Five explore Shropshire - HIBC

Mid-June saw a handful of HIBC members head over to the Clun Valley in the heart
of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

From our very comfortable base at Wayside House and the adjacent campsite in
Aston on Clun, we spent five days cycling quiet country lanes taking us through
some pretty villages and lush, unspoilt landscapes.

Aside from the smallest of the back lanes the road surfaces were a stark contrast
from the constant potholes of Cambridgeshire. And the drivers were remarkably
considerate, too!

Our day trips saw us weaving in and out of Wales and took us to Ironbridge and
Ludlow, enjoying spectacular views of the gorge and the castle, respectively. We had
leisurely lunch stops at a vineyard, in the courtyard of Ludlow castle and in
picturesque Church Stretton.

Craig, Paul, Nick, and Jill at Ironbridge

At the end of each ride we came home to hearty dinners cooked by each of us in
turn and spent our evenings chatting in the large conservatory.We rode between 30 and 60 miles each day at a brioche pace, climbing just under 3,500 feet on the longest day to Ironbridge and back. Craig also managed to get in some off roading up and along the Long Mynd.

Nick and Andy at the C19 fingerpost in Little Brampton

For future reference, Wayside House and campsite made for a great combination.

The house is spacious with five large bedrooms and the campsite is well equipped
for tents and campervans.

I suspect there are plenty more good rides to explore in this area, so long as you can
avoid the A49!