The Best Cycling in Europe – Shropshire & the Welsh Borders

Miles from a motorway, the Shropshire/Herefordshire borderlands have remained unspoilt with little traffic.  Add in fantastic scenery and great food, and not surprisingly, it has become a mecca for cyclists.   Here’s some & ideas for great cycle rides.

Cycling maps You can buy Cycling for Pleasure cycling maps covering Shropshire , Herefordshire and the Welsh borders are available from tourist information centres or direct from wheelywonderfulcycling@gmail.com or you can visit  www.shropshiregreatoutdoors.co.uk  for downloadable Pdfs of routes in Shropshire.

 

National Cycle Network routes in the area

• Six Castles Cycle way (NCN route 44) – Shrewsbury-Ludlow-Leominster – Hereford & Symonds Yat
• Mercian Way (NCN route 45) – Whitchurch-Shrewsbury-Ironbridge-Bridgnorth-Wyre Forest-Bewdley

For more details about the National cycle Network visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Shropshire’s most scenic cycle route.  Chris Dartnell, partner in Wheely Wonderful Cycling says “this has to be the ride from Leintwardine in the Teme Valley (4 miles west of Ludlow) and Clun.  The route along the Teme and Redlake valley, gradually leads you uphill through a cleft in the hills.  In fact we call it cycling uphill without noticing it.  There are pubs, teashops and castles at all the right places. You go though hamlets with absurd names like Leinthall Starkes & New Invention.  End up at the top of the Clun hills, then take a two mile downhill all the way to Clun. Perfect”

Family Friendly cycling

The reason the area is so popular for cyclists is the lack of cars on the tiny country lanes, and the network of lanes following river valleys, that offer easy cycling.  The Cycling for Pleasure maps list the best routes and family friendly cycle routes can also be found on www.shropshiregreatoutdoors.co.uk  There is a family off road route at Hopton Woods and Wapley hill and if you travel a bit further afield there is a fabulous route alongside the Severn Valley railway from the Severn Valley country Park.  Youngsters can also learn to ride at the Shropshire hills Discovery Centre’s special 200m trail.

Cycling from South Shropshire’s Market Towns

Each of the Shropshire market Towns has a set of cycle routes and map, with circular cycling routes of different grades. For details see  www.shropshiregreatoutdoors.co.uk

Cycle Shops

Shropshire has a big range of specialist, expert cycle shops & businesses – all drawn to the area because of the excellence of the cycling opportunities.

Ludlow

Pearce Cycles – mountain bike specialist

Epic cycles – road bike specialist

Marshbrook near Church Stretton

Blazing bikes – mountain bikes

Lands End to John O’Groats – Lejog in Shropshire

All summer long cyclists  pass through Shropshire on their epic cycle of 800 miles from Lands End in Cornwall to John O’Groats at the very tip of Scotland.  Generally Lejog cyclists spend about 2 days travelling up the English/ Welsh border…so an overnight stop in Shropshire is always a good idea.  The best places for overnight accommodation are Clun, Ludlow and Church Stretton.  All offer a good range of accommodation, great places to eat close to the accommodation and can deal with larger groups.  Look for the “Cyclists Welcome”  to know that you will stay in a place that provides everything a weary cyclist needs.  And there are decent bikes shops for spares at Ludlow and Marshbrook near Church Stretton.

For mountain bikers – Shropshire has long been a popular destination for mountain biking.  The Forestry Commission  and National Trust have worked hard to provide some great routes. .

• Hopton Woodnear Craven Arms, managed by the Forestry Commission, is a prime mountain biking site which hosts national level competitions, and has both cross-country and serious downhill trails.
• Eastridge Woods near Pontesbury is also managed by the Forestry Commission and has a short easy loop, a longer difficult red route (the Revelation Trail), plus some serious downhill runs.
• There are also off-road cycling trails atMortimer Forest and Bury Ditches.
• The Long Mynd also has a great variety of tracks and ‘natural singletrack’ trails. It is a sensitive area for conservation, managed by the National Trust, so please follow onlyapproved routes,

 New for bike packers, Marcher Castles Way A 290km/180-mile off-road adventure filled with stunning beauty and rich history of the English-Welsh border

Starting in the historic town of Shrewsbury, you’re immediately immersed in rich history and beautiful scenery, from the Roman ruins at Wroxeter to the industrial heritage of Ironbridge. As you leave Ironbridge, the hills begin to rise, with steady climbs and rolling terrain. Each climb rewards you with breath-taking views, from the mythic Wenlock Edge to the Clee Hills, offering panoramic views across Wales and England.

The beauty of Marcher Castles Way isn’t just in its historical landmarks and scenic trails, but also in the physical challenge it presents. The constant hills and gradual climbs make it a ride that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Pearce Cycles of Ludlow also offer Uplift days at Hopton, Bringewood And Bucknell forests

They use Landrover 110s that pull custom designed trailers that carry your bike safely and securely up the hill for you.  Then all you have to do is cycle downhill. The Uplift is suitable for downhill bikes, trail and enduro bikes . At most venues there are trails of all grades accessible from the uplift drop off points. This service brings downhill training to a new level, giving you the opportunity to do up to 20 runs a day!   As well as these organised days Pearce can provide uplift for private bookings with a minimum 10 riders. 

Top cycling events – Shropshire is host to some brilliant cycling events . This list is subject to change – please check dates online.

“The Shropshire Highlands Challenge”, run by the indefatigable Danny Mason for the last 25 years. This is not a race, but a challenging 65 mile (and 6,000ft of ascent) ride on quiet roads and lanes among the beautiful Shropshire hills. You never know who you may be riding alongside –  anyone from former World champions to Tour de France competitors. www.shropshirehighlandschallenge.co.uk

The world’s only “Tandem Triathlon”, starting from Bishop’s Castle, involving a 1km swim (one person), 35km tandem ride  and 10km run (1 person).  Then celebrate the ride by staying for the Bishop’s Castle Carnival the next day. (www.tandemtriathlon.org.uk)

Cycling Events

Storm the Castle Duathlon – Ludlow

Pearce Downhill MTB Series

Pearce cycles uplift days

Shropshire Highlands Challenge . www.shropshirehighlandschallenge.co.uk  65 miles & climb 7000ft or take on the family challenge.

Tandem Triathlon Bishops Castle – – the world’s only tandem triathlon.