I’m Guy Kesteven, writer of the official Cycling UK guidebook for the new Marcher Castles Way long distance gravel/MTB cycle route. In part one of three taster videos we ride from medieval Shrewsbury, past Roman Wroxeter and the brooding Wrekin to the birthplace of the industrial revolution at Ironbridge. Then it’s on through Much Wenlock and along the stunning timeless countryside of Wenlock Edge and the Clee Hills to the gorgeous, gourmet castle town of Ludlow.
I created and narrated these films while riding the route checking recce but the finalised GPX can be found here: https://www.cyclinguk.org/routes/long-distance/marcher-castles-way
Please consider joining Cycling UK to support the development of more routes like this as well as the fight for greater cyclists rights. Members also get insurance, legal cover, excellent special offers and a monthly magazine.
21 Comments
I LOVE these videos Guy. 👏 Can’t stop and chat and I’m straight into number 2. 😉👍
Shame I missed you Guy, I live in Shrews and have ridden the start of that route often. BTW, did you stop in at Invisframe (they're in the industrial estate next to the end of the bridleway just before your edit at 4min 30secs)?
Never in my wildest dreams would I think I csn find a combination of my 2 loves: cycling and history.. and there you are! Wow! The best travel show imaginable. Thanks.
Brilliant commentary as usual & learnt some history too, so thanks for doing this guy. I’ve done parts of that route as am local, looking forward to linking it all together soon tho. 👍🏼
Brilliant as usual, already subscribed to you, now subscribed to Cycling UK
Great video and great route. Stayed at Wilderhope thirty-odd years ago when we did LEJOG – stunning place.
Great route. I live in Montgomeryshire, so could do in three day trips. Is there alternatives for those who ride audax road bikes rather than gravel? I do ride on towpaths, etc, but some bits look a bit rough for my Mercian on 28mm tyres.
Didn't know Romans used cavalry, much less Thrakian one.
Interesting video. The 'drover's road' along the base of Wenlock Edge is actually an old railway track as you'd have found if you'd continued through the station at Longville-in-the-Dale (it's a private house now).
Visited Shropshire this summer myself with the Mrs as a last minute break. I didn't really have many expectations though I knew it was popular for MTB. What a stunning place and that's before you get to the cycling options. The MTB options are fantastic. It really made me realise how ruined by traffic the Peak District is 😢….we really shouldn't be telling people how amazing Shropshire is…. honestly, it's rubbish everyone, don't go!
What an amazing video.
The narration is how it should be, better than it should be. Even with me not understanding everything you said, I got a great deal of information, pleasure and delight from this video.
Best of wishes and thanks from the US.
Frank
Loving this. I'm from the area. I think you capture its essence perfectly.
Nice one, very interesting route. Cheers Joe.
I spent 2 weeks in Shropshire hiking and a bit of mountain biking. What a lovely county. Thanks for sorting a route out to see some of the best bits, I'll be coming back.
Guy, really enjoyed this, keep this type of video style coming.
Please stop telling people how lovely Shropshire is. We like to keep it quiet and to ourselves…
What a great route and I'm definitely buying your book. It'll go with the KAW guide I bought and did this year! Excellent.
Superb video
Great video. Looks like a great route. I have walked or cycled many parts of the route and love the Shropshire countryside. I live in Shropshire and love the fact that most pass it by. I hope to do this route, on our mountain bikes, next year with my 14 year old son, or sooner if the weather is kind to us at the end of October.
"Massively under-appreciated & unvisited." Except by those of us whose stomping ground it is.
Thoroughly enjoyed your film, thank you, but let us hope it stays that way.
FANTASTIC VIDEO.