About Shropshire Hills Cyclist

 This blog comes out of riding around all the hills of South Shropshire.  This mainly happens during the regular "Thursday Ride" group activities - a set of Shropshire cyclists who head out one day a week (you guess which) to ride the climbs - get in contact if you fancy riding with us.

Here's all the climbs covered on this blog:

21 to 25%

• Woolstanton
• Asterton Bank
• Stiperstones from Bridges
• Lawley Tripleberg

20% ers

• Basford Bank
• The Burway
• Edgton
• Cardington
• Minton Rd

16 to 19%

• Kenley Bank
• The Wrekin
• Brockton
• Harold's Bank
• Ash Lea
• Hugley Hill
• Habberley Hill

 Looking for climbs and routes in Wales, or even in Europe (the Alps, Pyrenees, Italy) - go to the Rideventures blog:

 

Tour d'Arts Alive sportive pics

A set of pics from last Sunday's sportive (26th June) are available on the main event website:

 



Stretton-Aber-Stretton

Friday 27th May ride from Church Stretton to Aberystwyth to visit the Aber Cycle Fest and watch the circuit racing - http://www.abercyclefest.com/ and then ride back on the 28th.

260km and 4,500m of climbing over 2 days.  Route and café stops all planned by Neil.

We met at Plush Hill - eventually there were 7 of us

 

First of many unusual/great café stops was at Knighton

 

Robin caught up with us in Rhayader to photo the peloton start the big Elan Valley climb

Day 2 was even better weather and a great route back...

 

...with more food stops - this one in Llanidlois

The Inbetweener route on Tour d'Arts Alive

This is a new route for 2016 and has provoked a lot of interest - it marks a significant step up from the Short route but doesn't have the major climbs of the Long One.



Description
All routes start in Clun and go East on a wide road which will be traffic-light on a Sunday morning.  This is a warm-up opportunity that turns North and then gets to the first route split - the Short One goes East and starts immediately climbing, the Long and Inbetweener continue together.

After another mile or two there is another split - this time the Inbetweener goes off East, drops down to the A488 for 500m of main road than an extreme left turn off and up - you'd be well advised to get into an easy gear before the turn.  This is a long climb up all the way to Asterton village.  Initially quite steep, then gentle, then one more steep bit before getting to the hamlet.

From Asterton there's a good descent to enjoy then some quite lanes before reaching the Food Stop at Norbury School - cycle in the first entrance and go around the back of the school, you can exit from the 2nd entrance.

Inbetweener preview riders near Lydbury



Shortly after that is a right turn up into the actual village of Norbury and more quiet lanes all the way around to Lydbury.  From here its on to Bishop's Castle and a left turn just before to start heading up the second big hill on the route - the Oakeley Wood climb.  This one is long and quite a bit is hidden at the start.

Another good descent off this climb brings the route back around to its route split - the Inbetweener is a figure of 8 that comes back after its Norbury loop to retrace the way it came out.  It goes back from the Inbtweener split point to the Short route split point - and then joins the Short route to climb up towards Edgton.

From here the route is the same as the Short One - description here.

Inbetweener stats

Distance - 70km / 43 miles
Total climbing - 750m / 2,500ft

 

 

Ride with GPS map

 

 

www.tourdartsalive.co.uk

Tour d'Arts Alive - The Long One

The 110km Long route on the Tour is pretty much unchanged from 2015.  It was popular last year with participants commenting on the mix of challenging climbs, high mountain roads and quick, safe descents.

Route Description

The Long route riders will have plenty of warm up from the start in Clun all the way around to Bishop's Castle where a brief ramp in the town (Col du Bishop's Castle on Strava) takes them out on another long, fast road over to Chuchstoke.  Just after Churchstoke they'll encounter the first and actually the most difficult obstacle   - Weston Bank. 

Weston Bank

This toughie comes immediately after the food stop in Priestweston and goes upwards at a good 15% for a long stretch.  Climbers will need to save something for the top as it's the steepest bit.  Luckily there's no "tail" to this climb - it hits 20% briefly and then flattens almost immediately - full description on separate page.

A remote, high road up on Stiperstones is their reward before a safe descent down towards Bridges and a ride north before the 2nd climb - known as Ker's Climb on Strava - a shorter hill up and over the northern end on the Long Mynd (great views) towards Picklescott and another fast descent.

