Stage 5: Worcester to Newport (Shropshire)

Onwards to Newport (but which one?)

Distance: 66.22 miles

Climb: 3,576 feet      

 

An early trip into Worcester before heading north into Shropshire visiting historic Bridgnorth and Telford new town.

At around 60 miles, Stage Five is our shortest day distance-wise.

Fun Fact: With 14 of the world's 56 places named Newport in the UK, we had to make sure we picked the right one!

Post-ride Debrief

Our day started with Edward Elgar and finished with Thomas Telford – taking in planes, trains, and ostriches.

Today was a kind of recovery day, if cycling 65 miles is your idea of a rest.

Leaving the support crew, Georgie and Steve, we began to wend our way through wonderful Worcester. Dodging the doughty park runners as we passed the beautiful cathedral, Worcester looked like an advert for itself. 

Our riding today was a combination of country lanes, canal towpaths, old railway tracks, interspersed with urban trails. Note for Rich II, there were some surfaces you would not be happy with.

With the sun high in the sky it was the warmest day of the ride so far. It was also a day full of unexpected delights.

Getting to the Severn Valley Railway just as the loco pulled in for a step back in time. The pause also gave us the chance to help other cyclists as the pedal had fallen off an electric bike. Once the owner had his hand on Paul’s big tool he was very happy (copyright Viz magazine 1993).

We are very accustomed to seeing Llamas on our Hampshire rides but today was our first ostrich sighting, although no sign of Bernie Clifton.

From the flightless to our next treat: a fly past from a military aerobatic display team. Not specifically for us perhaps but we took it. (We later discovered it the Swiss Air Force's Patrouille Suisse.)

Stopping at a great cycle shop in search of a café we were directed to Bridgnorth town centre, and were pleasantly surprised to find history and bustle a plenty.

Moving from rolling countryside to the more urban feel of Telford, we navigated our way through the new town cycle paths. With storm clouds threatening, the pace picked up for the last ten miles as we pushed for home to beat the rain.

A shorter ride than yesterday, but we now find ourselves up in the Black Country after five days' riding.

Onwards to the North tomorrow.

If you are able, please sponsor our ride in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. Click through to our JustGiving page.









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