Jane our host at the Queens Ludlow provided us with bacon butties and boiled eggs for breakfast. A great start for a long ride. Our self catering accommodation had worked out well and is highly recommended.
www.thequeensludlow.com
The sun was shining and the wind was at last from the South West. Once again Chris and I stuck to our planned route and Phil did his own thing.
The views in all directions from Wenlock Edge were stunning. Brown Clee Hill, Titterstone Clee, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley., the Breidon hills, the Long Mynd and the Wrekin were easily picked out and brought back memories of Shropshire fell races.
Alfred Houseman's a Shropshire Lad was ringing in my ears :
But after crossing the river Severn and proceeding North to Market Drayton the ride somewhat deteriorated as we hit Cheshire. The state of the roads were awful and the scenery was flat and uninspiring.
We met up with Phil at Market Drayton and enjoyed an excellent lunch at a Cafe in the centre of the town.
Our journey to Wigan took us via Nantwich and Knutsford where we stopped for an expensive cup of tea and cake. We crossed the Manchester Ship Canal by a spectacular bridge and headed onto Wigan. Although it isn't now as George Orwell described it in "The road to Wigan Pier " it still has a depressed feel about it.
The Wrightington Hotel, organised by Phil was a lovely bit of luxury to reward us for a tough day. We arrived at nearly 19.30 and my body was feeling very stiff and battered. But after 4 days riding we are now a long way from Lands End and the Lake District and Scotland beckons us
http://www.wrightingtonhotel.co.uk/spa/
www.thequeensludlow.com
The sun was shining and the wind was at last from the South West. Once again Chris and I stuck to our planned route and Phil did his own thing.
The views in all directions from Wenlock Edge were stunning. Brown Clee Hill, Titterstone Clee, Caer Caradoc, the Lawley., the Breidon hills, the Long Mynd and the Wrekin were easily picked out and brought back memories of Shropshire fell races.
Alfred Houseman's a Shropshire Lad was ringing in my ears :
On Wenlock Edge the wood's in trouble
His forest fleece the Wrekin heaves;
The gale, it piles the Saplings double
And thick on Severn snow the leaves
But after crossing the river Severn and proceeding North to Market Drayton the ride somewhat deteriorated as we hit Cheshire. The state of the roads were awful and the scenery was flat and uninspiring.
We met up with Phil at Market Drayton and enjoyed an excellent lunch at a Cafe in the centre of the town.
Our journey to Wigan took us via Nantwich and Knutsford where we stopped for an expensive cup of tea and cake. We crossed the Manchester Ship Canal by a spectacular bridge and headed onto Wigan. Although it isn't now as George Orwell described it in "The road to Wigan Pier " it still has a depressed feel about it.
The Wrightington Hotel, organised by Phil was a lovely bit of luxury to reward us for a tough day. We arrived at nearly 19.30 and my body was feeling very stiff and battered. But after 4 days riding we are now a long way from Lands End and the Lake District and Scotland beckons us
http://www.wrightingtonhotel.co.uk/spa/
Impressive progress guys. Don't forget the tea and cake stops :) Hope the wind stays with you.
ReplyDeleteit's a good read and a great adventure Mike. Keep up the good cycling and touristing! I cannot think of a better way to see the beauty of the country and keep fit at the same time. So much better than just booming it up the middle to merely 'get there'. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMatt O'Connor