Saturday 1st June Netley Hall Dorrington Shropshire
Members made their way by car and van, Janet and Ivan having travelled part the way on Friday. The rest of the Cumbria contingent made their way on Saturday, the Murphy's having missed the turn for Wrexham found themselves heading for North Wales.
Bob having the shortest distance to travel arrived just before two o'clock along with Dave who had travelled from the airfield in Oxfordshire where he does his flying.
By four o'clock all eight had arrived and had settled down in their allotted cottages.
Sunday 2nd June.
On an overcast morning eight members were ready to start their ride to Clun, having been arranged the night before and downloaded on John's Garmin.
Leaving the grounds of Netley Hall they joined the narrow twisting road that started to climb almost immediately passing through the quaint village of Picklescott.
Still climbing the summit topped out after 4.5 mile at 1000ft, this was followed by a 1 mile descent turning left at the bottom towards Bridges that follows the River East Onny.
Along this road they missed a turn which sent John's Garmin into melt down unable to correct and with no map they finished up in Wentnor.
Not completely lost they came across a friendly lady tending her garden, after a friendly conversation and directions the group set of towards Asterton.
Turning right in Asterton the road runs along the foot of The Long Mynd before joining the A489 at Plowden.
Once on A489 and most of the group in need of food it was along this road after three miles they spotted a cafe sign on the roof of a building.
This was not your usual cafe it was situated on what the owner called a small holding with sheds full of rubbish, to some.
In the cafe building itself, it was decorated with picture off bygone film stars along with other novelties.
The owner a middle aged lady who was very friendly took the orders then disappeared into her house to cook the meals.
Then a young man dressed like he had just mucked out the barn appeared with each individual cooked meal.
This continued until each had got served except Bob, the young man appeared saying they had run out of eggs but we're getting some more from the hen hut.
You could have as much to drink at no extra cost as you wanted, plus she offered free jam and cream scones to those that wanted them.
After a good lunch and a tour of her wild garden the group left heading back along the A489 the way they had come.
Still following the A489 they turned left onto the B4370 to Marshbrook where John punctured a rear tube just before Little Stretton, telling the rest to continue on.
With the help of Ivan they soon had the wheel back on as they headed back through Church Stretton and All Stretton to join A49 back to Donnington.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Ivan, Dave, Bob, Tom and the two John's. Miles 38. Ascent 2781 ft.
Monday 3rd June.
Having traveled down on Sunday were Anita and Roy who were staying down the road at All Stetton in a Bunkhouse, who on Monday morning drove over to join the group.
Again with a route planned the previous night again downloaded onto John's Garmin it was fingers crossed for a smooth ride.
Leaving around ten o'clock the group crossed the busy A49 into the lanes passing through Condover on the way to Atcham, where they crossed the River Seven to Upton Magna.
The welcome site of a village shop and cafe, part of The Haughmond Inn greeted the group as they rounded a corner into Upton Magna.
Choosing to sit outside in the sun but out of the wind it was tea, coffee and cake, before continuing on through the lanes.
On leaving Upton Magna the route took them through Bings Heath, Poynton before arriving at the Roden.
Stopping at the junction with the B5062, Roy brought out a map, along with Tom on his phone searching the Internet for a pub nearby for lunch.
John disappeared to ask two women where the nearest place to eat would be, luck would have it, just down the road there was a cafe in the garden centre.
Although not much on the menu the group managed to get refuelled for the ride back to Dorrington.
Leaving Roden they followed the lanes through Walcot and Norton, then over the busy A5 to join the B4380 to Atcham stopping on the bridge over the River Seven.
Having been at Atcham earlier in the day they took a different route back involving two long climbs at Berrington and Cantlop before the final run in back to Dorrington.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Anita, Roy, Ivan, Tom, Bob, Dave and the two John's Miles 36. Ascent 1131 ft.
Tuesday 4th June.
