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I discovered riding at the Long Mynd this year. Only an hour from my parents in Cannock and I much prefer natural tech to forestry trail centre. I've been down Minton Batch a couple of times and this week decided to look at doing a longer route round encompassing two descents as well as trying to find the most forgiving way up...Cue the MBR circular route.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/mountain-bike-routes/midlands/long-mynd-shropshire-gps-route-download-324376
Happy starting at Blazing Bikes as I like giving local business some cash plus they have toilets/changing facilities. Climb out and up to the glider club along the forest fire roads was quite long and arduous but that's due to my fitness, and I stayed on the bike unlike the push up Burway in the summer. Noticed a few trails coming down into the fireroad but didn't get distracted, are they worth a look?
Across the top and down the rocky descent of Motts Road to Carding Mill Valley, good fun, the sort of riding I enjoy, only good for a quiet day though and I imagine it is not feasible in the Summer with walkers. Is there a better descent over on this side?
Climbed up through the golf club, needed a small amount of pushing mainly because I was flagging but not the worst climb. This then brought me down into Batch valley, an awful descent at this time of year, off camber wet grass running like ice, absolutely terrifying. I see if I'd climbed the golf course a little more I could have possibly joined 'Woppys Flying Ridge Descent' (red graded) is this worth a look next time? Otherwise I could just skip the descent into Batch Valley and just climb out of the golf club straight up to the top and along to Minton Batch and back to the car?
I'm looking to improve my stamina and endurance this year and it seems like a good circular to add to my list. Any advice and improvements on where to make changes would be much appreciated. Gnarlier the better.
Noticed a few trails coming down into the fireroad but didn’t get distracted, are they worth a look?
Yep.
I normally park at Carding mill and climb up there to be honest but from anywhere works.
It's a tough climb. Don't think I've cleaned it yet, on my neeb or even my eeb.
Yeah the woods below the gliding club have some little bits and bobs worth a look.
I normally go past carding mill on the way back and over the golf course with a descent that hugs the hill and spits you back out in carding car park.
I just love the incredible views over the golf course. If I played golf, man I'd play it there.
I'm certainly no expert on the area, only ridden there a handful of times but in the general direction of the golf course I found quite a few little hidden valleys and interesting climbs and descents. It's the landscape though, just amazing.
In the height of summer, it felt a bit junglist (massive).
You could of course ride over to Eastridge where there is some gnartech.
I think that's part of the route I cycled back up. Tbh I was fairly happy with the two main descents. Just wondering if there are better options around the golf course end.
Jinlye decent!😃
I think my lad still the KOM up that🤣🤣