This route is probably the longest time I’ve ever taken from idea to devising a route to then ride it. It was born out of idea I had when I was riding home along NCN 45 after a tour around wales and thought this would be a great gravel ride. That was 2018 and it took me until last year to actually get it down and ride it. It went well last year for the first one. Good numbers, great weather. And it was the same again this year too + a bonus loop to enjoy.
Severn Valley Country Park is only 35 mins from my house so I left just before 9am and rocked up around 9.30am. It was quiet, no Parkrun to contend with this time. There were a few already there getting ready. Bike sorted I had time for a coffee so I sat in the sun on the bench outside and watched as everyone rolled up. Some familiar faces, some not.
Introductions done, we rolled out at 10am, down the hill and crossed the miners bridge then the ups and downs of the path to Hampton Loade that parallels the Severn Valley Railway line. I thought it may be overgrown given no one has maintained it properly since 2024 but yesterday I found out that the Parish Council had done a deal with SVR who own it, so it’s future and upkeep seem safe for the foreseeable, which is great news.
At Hampton Loade we climbed away from the river then dropped down to Chelmarsh Resevoir where the bridleway climb up its side really gets the heart and lungs pumping. At this point I found myself in a small group which split as we took on the punchy bridleways and lanes that lead into Bridgnorth.
Then we dropped out of High Town, through the golf course then picked up NCN45 again along the disused railway line. The guys in my group really got a lick on here. It was just on the wrong side of comfortable for me so I eased off a touch and let them drift off ahead. I learned my lesson from burning too many matches too early last year.
Just south of Ironbridge we dropped off the main trail and began the leg-sapping climb of Caughley Rd/Pound Lane. It’s a seemingly endless drag after a nastily steep start that you can blow up on if you push too hard. I settled into a nice rhythm and could see the 3 from my original group with one despatched who I caught and passed.
Into Broseley now for a bit of tarmac and another climb through the high street and then I dropped onto another bridleway which took me west and popped me out on Lodge Lane and another draggy climb up to Bentall Hall where a couple of bridleways lead me onto the steep road down to the Ironbridge itself. Here 3 others were coming the other way who had missed the turn off and the loop via Broseley and Benthall, but more importantly the climb! The bridge and high street were buzzing. Not surprising really given the weather. I snapped the bridge and then the 4 of us set off on the new course I’d plotted up a long, steep back street that then took us offroad into Rough Park, over the top and a steep descent, with some steps thrown in, to Rough Park Way to pick up the original route. I was happy with the new route despite the climb being a bit of a stinger.
We rode a short section of Rough Park Way and then it was over the main road to Lightmoor to ride the bonus loop I’d found for this year’s route. It worked out really well, I think. Almost 100% offroad, the only downside was I thought we returned under the road and railway line but we had to carry our bikes over the fence and the line but it wasn’t too hard. Back on Rough Park Way for the final section then the long, steady descent back to Coalport, past Blists Hill. I’m considering reversing the route next year but the climb from Coalport puts me off at the moment lol.
We crossed Coalport Bridge then picked up NCN45 south and picked up the speed again helped by the very slight downhill all the way back. In the distance I could see the two riders that had drifted off earlier. We were all together in Bridgnorth. Crossing the bridge in Low Town was inevitably busy but we were soon out of it and off climbing up past Aldi onto the Old Worcester Rd which dropped us onto the A442 for a short section. When we turned left here the winding road begins to kick up and hides the nasty climb around the corner. Straight up, it’s a leg breaker if you’re struggling but I felt pretty good at this point.
Over the top, there were 3 of us left in the group now, me James and Jam. Dudmaston Woods was as good as ever. I love that section with it’s nice wide trail. The next trail came quickly but was blighted by some fly tipping. I expected the stream crossing to be almost dry but it was still 6 inches deep at its deepest.
From here it was back onto the A442 for a few metres then the penultimate byway which is actually quite technical in places and demands careful route choice around the holes and rocks. I drifted ahead here, my legs were feeling good but my rear tyre bottomed out a couple of times which was a cause for concern. I bounced it and it seemed ok for now.
The final byway is horrible for about 100m with big slabs of debris and off-camber banks to pick your way through. Another technical one but I managed it then a long bumpy descent which confirmed I had a slow puncture on the back.
We regrouped for the run in. We crossed the A442 again, climbed into Alveley then the final descent back to the start. My rear tyre was a bit squirmy on the bends but I’m glad I got back on it.
Another great ride and I was really pleased with the new sections.
Adios
Sounds like a great day, not on tubeless yet I guess?