With the forecast for a wet afternoon it was decided to do a short ride and get back before rain came.
Having arranged with Anita and Roy we would meet them in All Stretton the group set of for the hilly route to avoid the busy A49.
Again John's Garmin mist a turn that set them of course, meaning they would be late in meeting Anita and Roy,
Eventually they found Roy on his own ridding Anita's bike, along with her rucksack on his back, Anita having decided to go for a walk.
With the rain threatening they made their way into Church Stretton for an early lunch, in a bakery that Janet and Ivan had been to on Saturday called (Mr Bun the Baker).
Tom in need of a spare inner tube found out there was a cycle shop in Marshbrook just far enough down the road before the rain settled in.
Leaving Church Stretton the rain started to fall as they approached Little Stretton to join the busy A49.
With A49 busy with heavy goods vehicles it was a relief to get back on the quieter roads as they turned right off the A49 over the railway crossing into Marshbrook.
Having found the bike shop and Tom having got his new tubes the group set of back to Dorrington in the poring rain, stopping in Little Stratton for a hot drink in the Ragleth Inn.
Back on road with rain still falling the group continued on through Church Stretton leaving Roy in All Stratton.
To avoid the A49 the group followed the lanes that were covered in standing water and gravel to arrive back at Netley Hall rather wet.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Ivan, Tom, Bob, Dave, Roy and the two John's. Miles 27. Ascent 1200 ft.
Wednesday 5th June
With the forecast for a dry day but with a south westerly wind eight members set off from Netley Hall to Ludlow.
Leaving the complex around ten o'clock they headed into Dorrington to cross the A49 to Little Ryton, then along a quieter road running parallel with A49.
Along this road John R nearly came to grief crossing a shallow ford then minutes later Janet disappeared of the road into deep ditch covered in long grass, but was pulled out none the worse.
With everyone having stopped it was back to turning the pedals to meet up with Anita and Roy in All Stretton.
Having met up with Anita and Roy it was onto Church Stretton for tea, coffee and cake at Mr Bun the Baker café.
Church Stretton sits in a deep valley between The Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge so it came as no surprise to be confronted with a long climb out of Church Stretton.
Regrouping at the top was followed by short descent to Hope Bowdler where they turned right to Soudley and Ticklerton into a strong head wind.
After a false downhill the road reared up again through a wooded section (Harton Wood) over Wenlock Edge to Westhope.
From Westhope the road wound its way down a narrow valley to New Ho to join the B4365 for three miles, before turning left to Stanton Lacy.
Still with a headwind that had been with the group for most of the way they entered Ludlow with another steep hill to climb, only find a cafe at the top.
Having arrived just before the cafe closed at two o'clock it was something with eggs for most before setting of back to Dorrington.
Anita and Roy decided to catch the train back and were able to have time to look round Ludlow before their train arrived.
The rest had the prospect of following their wheel tracks back, unable to a find an alternative way back.
With a following wind it made the terrain back much easier especially for John R who was on his normal bike, while the rest were on e-bikes with the exception of Tom.
Having followed the same route back, as always the views were different although the climbs didn’t get any easier unless you were on an e-bike.
That evening was spent in the Horseshoes Inn for the group to get together for a meal.
In the group Sue, Janet, Anita, Bob, Dave, Tom, Roy, Ivan and the two John's Miles 50. Ascent 2786 ft.
Thursday 6th June
On bright morning with a cold westerly wind Anita cycled from All Stretton along A49 to join the Netley Hall contingent, followed not long behind by Roy in his car.
With the prospect of a fifteen mile hilly ride and the chance of rain before lunch the group set of following John's Garmin.
After crossing the A49 for the umpteenth time it was on through Little Ryton and on towards Frodesley as dark rain clouds could be seen to their right.
As expected the first spots of rain were felt that brought the group to a halt under some trees, with the rain getting worse.
Setting of again, this time all togged up in wet weather gear, the group pressed on to Frodesley encountering the first real climb of the day.
