SHROPSHIRE LAVENDER RIDE

This ride is mainly on quiet country lanes. It's Shropshire but it is gently rolling with no steep pulls up hills, so don't worry! It's suitable for beginners as it is gently paced. From Edgmond Village Hall we cycle out through the village, cross the B5062 and cycle along Chetwynd Road to Chetwynd, past St Michael and All Angels Church with its red sandstone square tower surmounted by a spire (Grade II listed Victorian Gothic style) and then cross the A41; cycle path route 75. We cross the River Meese over a humpback bridge and climb gently up a straight stretch of road through the wooded area of Puleston Common. We ride a short stretch of the Roman Road and then turn south to travel past Chetwynd Airfield and its windsocks and past a family run nursery full of lovely perennial plants, before we turn down a slightly more bumpy lane down towards Pickstock Manor. We pass the few houses that comprise the hamlet of Pickstock before we reach the blue fields of lavender of Pickstock Lavender Farm. This is about the halfway point. We will stop around here for a drink and a snack so make sure that you bring something that will help to keep you going until we get back to the pub in Edgmond. A cereal bar or flapjack would be perfect. We return back through Pickstock and Puleston, to return by the same route over the humpback bridge past the donkeys to cross the A41 and return to Edgmond via Chetwynd Road. Please ensure that your bike is road worthy and that your tyres don't have punctures. As it's summer it is recommended that you wear sunscreen. Things to bring: The weather can be very warm at times so please remember to bring plenty to drink and as suggested above, perhaps a snack in case you can't wait to get back to the pub for refreshments! A helmet (strongly recommended); spare inner tube and a puncture repair kit if you have one; extra sunscreen in case it's a scortcher.