Shropshire Roller-coaster

Starting at Ashwood Nurseries this ride carries a warning that it is hilly but also promises some spectacular scenery. It will be mostly along lanes but there will be sections either side of Bridgnorth where we shall have to use main roads for a short distance. We shall take the lanes from the Nursery to Gilberts Cross, near Enville and then on to Alverley where there is a sharp climb to the top of the village. Then we shall drop down to the Severn Valley Country Park and ride carefully (looking out for pedestrians) along the pathway to the footbridge over the River Severn. For a short period we shall have to walk with our bikes up a steep, uneven path with a barrier at the top to cross the railway line. We shall join a road on the other side for a long, steep climb up to Highley. Turning right in Highley we shall ride through Woodhill and Chelmarsh, which is undulating. Then just before a right-hand sweep downhill, we shall take a lane on the left to Astbury. This is an undulating and very picturesque lane with a short sharp hill with a sting in its tail just before we join a main road into Bridgnorth. We shall cross the River Severn again in Bridgnorth and head out of the town on the Stourbridge Road, which will be busy and has a long climb out of the town. We shall then turn left towards Claverley but turning off go to Heathton and Halfpenny Green. From there we shall pass the airfield and then one more big climb up Camp Hill before dropping down to the Navigation Inn and back to Ashwood Nurseries. GMap route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6901407