Ker's Climb

They then ride though the Strettons and out going south to encounter the short but nasty Minton Road climb.  This is usually gravelly and can catch out the unaware.   A drop through more gravelly roads gets them around to the long but gentle climb up to Edgton.  Here they join up with the Inbetweener and Short route riders and all drop together towards Aston-on-Clun.

Hopton Castle

New for 2016 is a right turn in Aston and out via very quiet roads to pass by Hopton Castle thus avoiding about half of the local B-roads used in 2015.  A new food stop in Bucknell leads to the usual scenic road around to New Invention and the last climb around the back with an average grade of 10%, and a final screaming descent down into Clun - lots of people commented on the fast return into Clun in 2015.



Stats, map and profile

Imperial Units - 68 miles and 5,000ft total climb

Metric - 110km and 1,525m of climbing

Ride with GPS map - link

68 mile/110km

5,000ft/1,525m

Burway pics

Whilst out recce'ing the Round the Wrekin sportive I was able to get The Burway in all it's glory - it really is that steep and hopefuly it'll be just as sunny on the Sunday 22nd when the Epic riders take it on - (though leave some for the Stiperstones climb as that's next and it's steeper!):

You climb out of Church Stretton and past lots of houses on a wide road then come to these signs and a cattle grid

Just past the cattle grid it really is that steep

You come out on to the open moors but still climbing hard - though keep something back as there is plenty to go

Round the Armco corner it still hard and doesn't let up until you are at that hill in the distance

More pics and full size over on Flickr.com

Full description and climb stats on the main Burway page

Tour d'Arts Alive date fixed and open for entries

Go to www.tourdartsalive.co.uk 

Beryl Burton in Bishops Castle

Tour of Britain ride

Just about the nearest point for Shropshire cyclists is the First Stage finish in Wrexham on Sunday 6th September.  Before they get to the town there is a final, possibly decisive Cat 2 climb on the A494 out of Ruthin.

The Plan
Meet at Llangollen at mid-day. Ride over to near Ruthin, see the Tour climb, then descend down the hill they've just come up and go back to Llangollen.  

Our bike ride will take in both sides of the Horseshoe Pass and do "The Shelf" - a long climb out of Ruthin.

50km and 1,000m of climbing - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9885152

Email to andy@rideventures.co.uk if you fancy joining us.

Lake Vyrnwy Big Day Out

Thursday 20th August

Join us for the classic ride around the lake with a little diversion up one of the highest road passes in Wales (and lunch in Bala).

Details

2 options:

1) coach pickup in Shrewsbury (Meole Brace) 9.30am (£5 contribution to fuel)

2) meet us at Lake Vyrnwy at 10.30

Go to the cafe by the dam.  Start riding by 11am, lunch in Bala.

Route goes around the lake, up the easy side of Bwlch y Groes (545m), over to Bala Lake then back via another hill - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9500385 

If you fancy joining us email - and if you want a place on the coach say so or we'll bring the wrong size coach!

Clun Sportive pics

160 riders took on the 2 routes of the Clun Sportive last Sunday.  They set off in light drizzle and came back in bright sunshine and with big smiles all around.  Whole event a huge success and one we'll be doing again - 130+ pictures from the day at https://www.facebook.com/artsalivelike 

Provisional date for 2016 - 26th June.

Clun Sportive update

Wednesday Update - 

Places - a few places have become available due to last minute drop outs - contact if you have been disappointed.  

The Event Packs have been distributed to all participants - download a version from the Rideventures website.  

There are also route cards to download for the Clun 100 and Clun 50

Clun Sportive update

Due to a recent surge in numbers we are very near our capacity for the event - there are a few places left.  We are very likely to fill up way before our late June closing date - enter NOW to avoid disappointment!

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/123915/The-Clun-Sportive 

Provisional date for 2016 is Sunday 26th June.

Clun Sportive recon ride out

Good Friday saw a group us try out the first 18km of the Clun 50 - this included the first challenge on the course: the climb up to Edgton.

Another recon ride coming soon.

Weston Bank

Riding the Hill

Once in the small hamlet of Priestweston head north-east and upwards from the cross-roads.  There's a short steep bit and then you pass the Miner's Arms pub on the left and head around towards the left and upwards.  You pass a "17%" sign which is useful, clearly there is something serious up ahead...

Initially tree cover hides what is to come and it is possible to set a pace that isn't going to be sustainable. If you take it slow however almost the full length of the steep hill soon becomes apparent - it wobbles upwards relatively straight and looks like it gets steeper towards the end (which is correct).   This long bit is pretty much at 15% the whole way and goes on for approximately 500m.  You'd be forgiven for thinking this is the hardest part but it's not.

