Page 46 - 2022-08-01 RiDE

THE RIDE

like a fusion of quintessential English countryside and
Tolkien’s Middle Earth. I’m sure there are hobbits hiding
in them there hills…
At Coldwall Green, we take a left to Upper Wyche,
Lower Wyche and Link Top — Lower Wyche presenting a
stunning view across the lowlands to Poolbrook off to
the east. A blast down the B4211 takes us from Link Top
to Upton upon Severn, then we pick up the A4104 and
make east for the Malverns once again. Welland marks
the boundary of the hills, but it's not until we round the
right-hander past Marl Bank and face the incline up onto ‘The road
the escarpment — and gaze in wonder at the Little
Malvern Priory halfway up — that we feel back within
this special part of Worcestershire. climbs higher
A sharp left on to the A449 and we continue climbing,
passing the British Camp Hill Fort at the summit, then in a series of
racing down towards Ledbury on lower ground.
Unfortunately, the heavens open again, this time
biblically, so our run down to Much Markle is more like a sublime twists’
swim than a ride…
Luckily, we outrun the clouds again and the west side
of Much Markle is dry, which is fortuitous because one of
the route’s best sections is still to come. The final treat
begins to unfold at Perrystone Hill, the road hugging the
edge of the ridge and climbing ever higher in a series of
sublime twists and turns, each one building anticipation
for the next — it’s five miles of pure bliss.
And then, just like that, the A449 spits us back out onto
the A40 at Ross-on-Wye. We’ve come full circle on a
gem of a ride that I’ll definitely be back to do again.

P Gently rolling through centuries of history in Upton

Three great places to visit

BEST FOR TRANQUIL REST BEST FOR MOTORSPORT BEST FOR MEDIEVAL GLORY

Little Malvern Court and Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb Hereford Cathedral
Gardens Shelsley Walsh has been hosting speed trials Construction of this Grade-1 listed monolith
Nestled just beyond Welland on the east side since 1905, making it the oldest motorsport began in 1079, although the site has been a
of the Malvern Hills escarpment, this 15th venue still running on its original course. The place of worship since the ninth century.
Century priory and grounds is the perfect 1000-yard track hosts events throughout the Hereford Cathedral is also the home of the A ROOM WITH VIEWS / Alamy Stock Photo
place to catch your breath and unwind. summer (check the website). Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world.
Price of entry £9 (gardens), £12 (house tour) Price of entry £10 (advance), £12 (gate) Price of entry Free, donations welcome
littlemalverncourt.co.uk shelsleywalsh.com herefordcathedral.org

46 SEPTEMBER 2022