RLE to Shrewley, 9 June 2021

The direction I was given for this ride was south east, and although that is the direction of the pub the bulk of the ride is to the south before curling round. In June 2021 pubs were still recovering from the Covid lockdown. The Durham Ox had installed a huge marquee that easily accommodated the 20 or so riders who turned up on the day, albeit I had to send a list of pre-orders beforehand. When it came to paying for the meal people were required to pay a service charge, which didn’t go down well.

The route starts by heading west to Earlswood station and then follows straight on through Foreshaw Heath, across the motorway and then takes a right and left across the B4101 and on to Tanworth in Arden. Danzey Green and Ullenhall lead on to a mile or so along the A4189 to Oldberrow where the route leaves the main road, turning right along pleasant lanes to Shelfield, Little Alne and Aston Cantlow after which a left turn leads to Wilmcote where another left turn heads towards the A3400 (Stratford Road). Carefully turn right onto the main road before taking the next left turn after quarter of a mile towards Snitterfield and Norton Lindsey. By now the route is heading north, crossing the A4189 (to Warwick), taking a left turn just before the M40 motorway towards Pinley Green where it takes a right turn towards Shrewley. The Durham Ox is between the canal and railway bridges.

After lunch the route heads through Shrewley before turning left at a cross roads towards Baddesley Clinton where it joins the A4141 (Warwick Road) for a short stretch before taking a right turn at Chadwick End, north to Temple Balsall. There the route turns east, beginning to head home, joining the Warwick Road again for a mile or so before taking a left turn towards Packwood and then heading into Hockley Heath. Across the A3400 (Stratford Road) there is choice of either heading down School Road to Wedges Bakery for a sticky bun or heading down Cut Throat Lane for Earlswood.