Right at the end it kicks up most probably to 20% for the final 50m.  This can be defeating, definitely a hill to take carefully and keep something back for the last push.  Almost immediately you top out and find a useful pull over spot on the left to catch your breath and admire the views.

Weston Bank is the first major challenge on the Clun Sportive.

Details:

Distance	0.7km
Ave. Gradient	13%
Max Gradient	20%
Elevation Gained	95m
Conditions	relatively wide, clean road
Strava Link	Link

Clun recon ride

Clun Sportive reconnoitre ride - join us on Good Friday for an introduction to the sportive - the first 18km of the Clun 50 route,includes a stop in a cafe on the way back.  28km in total, the route will take in the first challenge of the 50 route (Edgton Hill). 
 

11am start from Clun Memorial Hall

Intended for the new sportive rider so this will be a gentle introduction to the Clun 50.  

Email if you want to come along, numbers limited - andy@rideventures.co.uk 

Route available at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7107940

All the climbs on the Clun Sportive

Here are all the significant climbs on the Clun 100 and Clun 50 showing the height gained during each climb plus a link to their Strava page.

The Clun 100 has a total of 1,400m of climbing and the Clun 50 has 500m.


Clun 100 Strava Climbs:

1)  Totterton to BC - https://www.strava.com/segments/2526851  - 51m

2)  Col du Bishops Castle - https://www.strava.com/segments/6385777 - 52m

3)  Priestweston - https://www.strava.com/segments/4137709 - 95m

4)  Kers climb - https://www.strava.com/segments/3502466 - 69m

5)  Minton rd - https://www.strava.com/segments/3640114 - 44m

6)  Edgton - Manor Farm Cottage Climb -

https://www.strava.com/segments/892797 - 105m

7)  A488 climb - https://www.strava.com/segments/3384592 - 89m

Clun 50 Strava climbs 

1)  Edgton - https://www.strava.com/segments/3757004 - 104m

2)  A488 climb - https://www.strava.com/segments/3384592 - 89m

The Clun 50

Here is the route for the Clun 50 - set for Sunday 28th June 2015.  This route features two significant climbs - neither very steep but both quite long.  484m of total climbing with the final challenge leading to a fast descent back into Clun.

It's designed to be a good challenge for the new sportive rider - nothing too steep and with plenty of easy riding in between.

The sportive is part of the Tour d'Arts Alive day of cycling activities in Clun - more at www.artsalive.co.uk/tour

Here's the route map:

Link to Ride with GPS interactive map version - here

Here's the elevation profile:

Route overview:

A 12km run out of Clun on fairly flat roads will warm you up and then a right turn starts you on the long climb up to Edgton before a good descent to Aston-on-Clun and the first food stop.  Further "bumpy" lanes take you over towards Bucknell and then a very gently rise up to Chapel Lawn before a final long climb and fast desent into Clun.  Route is actually 46km in total.

Highest point - 350m, lowest point - 124m

 

The Clun 100

Here is the first draft of the new sportive we're organising for this summer - Sunday 28th June.  It starts in Clun, and actually goes for 110km and a total of 1,428m of climbing (Ride with GPS estimate though likely to be more in reality).

More details and how to enter via this link - www.artsalive.co.uk/tour

Here's the route map:

Link to Ride with GPS interactive map version - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6765015

Elevation profile image:

Route overview:

Go East out of Clun for a fairly flat warm-up ride for 12km then an easy hill over to Bishops Castle and more fast riding all the way to Churchstoke.  A short, stiff climb gets you to Priestweston and the first food stop at 34km - stock up because you then go immediately up a very steep hill.  More climbing gets you up and over Stiperstones then a good descent to Bridges and on to climb the northern shoulder of the Long Mynd before descending again.   

You turn after Picklescott and start riding towards Church Stretton, a quick ascent up the steep Minton Rd and then a longer climb up to Edgton gets you descending to Aston-on-Clun and the second food stop.  From here is is easy roads through Brampton and Chapel Lawn before a final long hill and then a fast descent into Clun.

Highest point - 430m, lowest point - 124m

Entry:

   You can enter this event directly on the British Cycling website

There is also The Clun 50 - more details to follow.

Double Loop routes

Double loop routes for January.  We'll do a short first loop going out for 15 or 20km before returning to Stretton, then another loop to complete the usual 40km.  These routes are for the time pressed cyclist who can come along for the first hour only.

First route - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6727499