After Regrouping on top, it was then all downhill into Acton Burnell passing Concord College, situated in the grounds of Acton Burnell Castle. The college admits students aged between 12 and 19; the majority of whom come from overseas.
With more up and downs the real sting in tail came just after Hughley a long steep climb to join the B4371 just as rain decided to make its presence felt again.
The climb having split the group it was decided for some to carry on due to the heavy rain, while some on e-bikes waited for the rest to make it to the top.
With conditions worsening it was now all downhill into Much Wenlock to find the others waiting, before finding a pub for lunch.
Rather wet the group soon found a pub named the Talbot Inn on the narrow High Street with its old historic buildings.
After a good meal in the warm surroundings of the pub and with the rain heavier than ever no one was in a hurry to move.
Eventually with the rain having stopped it was decided to make a dash for it, leaving Much Wenlock by the B4378 up a steep hill towards Bourton.
On reaching Bourton they turned right to join the B4371; this was not before another short steep climb.
Turning right at the junction they joined the road they came out on, back down the steep hill that some struggled up back to Hughley.
Leaving Hughley the road climbed again to Church Preen where Bob and Dave carried straight on, when they should have turned left towards Chatwell Hall.
Now without Bob and Dave the rest continued on following John's Garmin with the sky above getting darker it was no surprise to hear thunder.
Just before Chatwall Hall the heavens opened up with the sound of thunder and lightning so the group searching for shelter under some trees.
Anita and Roy had other ideas, they so a barn up the road that they managed to open the door, and soon they were all taking shelter inside the building.
The storm having past the group set of negotiating the flooded lanes that were strewn with gravel from the storm, after a few ascents it was mostly all downhill to Longnor.
Back on familiar roads although covered in standing water and debris they finally arrived back at Netley Hall rather wet.
In the group. Sue, Anita, Janet, Bob, Dave, Ivan, Tom Roy and the two John’s Miles 32 Ascent 2458ft
Members made their way by car and van, Janet and Ivan having travelled part the way on Friday. The rest of the Cumbria contingent made their way on Saturday, the Murphy's having missed the turn for Wrexham found themselves heading for North Wales.
Bob having the shortest distance to travel arrived just before two o'clock along with Dave who had travelled from the airfield in Oxfordshire where he does his flying.
By four o'clock all eight had arrived and had settled down in their allotted cottages.
Sunday 2nd June.
On an overcast morning eight members were ready to start their ride to Clun, having been arranged the night before and downloaded on John's Garmin.
Leaving the grounds of Netley Hall they joined the narrow twisting road that started to climb almost immediately passing through the quaint village of Picklescott.
Still climbing the summit topped out after 4.5 mile at 1000ft, this was followed by a 1 mile descent turning left at the bottom towards Bridges that follows the River East Onny.
Along this road they missed a turn which sent John's Garmin into melt down unable to correct and with no map they finished up in Wentnor.
Not completely lost they came across a friendly lady tending her garden, after a friendly conversation and directions the group set of towards Asterton.
Turning right in Asterton the road runs along the foot of The Long Mynd before joining the A489 at Plowden.
Once on A489 and most of the group in need of food it was along this road after three miles they spotted a cafe sign on the roof of a building.
This was not your usual cafe it was situated on what the owner called a small holding with sheds full of rubbish, to some.
In the cafe building itself, it was decorated with picture off bygone film stars along with other novelties.
The owner a middle aged lady who was very friendly took the orders then disappeared into her house to cook the meals.
Then a young man dressed like he had just mucked out the barn appeared with each individual cooked meal.
This continued until each had got served except Bob, the young man appeared saying they had run out of eggs but we're getting some more from the hen hut.
You could have as much to drink at no extra cost as you wanted, plus she offered free jam and cream scones to those that wanted them.
After a good lunch and a tour of her wild garden the group left heading back along the A489 the way they had come.
