Autumnal Shropshire Cycle or Steam Weekend
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Join us for an autumnal weekend near the historic town of Bridgnorth and enjoy an Autumnal walk or road cycle (your choice) in and around and about the River Severn and in the rolling Shropshire countryside. Our walk (subject to train timetabling) will be a linear walk with a pint in the waiting room of one of the stations on the Severn Valley Railway, before catching the steam train back! Choo choo!
The cycle will be tailored according to ability of those attending, but Will is proposing a 70km trip across the Shropshire Hills to Ludlow for lunch and then cycling to Bewdley before catching a steam train to Bridgnorth and bimble back to the hostel. There would be at least one compulsory cake stop and hopefully time for a beverage before returning to the hostel. Possible route here: https://www.komoot.com/tour/77958691?ref=wtd
Once back for the evening, your hosts Will and Liam will be providing a warming dinner to build your strength back up before we settle into our cosy bunkhouse for the evening and chat to our fellow OutdoorLads. Bring your favourite board-games, though Monopoly is banned and so are 1980/1990 versions of Trivial Pursuit.
Our hostel is about 10 minutes south of the pretty town of Bridgnorth - once one of the busiest river ports in Europe. Nowadays, the Severn, clear and unpolluted, is a quiet haven for anglers, walkers and wildlife. The river divides the town into High Town and Low Town, the two being linked by seven sets of ancient donkey steps and a Victorian funicular, the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway. England's oldest and steepest inland electric funicular railway makes the journey at least 150 times a day. Walking in the beautiful Shropshire Hills is right on the doorstep, while the delights of Bridgnorth, the Severn Valley Railway and the industrial museums of the Ironbridge Gorge are only a short drive away, if you might prefer a steadier option.
Bridgnorth is also the start of the Severn Valley Railway, which runs a regular service with classic steam locomotives, and we’ll get to see that in action on our walk for the day, which also features a pub stop!
The bunkhouse is a converted Tudor farmhouse on the Dudmaston Estate. Dudmaston House itself offers wooded parkland and sweeping gardens with amazing vistas.
If you don't need to rush off on Sunday, an activity and a pub lunch are likely to be on offer.
Bedding: No bed linen is provided. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag or duvet / sheet and pillow.
Dogs: Unfortunately dogs are not permitted at Big Mose.
Image credits: Image 1: Big Mose Bunkhouse Photos © National Trust used according to terms; Image 2: LMS Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 no. 46443 at Severn Valley Railway © Derek Barrett used under licence; Image 3: Bridgnorth Castle Hill Railway © Hugh Llewellyn used under licence; Image 4: High Town Bridgnorth Shropshire © Genesener1900 used under licence.
What to bring
Cycling Kit:
Bike: a road bike
Helmet: OutdoorLads requires you to wear one
Clothing: lightweight and layered, colourful and/or reflective clothing will make you more visible to other road users
Footwear: suitable for your bike and pedals
Gloves: cycle gloves help avoid blisters, and are good in the cold
Punctures: spare inner tube, bike tyre pump and tyre levers
Tools: any special tools that your bike needs
Small snacks: such as chocolate or energy bars
Plenty of water: in bottle/s on your bike or in a daysack/bladder
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Eye protection: avoid getting grit or insects in your eyes, sunglasses are OK if they are not made of glass and not too shaded
Sun cream: take care, even on overcast days
Bike lights: be seen and safe
Storage: small day-sack or a bag on your bike
Mobile Phone: keep it in a waterproof bag for use in emergencies
Walking Kit:
It will be late autumn and, as ever, the weather will be highly changeable, so please come prepared. Please ensure you have adequate layers to keep warm and waterproofs to keep you dry if you're walking. Depending on where walks are planned, it may be a little wet and muddy underfoot, so you'll need decent boots and perhaps also gaiters.
Please review the information provided on the My First Walk Event page on the ODL website for more information on walking kit.
Note that this is only a guide and you will need to consider the weather forecast at the time.
Hostel Kit:
No bed linen is provided. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag or duvet / sheet and pillow.
Don't forget to bring a towel as well.
Food & drink
Friday night buffet: Please bring one item for the buffet that can be shared easily. Don't go overboard! Just enough for a few people to share - and please think imaginitively and try to avoid the all-pervasive pizza and quiche! If you are unsure what others are thinking of bringing, then please use the comments section of the event page below.
Saturday breakfast: Included in the event cost, continental style.
Saturday lunch: You will need to bring your own packed lunch, snacks and drinks for the day walk.
Saturday dinner: Included in the event cost. Once I know of any specific dietary requirements, I'll plan something suitable that we can all share.
Sunday breakfast: Included in the event cost. Possibly even a cooked breakfast!
Tea and coffee, included in the event cost, will be available throughout the weekend
Bring along any other drinks you want for the weekend.