Sunday is the perfect day for hills and cathedrals and cafes. As we’ve done a lot of hills recently I thought a flatter route might be needed… but I saw this route idea and….bingo!

Without further ado you’ll want to know what you’re letting yourself in for. Standard departure from SSC at 9am followed by the time honoured roll out down the Gilgal waving at the assembled throngs wishing us well.

Across the river to the lawless badlands on the far side we ride, through Astley Cross and Astley. This part features a modicum of climbing as we gain altitude towards the summit of Walsgrove Hill. (No, I hadn’t heard of it before either)

We turn south and follow the side of the hill affording us excellent views of the Teme valley as we head towards Martley.

Continuing south on the B4197 we start the climb to the beautifully named Nipple Coppice at the top of everyone’s favourite hill, Ankerdine. Today we’re going down. This time we’re going straight on at the bottom, over the old bridge. *EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN NEGOTIATING THIS JUNCTION AS THERE IS A RESTRICTED VIEW OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.  You maybe travelling quite quickly at this point so be warned.

Once over the the river we start the modest climb to Alfrick and then gently undulating lanes to Bransford and Powick. We use cycle lanes, and a nifty new bridge to take us into the city centre. These paths may be busy with walkers so care is needed here too. There’ll be great views of the cathedral as we cruise past on our way to the planned cafe stop at Be The Change in the Corn Market.  https://www.bethechangefoods.co.uk/

Leg two takes us out of Worcester in a north easterly direction up Tollerdine Road (slightly uphill) to Warndon and Sixways. Using some cycleways we bypass the major roads in this area and pop out on Offerton Lanes which takes us neatly back to Droitwich. It’s a typical run in along Crutch Lane, Elmbridge, Rushock and Hartlebury to bring us home.

I’m expecting considerably more tarmac and less potholes this week. As ever there may be some I can’t see on Google Earth and we have to factor in that some roads may have been recently resurfaced so might require a reroute if they’re too sketchy.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2839254751153054380