Still following the A489 they turned left onto the B4370 to Marshbrook where John punctured a rear tube just before Little Stretton, telling the rest to continue on.
With the help of Ivan they soon had the wheel back on as they headed back through Church Stretton and All Stretton to join A49 back to Donnington.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Ivan, Dave, Bob, Tom and the two John's. Miles 38. Ascent 2781 ft.
Monday 3rd June.
Having traveled down on Sunday were Anita and Roy who were staying down the road at All Stetton in a Bunkhouse, who on Monday morning drove over to join the group.
Again with a route planned the previous night again downloaded onto John's Garmin it was fingers crossed for a smooth ride.
Leaving around ten o'clock the group crossed the busy A49 into the lanes passing through Condover on the way to Atcham, where they crossed the River Seven to Upton Magna.
The welcome site of a village shop and cafe, part of The Haughmond Inn greeted the group as they rounded a corner into Upton Magna.
Choosing to sit outside in the sun but out of the wind it was tea, coffee and cake, before continuing on through the lanes.
On leaving Upton Magna the route took them through Bings Heath, Poynton before arriving at the Roden.
Stopping at the junction with the B5062, Roy brought out a map, along with Tom on his phone searching the Internet for a pub nearby for lunch.
John disappeared to ask two women where the nearest place to eat would be, luck would have it, just down the road there was a cafe in the garden centre.
Although not much on the menu the group managed to get refuelled for the ride back to Dorrington.
Leaving Roden they followed the lanes through Walcot and Norton, then over the busy A5 to join the B4380 to Atcham stopping on the bridge over the River Seven.
Having been at Atcham earlier in the day they took a different route back involving two long climbs at Berrington and Cantlop before the final run in back to Dorrington.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Anita, Roy, Ivan, Tom, Bob, Dave and the two John's Miles 36. Ascent 1131 ft.
Tuesday 4th June.
With the forecast for a wet afternoon it was decided to do a short ride and get back before rain came.
Having arranged with Anita and Roy we would meet them in All Stretton the group set of for the hilly route to avoid the busy A49.
Again John's Garmin mist a turn that set them of course, meaning they would be late in meeting Anita and Roy,
Eventually they found Roy on his own ridding Anita's bike, along with her rucksack on his back, Anita having decided to go for a walk.
With the rain threatening they made their way into Church Stretton for an early lunch, in a bakery that Janet and Ivan had been to on Saturday called (Mr Bun the Baker).
Tom in need of a spare inner tube found out there was a cycle shop in Marshbrook just far enough down the road before the rain settled in.
Leaving Church Stretton the rain started to fall as they approached Little Stretton to join the busy A49.
With A49 busy with heavy goods vehicles it was a relief to get back on the quieter roads as they turned right off the A49 over the railway crossing into Marshbrook.
Having found the bike shop and Tom having got his new tubes the group set of back to Dorrington in the poring rain, stopping in Little Stratton for a hot drink in the Ragleth Inn.
Back on road with rain still falling the group continued on through Church Stretton leaving Roy in All Stratton.
To avoid the A49 the group followed the lanes that were covered in standing water and gravel to arrive back at Netley Hall rather wet.
In the group. Sue, Janet, Ivan, Tom, Bob, Dave, Roy and the two John's. Miles 27. Ascent 1200 ft.
Wednesday 5th June
With the forecast for a dry day but with a south westerly wind eight members set off from Netley Hall to Ludlow.
Leaving the complex around ten o'clock they headed into Dorrington to cross the A49 to Little Ryton, then along a quieter road running parallel with A49.
Along this road John R nearly came to grief crossing a shallow ford then minutes later Janet disappeared of the road into deep ditch covered in long grass, but was pulled out none the worse.
With everyone having stopped it was back to turning the pedals to meet up with Anita and Roy in All Stretton.
Having met up with Anita and Roy it was onto Church Stretton for tea, coffee and cake at Mr Bun the Baker café.
