Is it a good ride (from church stretton - 5hrs or so route??)
I have the opportunity to ride it next week but it will involve 3.5hrs driving to get there, is it worth the drive?
You can definitely do a 5 hour ride there and it's brilliant "proper" xc riding! One of my favourite ride locations 🙂
5hrs gives you enough time to go up and down via several routes if you don't mind the climbing.
An alternative could be to start from Cardington which gives you some lovely XC to Church Stetton, up and down the Long Mynd taking in Caradoc Hill on the way back. 4hrs, but does not give you much time to do more than one assent/decent of the Mynd
You'd struggle to do 5 hours just on the Mynd.Head over to the stipperstones swell and you'll be o.k.Worth starting dropping in here http://www.mtb-shropshire.co.uk/ for a chat.
I guess you need local knowledge to identify the best bits. I found Minton Batch very disappointing, because of erosion. On the other hand, I love The Stiperstones, especially the stunning cakes at [url= http://www.bogcentre.co.uk/ ]The Bog[/url]
Before you go, google the local legends, and fascinating industrial archeology. Wonderful place, with or without a bike!
I went up to the Long Mynd for a few days in March - well worth it. I found lots of different ways on and off the tops, it reminded me of the Quantocks in some ways. But I hated Minton Batch as I fell off twice - once really badly! My poor riding.
I loved Minton Batch the first time I rode it. Wasn't so good the 2nd time despite it being much nicer weather-wise! Seemed to have got a lot more eroded but I suppose that makes it more fun in places, especially that bit where you have to go round that thin off camber corner to avoid going in the stream 🙂
I thought it was a brilliant place unfortunately havent had time to get back since I went. Fantastic trails and views.
I'm intending to be riding the Mynd again some time soon. Best part of the day is riding up carding mill valley. Never done the minton batch descent so will have to give that a go.
I still need to confirm if the three horseshoes has shut, they used to do fantastic chip butties.
Does anyone have any GPX files for a route over stipers? Any one been silly enough to go over caer caradoc?
Mart
You can't beat a nice long ride up the long minge. 8)
Long Mynd mtb trail map: http://plushhillcycles.co.uk/trails/35-long-mynd-trails/105-long-mynd-mtb-map.html
Plus loads to do round Lawley and Caradoc or heading east to do Stiperstones and into Eastridge if you are feeling fit, keep an eye on the weather though as windy myndy can be hard work due to lack of trees
How many miles would you expect to cover in 5 hours? Give me an idea, and the sort of riding you like and i'll make some suggestions.
Mynton Batch is great, its geating over used, and slowly smoothing out. If the CRC marathon goes down the in july which i understand it is and its wet, its going to take a beating.
U understand people want to promote the business put we need to be careful and make sure we are taking the good long term view.
Cheers
Paul
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5047686405_df938f3444_o.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/5047686405/ ]Long Mynd[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
Is anywhere worth driving 3.5 hours to get to? (stock STW response that's not come up yet - what's happening to this place?) 🙂
Give me a shout if you want company / route guiding - am down there most weekends re mrs living near there - 5 hrs would see a great mynd / stiperstones /eastridge and back ride - horseshoes pub still closed....
paul
Check in with Plush Hill Cycles for your free trail map & local knowledge
[url= http://www.plushhillcycles.co.uk/home.html ]Click[/url]
If you want some sweet advice about the Long Mynd and other sneaky routes pop in to Blazing Bikes. www.mtb-shropshire.co.uk as featured in Singletrack magazine. Always a coffee waiting and usualy a slice of home made cake!!
devastated to stay, I grew up under the long mynd, then only got PROPERLY into bikes at uni, and havent been back other than in passing.
so many wasted years
There's going to be a race that includes MB? Oh dear.... I can hear the trail crying from the other side of the world.....
I hope CRC and whoever is organizing the race locally is putting plenty of money back into the trail network.
'It was all fields in our day' 😉
The event will be well organised and carried out by John Lloyd racing. And also bring in much needed funds into the area and help to improve trails and biking facilities. Blazing Bikes are active in keeping the trails in shape and look forward to some serious maintanence working along side the National Trust.