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Directions & GPX etc
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
TCX file (right click to download)
FIT file (right click to download)
Glorious Bike Rides
Glorious Bike Rides
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
TCX file (right click to download)
FIT file (right click to download)
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Classic route using predominately very quiet lane some of which are little more than farm tracks, the climb up onto Marcle Ridge is a challenge but worth it for the views from the ridgeway. The turn for the singletrack bridleway along the ridge is not easy to spot, it’s immediately after the water reservoir and looks like someone’s drive, if you miss it and go down into Winslow Mill you’ll be faced with another grind back up onto the ridge. Weston Cider is worth calling in for lunch, or just a coffee. The lanes through to May Hill are glorious, lulling you into a false sense of security just before you hit the lung bursting climb up onto May Hill, but again worth it for the views and the eye watering descent into Newent. The lanes taking you back into Ledbury include deep holloways and green tunnels of foliage. A great day out
Great ride Jack, through a beautiful part of the country. Started just east of Malvern, so added the bottom end of 13 on to the start in Ledbury. Gravel wasn’t the first choice for the four of us so we missed out the western loop down the Marcle Ridge, but I will comeback to do it in the future. The rest of the route wound it’s way through lovely south Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, up and over May Hill, eventually depositing us in Newent for some late lunch. We detoured north to visit St Mary’s, Bromsberrow, where the church holds two cavalry standards from the Civil War (1642), then headed north to Eastnor, and on to Ledbury – tea and cake – before a return over the Malvern to our finish. Thanks Jack, we might not have done the full route (riffing on the theme), but a great experience, inspired by your research and memories of a youth spent in the area.
Rode this on Saturday March 9 in glorious spring sunshine. Three thoughts:
1. Classic lost lanes territory in a quintessentially English rural landscape.
2. Off road bridleway along Marcle Ridge was really churned up by horses despite dry weather over recent weeks – I would probably avoid in future.
3. Well worth doing this in the first couple of weeks of March for the amazing displays of wild daffodils – several of the villages (Dymock, Kempley) host daffodil weekends around this time of year.
Just to echo Tom’s point above – I did this route last week and absolutely loved all the daffodils. I was also surprised by how old many of the buildings along the way are.
The off‑road bridleway on the ascent was pretty churned up and muddy, but you can avoid most of it by sticking to the edge on foot or even an off route track parallel to the main route. The track along the top and on the descent was mostly dry and firm, which made for a fairly bumpy ride.
Definitely recommend taking an MTB for this one.
I stopped for a cider and some lunch at Westons, and then a beer at the Alma – both well worth it.
We completed it in a clockwise direction, still a steep climb up May Hill! We carried our camping kit for a wild camp in the woods on Marcle ridge. Marcle ridge can be bumpy, but walking is a great option. A fantastic route with some glorious quiet lanes. The village hall in Linton has an outside tap for refilling your water bottles. Much Marcle’s yew is worth a stop, fantastic.
Thanks for the reviews, they persuaded us to pick this route during Daffodil season.
Great work Jack, looking forward to the Scotland book.