Church Stretton sits in a deep valley between The Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge so it came as no surprise to be confronted with a long climb out of Church Stretton.
Regrouping at the top was followed by short descent to Hope Bowdler where they turned right to Soudley and Ticklerton into a strong head wind.
After a false downhill the road reared up again through a wooded section (Harton Wood) over Wenlock Edge to Westhope.
From Westhope the road wound its way down a narrow valley to New Ho to join the B4365 for three miles, before turning left to Stanton Lacy.
Still with a headwind that had been with the group for most of the way they entered Ludlow with another steep hill to climb, only find a cafe at the top.
Having arrived just before the cafe closed at two o'clock it was something with eggs for most before setting of back to Dorrington.
Anita and Roy decided to catch the train back and were able to have time to look round Ludlow before their train arrived.
The rest had the prospect of following their wheel tracks back, unable to a find an alternative way back.
With a following wind it made the terrain back much easier especially for John R who was on his normal bike, while the rest were on e-bikes with the exception of Tom.
Having followed the same route back, as always the views were different although the climbs didn’t get any easier unless you were on an e-bike.
That evening was spent in the Horseshoes Inn for the group to get together for a meal.
In the group Sue, Janet, Anita, Bob, Dave, Tom, Roy, Ivan and the two John's Miles 50. Ascent 2786 ft.
Thursday 6th June
On bright morning with a cold westerly wind Anita cycled from All Stretton along A49 to join the Netley Hall contingent, followed not long behind by Roy in his car.
With the prospect of a fifteen mile hilly ride and the chance of rain before lunch the group set of following John's Garmin.
After crossing the A49 for the umpteenth time it was on through Little Ryton and on towards Frodesley as dark rain clouds could be seen to their right.
As expected the first spots of rain were felt that brought the group to a halt under some trees, with the rain getting worse.
Setting of again, this time all togged up in wet weather gear, the group pressed on to Frodesley encountering the first real climb of the day.
After Regrouping on top, it was then all downhill into Acton Burnell passing Concord College, situated in the grounds of Acton Burnell Castle. The college admits students aged between 12 and 19; the majority of whom come from overseas.
With more up and downs the real sting in tail came just after Hughley a long steep climb to join the B4371 just as rain decided to make its presence felt again.
The climb having split the group it was decided for some to carry on due to the heavy rain, while some on e-bikes waited for the rest to make it to the top.
With conditions worsening it was now all downhill into Much Wenlock to find the others waiting, before finding a pub for lunch.
Rather wet the group soon found a pub named the Talbot Inn on the narrow High Street with its old historic buildings.
After a good meal in the warm surroundings of the pub and with the rain heavier than ever no one was in a hurry to move.
Eventually with the rain having stopped it was decided to make a dash for it, leaving Much Wenlock by the B4378 up a steep hill towards Bourton.
On reaching Bourton they turned right to join the B4371; this was not before another short steep climb.
Turning right at the junction they joined the road they came out on, back down the steep hill that some struggled up back to Hughley.
Leaving Hughley the road climbed again to Church Preen where Bob and Dave carried straight on, when they should have turned left towards Chatwell Hall.
Now without Bob and Dave the rest continued on following John's Garmin with the sky above getting darker it was no surprise to hear thunder.
Just before Chatwall Hall the heavens opened up with the sound of thunder and lightning so the group searching for shelter under some trees.
Anita and Roy had other ideas, they so a barn up the road that they managed to open the door, and soon they were all taking shelter inside the building.
The storm having past the group set of negotiating the flooded lanes that were strewn with gravel from the storm, after a few ascents it was mostly all downhill to Longnor.
Back on familiar roads although covered in standing water and debris they finally arrived back at Netley Hall rather wet.
In the group. Sue, Anita, Janet, Bob, Dave, Ivan, Tom Roy and the two John’s Miles 32 Ascent 2458ft