Descent of the Stiperstones

[Jethro]

Looks to be a cracking new event from Nantwich originally planned for 8th August 2020 which I would have liked to have done.  Just wondering if it can still be re-scheduled for later in the year.

The route looks good with just a few climbs in the middle and with a fast run out to Crew Green and back after Minsterley.  Also  a very good write up in the current edition of Arrivee.

I suppose I could still do it as a DIY if the calendar event is scrapped but would really like to do the calendar event if it is on.

[Julian Smith]

As well as being a fine route it also a fine song by Half Man Half Biscuit!

[Tull924]

Looks to be a cracking new event from Nantwich......

@Jethro I think it is an absolutely fantastic route, it passes some really superb countryside, I think it has all the ingredients of a classic. It is exactly as you described, easy Cheshire and Shropshire lanes get you away quickly from Cheshire. At Crewgreen it is time to slow down as the route heads uphill giving you time to enjoy the vistas especially as you stay for several miles on the high ground on Long Mountain. Loads of opportunities to refuel in Newtown and then a delightful section which again forces you to ride at a slower pace to enjoy the stunning landscape south of The Stiperstones. A fantastic descent off the top gets you down to the final control at Ford, and then it is just a question of getting back to Nantwich via the Shropshire and Cheshire plain with no really further obstacles to tackle.

I am not sure if it will run in six weeks or not, obviously dependant on AUK's direction as well as regulations both in England and Wales. It's not currently set up as a perm but anyone who wants to ride it is welcome to follow the route and enter it as a DIY. If it doesn't run this year then I will definitely run it next year

[Tull924]

As well as being a fine route it also a fine song by Half Man Half Biscuit!

Rumbled, guilty as charged. I have been a lifelong HMHB fan and I am currently trying to emulate these guys (https://halfmanhalfbikekit.com/) who set out to ride every UK location mentioned in HMHB lyrics (I've currently completed about 40 out of about 250 places) whilst I also attempt to complete the British Cycle Quest (https://www.cyclinguk.org/british-cycle-quest I'm currently at 73 out of the 402 locations).

The origin of this ride was indeed from The HMHB "Descent for the Stiperstones" song which I rode as a DIY with a couple of friends a couple of years ago, we all agreed it was a superb ride and was too good not to share.

The song mentions: The Stiperstones, Snailbeach, Montgomery, Bunner the Chandler, Cofiwch Dryweryn (Y Wal Cofiwch Dryweryn is a famous graffitied stone wall in Llanrhystud) and Oswestry. The 200km version misses the last two out but they are all visited on the 400km version (https://www.strava.com/activities/2481849923). There are several issues with the 400km which means I have no real intention of running it, I would however like to run an absolutely great 300km version next year (https://www.strava.com/activities/2450387699)

[Jethro]

Both the 300 and 400 routes look good too.  Dont know how busy some of those main roads are though.

[Tull924]

To be honest, Welsh "A" roads are generally great for getting about as they are much, much less busy compared with their English equivalent (and generally in a better state of repair). There was a busy section on the 300km, setting out from Newtown on the A4811 until Caersws, about 5 miles with a bit of traffic on it