Wyre We Riding

Despite the heat and a certain World Cup match late the night before, there was a decent turn out for Wyre We Riding yesterday.

I left my house for the 4 mile cycle to The Village Cafe at around 8.45am so I had plenty of time to get a coffee and some breakfast in the sunshine. Riders were already there when I arrived and as the time ticked on, more turned up and enjoyed a coffee or two which was nice to see and I hope boosted the cafe’s coffers for the day.

I gave my customary introduction at 10am with a couple of instructions on what to look out for then we all rolled out together which is always nice. After a couple of miles we were quickly onto the first trail through Sion House Farm and belting it down to the A450 for a careful crossing of the main road then the short, steep climb that leads riders to the sketchy sand on the descent which always freaks a few out. My legs however just didn’t feel like they had any zip and would be the theme for the rest of the day.

By the time we’d crossed the A456 and were climbing parallel to the golf course in Blakedown the group had naturally split and there were about 5 of us in ours.

When we dropped onto the canal, Richard, one of the riders commented how good the towpath was. It is, in my opinion, some of the best towpath in the area and a real treat to ride along particularly on the quieter sections because it’s flat and fast and has good visibility ahead so you have plenty of time to slow down for other users.

At Stourport we alighted and rode across to Burlish Top for the fast, traffic-free descent to the outskirts of Bewdley. Thankfully all the flood alleviation works, by the bridge, are completed now and the road was fully open. The climb out of town was steady and I was happily dropped and left on my own. My legs were obviously not on a float day so I decided to kick back and nurse my effort.

After a fast descent into the forest to pick up the old railway line, it was nice to get in some shade. I’d been notified of a trail closure earlier in the week and had amended the course, so it was ironic to see it open as I rode past. The climb upto the visitors centre I found quite hard going but I was rewarded by a fast descent back to the railway line where I saw some of the other riders just beginning their forest loop.

The climb up from Dowles Brook was a slog. In the hot sun, no wind and a re-dressed surface of thick, new gravel made it harder than it needed to be. I knew I needed to stop, so with Arley coming up I’d already made the call. I crossed the bridge and was surprised to see Arley Tearoom so quiet. I went for a chunky piece of carrot cake, some water and a bottle of coke which didn’t last long.

Cake done, I didn’t hang around too long as I wasn’t in the shade and made tracks into Eyemore Wood before the lengthy climb up from Trimpley Reservoir where I did began to find some rhythm and feel a bit better but things ground to halt as I sped down the next byway and my front tyre went soft. I pulled over into the shade. I had a standard tube to replace the TPU one I had (first ever TPU puncture btw!) but it wouldnt stay up. After some faffing I found a pin hole next to the valve and had to use my last tube which was another TPU. By this time Richard and Hayley who I’d ridden with earlier had stopped. I pumped it up by hand and topped it up with my compressor and Richard and I set off to catch Hayley up.

We regrouped in Wolverley and stopped at a cafe on the canal called Riverbank Rest. It’s a small popup in a couple’s garden who have renovated the property and they were lovely. I could have just fell asleep at this point I was so tired now.

We carried on past Caunsall and jumped off at Whittington to cross the A449 and pick up the final series of bridleways on the outskirts of Stourbridge. The final bridlway before the summit finish was the worst one for brambles and stingers but still rideable. As we exited my back tyre went soft and just before we crossed the road in Clent to begin the final ascent I had to make a choice. Take Richard’s kind offer of a tube or limp home. I was knackered to be honest and couldn’t be arsed to change it. The legs were ok, I was just cooked, literally, so I bid them farewell. A quick call to Sally confirmed there was no pickup available and I was out of tubes so I pumped it up and rode about a mile back to Belbroughton before it needed the same again. I repeated this about 5 more times on the way home but I did get back ok.

It was a great ride again. I think a combination of darts, too much beer and a late night on Friday, a ride in the heat and another late night on Saturday night watching the England game caught up with me, so not too bothered

Thanks to everyone that came and rode. It was a tough day out in the heat

See you on the next one

Adios