Day 10 - Chester to Orleton
Distance: 72.7 miles
Elevation: 2956 ft
Average speed: 11.4 mph
https://www.strava.com/activities/2452762388
Ride report:
Well, if yesterday's route was ridiculous, today's was nearer sublime. We spent most of the day on minor country roads, winding our way down through the Shropshire hills (mostly avoiding them, but more on that later!)
After yesterday's exploits, we were all rather tired, so we set off gently from Chester, enjoying the fact that it wasn't chucking it down with rain for once! We did get some spots of rain blowing in the wind (which unfortunately had turned overnight into a headwind), but with the route taking us down some gentle country lanes, it couldn't have been more different to yesterday.
After about 18 miles, we arrived at the Hanmer Arms and met up with Mum. We'd made it to Wales, our third country of the trip! Unfortunately, they'd stopped serving breakfast, but we got a big cafetiere of coffee between us, good fuel for the next leg of the trip.
We carried pottering on, though with the coffee inside us we did pick the speed up a bit. Our route here went through a lot of small lanes - I'd been worried after yesterday's "lane", but these proved a lot better! However, once again it was obvious that we'd missed a lot of the rain - the fields looked decidedly soggy, and in one or two places we wondered if we needed to get the oars out!
Fortunately, the road under the puddles was in much better condition than we'd been over yesterday, and so apart from a bit of mud and grit getting into the bikes, we got through without too much trouble.
Apparently there wasn't enough water about, as just as we contemplated removing our jackets, we got hit with a short sharp shower. With Shrewsbury (and lunch) in our sights, we pushed on through, and soon the sun was out again.
As we hit the top of Shrewsbury, we noticed there were a lot of people about. Initially I assumed it was just Saturday visitors, but as the police started blocking off roads we noticed signs for the carnival. People were starting to line the streets, so with some concern that we might inadvertently end up as part of the parade, we dropped down through town and to the river. The river was running very high, but fortunately this time we had a (decorated) bridge to cross the water!
We met Mum for lunch at a garden centre just south of Shrewsbury - much quieter and with easier parking than a coffee shop in town would have had, though we did spot one that would have been ideal:
After lunch, we were back onto the minor roads, but this time they were trending upwards. After a flapjack stop in Church Stretton (probably - I'm sure I saw at least three "Welcome to Church Stretton" signs!), we crossed the A49 which we'd been avoiding all day, and headed up a very sharp climb. This was enough to get us somewhat hot and sweaty, and as it was moving towards evening, made for quite a chilly descent.
Our next climb took us up through a wood, dodging the local wildlife (squirrels) - it was empty of other people and quite eerie (with an excellent echo). We finally made it up and out into the sunshine, and prepared for the drop down towards Ludlow.
Continuing the "avoid the A49" plan, we left Ludlow to climb over Richard's Castle - I don't know who Richard is but I wish he'd built his castle in the valley, as it was a late test for the legs!
Made it to the cottage earlier than yesterday, where we've had a lovely home-cooked meal from Mum.
Tomorrow, Bristol!
Elevation: 2956 ft
Average speed: 11.4 mph
https://www.strava.com/activities/2452762388
Ride report:
Well, if yesterday's route was ridiculous, today's was nearer sublime. We spent most of the day on minor country roads, winding our way down through the Shropshire hills (mostly avoiding them, but more on that later!)
After yesterday's exploits, we were all rather tired, so we set off gently from Chester, enjoying the fact that it wasn't chucking it down with rain for once! We did get some spots of rain blowing in the wind (which unfortunately had turned overnight into a headwind), but with the route taking us down some gentle country lanes, it couldn't have been more different to yesterday.
 |
| Much better road to ride on! |
After about 18 miles, we arrived at the Hanmer Arms and met up with Mum. We'd made it to Wales, our third country of the trip! Unfortunately, they'd stopped serving breakfast, but we got a big cafetiere of coffee between us, good fuel for the next leg of the trip.
We carried pottering on, though with the coffee inside us we did pick the speed up a bit. Our route here went through a lot of small lanes - I'd been worried after yesterday's "lane", but these proved a lot better! However, once again it was obvious that we'd missed a lot of the rain - the fields looked decidedly soggy, and in one or two places we wondered if we needed to get the oars out!
 |
| Anyone for a swim? |
Fortunately, the road under the puddles was in much better condition than we'd been over yesterday, and so apart from a bit of mud and grit getting into the bikes, we got through without too much trouble.
Apparently there wasn't enough water about, as just as we contemplated removing our jackets, we got hit with a short sharp shower. With Shrewsbury (and lunch) in our sights, we pushed on through, and soon the sun was out again.
As we hit the top of Shrewsbury, we noticed there were a lot of people about. Initially I assumed it was just Saturday visitors, but as the police started blocking off roads we noticed signs for the carnival. People were starting to line the streets, so with some concern that we might inadvertently end up as part of the parade, we dropped down through town and to the river. The river was running very high, but fortunately this time we had a (decorated) bridge to cross the water!
 |
| Fortunately we didn't have to ford this river! (Shrewsbury) |
 |
| Flags out on the bridge - carnival day! |
We met Mum for lunch at a garden centre just south of Shrewsbury - much quieter and with easier parking than a coffee shop in town would have had, though we did spot one that would have been ideal:
 |
| Excellent name for a coffee shop! |
After lunch, we were back onto the minor roads, but this time they were trending upwards. After a flapjack stop in Church Stretton (probably - I'm sure I saw at least three "Welcome to Church Stretton" signs!), we crossed the A49 which we'd been avoiding all day, and headed up a very sharp climb. This was enough to get us somewhat hot and sweaty, and as it was moving towards evening, made for quite a chilly descent.
Our next climb took us up through a wood, dodging the local wildlife (squirrels) - it was empty of other people and quite eerie (with an excellent echo). We finally made it up and out into the sunshine, and prepared for the drop down towards Ludlow.
 |
| Shropshire hills - surely we're not riding over those... |
 |
| ... the view from the top of the Shropshire hills! |
Continuing the "avoid the A49" plan, we left Ludlow to climb over Richard's Castle - I don't know who Richard is but I wish he'd built his castle in the valley, as it was a late test for the legs!
Made it to the cottage earlier than yesterday, where we've had a lovely home-cooked meal from Mum.
Tomorrow, Bristol!
Loving following your trials and successes - you're nearly in the Southwest now 😀
ReplyDeleteBrilliant work. Enjoy the pain.
ReplyDelete