my speedo but not that much so I did a bit more adjustment to the wheel sensor and the magnet after the ride to make sure it's counting properly.
Snapshots from my phone this time so not the best quality:
The two bridges at Atcham.
Plenty of water on the flood plain.
A pause for a drink at Harmer Hill.
The biggest group of roadside snowdrops that I passed on the ride, near Grafton.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Monday 9th: Feeling fairly good after the ride on Sunday I decided to take a chance on the weather forecast being wrong and the rain moving slower than expected. I fancied some hills and the lanes round the Pulverbatch area are good for having options if I need to cut the ride shorter.
It was another start over Lyth Hill and while climbing up I realised that the wind was coming much more from the east than in the forecast I'd seen, meaning that going round clockwise would probably be the better option this time. Before reaching Condover I was startled by another cyclist overtaking. No response to my greeting and judging by the way they strolled off into the distance, they were on a mission.
From Condover the roads weren't busy but they were pretty muddy - I've undone all my good work cleaning the bike in only 2 rides. When I reached Longnor I found that the road through the village has at least a couple of nasty potholes that weren't there when I last came through.
More mud and quiet lanes through Hollyhurst. I had a small wait for a gap to cross the A49 again, then the proper climbing begins at Dudgeley; sharply undulating initially then a steadier climb up through Walkmills. I found that the legs weren't too bad despite being a bit tired from the previous day. I'd made another small adjustment to the saddle height before setting off and it did seem to be working for this ride. I met a couple of cars at the narrowest possible point before reaching Smethcott but they were good and pulled in to allow me past. With the legs feeling alright I decided I would carry on climbing to Picklescott, which I enjoyed but I was feeling the effort by the time I reached the village.
The descent of Pease Lane was pretty muddy and this is another road that is deteriorating a bit so it needed care. I was flagging on the climb after Wilderley Hall and really ran out of puff on the one into Pulverbatch so decided not to try and get to Oaks this time but took the main road to Longden Common and turned off onto Long Lane, which was into the wind but is downhill in this direction, which evened things out a bit. A final climb to Lyth Hill via Lyth Bank was very much a plod but the sun came out briefly, which lifted my spirits.
After splashing my way along the dirt track on the top of the hill I let a car go ahead of me when I rejoined the tarmac and immediately regretted it as they went quite a bit slower than I wanted to down the hill. The school was coming out so the roads in the village were busy, not helped by a set of four way temporary traffic lights holding things up.
26.4 miles at 11.3 mph average. Strava says 1829 feet of climbing. A pretty good ride and I managed to avoid all but a few spots of rain while I was out.
Again, the photos were all taken on the phone with its dust filled camera (and no way to open it for cleaning).
Caer Caradoc as the backdrop as I cross the railway line at Dudgeley.
The pool part way up the climb to Picklescott has refilled after being drained and extended last summer.
Nice to have some fresh tarmac and the road to myself in Picklescott.
The view from Pease Lane on my way to Wilderley.
At Lyth Hill the sun is trying to break through.
From the same spot looking towards the Wrekin.
It was another start over Lyth Hill and while climbing up I realised that the wind was coming much more from the east than in the forecast I'd seen, meaning that going round clockwise would probably be the better option this time. Before reaching Condover I was startled by another cyclist overtaking. No response to my greeting and judging by the way they strolled off into the distance, they were on a mission.
From Condover the roads weren't busy but they were pretty muddy - I've undone all my good work cleaning the bike in only 2 rides. When I reached Longnor I found that the road through the village has at least a couple of nasty potholes that weren't there when I last came through.
More mud and quiet lanes through Hollyhurst. I had a small wait for a gap to cross the A49 again, then the proper climbing begins at Dudgeley; sharply undulating initially then a steadier climb up through Walkmills. I found that the legs weren't too bad despite being a bit tired from the previous day. I'd made another small adjustment to the saddle height before setting off and it did seem to be working for this ride. I met a couple of cars at the narrowest possible point before reaching Smethcott but they were good and pulled in to allow me past. With the legs feeling alright I decided I would carry on climbing to Picklescott, which I enjoyed but I was feeling the effort by the time I reached the village.
The descent of Pease Lane was pretty muddy and this is another road that is deteriorating a bit so it needed care. I was flagging on the climb after Wilderley Hall and really ran out of puff on the one into Pulverbatch so decided not to try and get to Oaks this time but took the main road to Longden Common and turned off onto Long Lane, which was into the wind but is downhill in this direction, which evened things out a bit. A final climb to Lyth Hill via Lyth Bank was very much a plod but the sun came out briefly, which lifted my spirits.
After splashing my way along the dirt track on the top of the hill I let a car go ahead of me when I rejoined the tarmac and immediately regretted it as they went quite a bit slower than I wanted to down the hill. The school was coming out so the roads in the village were busy, not helped by a set of four way temporary traffic lights holding things up.
26.4 miles at 11.3 mph average. Strava says 1829 feet of climbing. A pretty good ride and I managed to avoid all but a few spots of rain while I was out.
Again, the photos were all taken on the phone with its dust filled camera (and no way to open it for cleaning).
Caer Caradoc as the backdrop as I cross the railway line at Dudgeley.
The pool part way up the climb to Picklescott has refilled after being drained and extended last summer.
Nice to have some fresh tarmac and the road to myself in Picklescott.
The view from Pease Lane on my way to Wilderley.
At Lyth Hill the sun is trying to break through.
From the same spot looking towards the Wrekin.
