Windmill Cycle Club Special Event

Shropshire

BIG Weekender 2024

Event Status:

COMPLETED

NOW COMPLETED

Organiser(s):

Mike H

Start Date:

Friday

July 5, 2024

Ride Start:

See Day 01 Ride Details

Start Time:

12:00

Back in 2022 WCC professional route planners, Andy 'more is always more' Ross & Jimmy ’send it' Knight stitched together three days of amazing trails, two in Shropshire itself and one riding the Malvern Hills on the way up, on Day One.

I rode day one, then fell foul of some skateboard tomfoolery which resulted in me not riding on days 2 or 3, so those are all new to me!

We'll head up early on Friday 5th July, stopping to ride the Malvern Hills on the way to our eventual destination for the weekend, where the next two days of riding will start and finish.

Accommodation is now Fully Booked, but you'd be more than welcome to join us for any of the days, or camp nearby if you can.

All rides have route options for long and medium - take a look at the details below.

Food wise: Bring your own BBQ & food for Friday evening. Saturday night we'll eat at the on-site pub (already booked).

Be sure to watch the Route overview videos to get a real sense of the types of terrain we'll be riding each day.

See you in Shropshire in July 2024!

Event Details:

Day One

Friday 05 July

Leave Hitchin early to arrive at the Malvern Hills for a 12:00 ride start.

At only 13.8 miles, this one's a nice short introduction to the weekend, but don't be fooled by the mileage - it's going to be very hilly!

Visit the Event Website here

Route Overview Video

Google Map Link to Ride Start:

Plotaroute Long Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570589

Plotaroute Medium Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570612

Event Details:

Day Two

Saturday 06 July

Saturday morning sees us setting off on the BIG one for the weekend.

36.3 miles with 1660m of climbing will certainly be a test, but we've got all day and hopefully the weather will be on side and the trails will be dry... Keep those fingers crossed!

At about 13 miles in there'll be an option to either wait while riders complete a trail centre loop of about 8 miles, or split into two groups, the none trail-centre riders completing the loop a little earlier.

That brings the day down to 28 miles with 1,232m of climbing for those not riding the Trail Centre Loop.

Route Overview Video

Google Map Link to Ride Start:

Plotaroute Long Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570598

Plotaroute Medium Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570616

Event Details:

Day Three

Sunday 07 July

Sunday morning sees us packing the cars in preparation for the return trip, but not before we've spent another amazing day in Shropshire.

Just under 20 miles with 832m of climbing should see us heading back home at about 2pm.

Route Overview Video

Google Map Link to Ride Start:

Plotaroute Long Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570607

Plotaroute Medium Route

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2570618

To register your interest in this event, please join our Facebook Group

Event T&C's (kinda)

Costs

If fees have been taken, the organiser(s) of the event will do everything they can to offer you a full refund if the event has to be cancelled. If you are not able to attend but have reserved and paid for accommodation booked via WCC, the organiser cannot refund your deposit. You are welcome to offer your place to anyone else and ask that they reimburse your fee. The organiser(s) will not be liable for any other costs incurred by you in association with the delay, alteration, postponement, abandonment, curtailment or cancellation of your plans, for whatever reason.

Additional Useful Event Information: Each event is different, so this is a general 'heads-up'.

Preparation

Service your bike, or at a minimum check that it has newish brake pads and the gears are fine. Fingers crossed for sunshine, or at least not pouring rain – this trip will anyway go ahead regardless. Just check the weather forecast before heading off, and adjust your clothes accordingly

Try to get as many cycle miles in as you can, pre-trip.

Bring some warmer clothes, and a spare layer/rain jacket to carry on the ride. Weather can quickly change, and don't underestimate the potential for a cold wind on top of the hills. Given a lot of the riding is fairly remote, make sure you ride with enough water and snacks.

What to bring

Must have spare bits for your bike:

Rear mech hanger (this tends to be unique to your bike, and can easily be damaged by a rock); chain link (hard to fix a broken chain without it); inner tubes; pump; if running tubeless tyre patch/stans fluid/CO2 inflator & cartridges.

Nice to have spare bits:

Extra set of brake pads, spare gear cable; oil lube; cycle energy gels are great for tired legs on long rides. They really can make the difference between finishing a ride or crashing out. Always have some spare with you.

We've built up a great list of essential equipment through trial, error and experience out on the trails. Click here to visit out Essential Equipment page.