No.9 Shropshire Thrills

1 thought on “No.9 Shropshire Thrills”

1. 

   Steven Jenkins

   28 July 2024 at 7:44 pm

   You weren’t kidding about the hills! We started at Lyth Hill, as recommended, we didn’t fancy negotiating Shrewsbury traffic. The route soon goes into a long, steady (for the first 7 miles) climb, before really kicking up for the last mile and a half, up to the top of Long Mynd. It’s not impossible, just take your time, choose the gears carefully and remember to keep your head up and enjoy the views as you’re climbing. It’s definitely worth it, and it takes your mind off the long climb. At the top of the Mynd, at Pole Bank, the views are particularly spectacular on a clear day, and we were blessed with perhaps the best riding day of 2024 so far. There is a sparcity of pubs and cafes on the route, although the Crown at Wentnor isn’t far off route. There is a cafe at The Bog Visitor Centre, but they mainly sell cake, not sandwiches. There is a pub in Pontesbury, just before you ride through the little town/village, and it’s a friendly place, right on the ford. All in all, it’s a challenging ride, as described, none of it impossible, and all of it beautiful. The last few miles are a dream, downhill all the way to the bottom of Lyth Hill, Lyth Bank, before the last mile of climb back to the car, and this was where Sylvia’s ebike battery gave up the ghost. It’s never done that before on 38 miles, but the 9 mile hill at the beginning really sapped the power. I rode it on a non electric hybrid, nothing special, and it was perfectly rideable and very enjoyable. The GPX route was impeccably accurate as always, thanks Jack.

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