A Grand Day Out 2018

A report and photographs from Malcolm Bridges:

Sunday September 16th was The Grand Day Out run organised by Mick Leach, nine of us set off from Marston's at 0730 heading for The Long Mynd at Church Stretton. The first stage of the ride headed out across Blithfield Reservoir through Rugeley across Cannock Chase, then Penkridge, Codsall and Bridgenorth for a breakfast stop at Tony's Diner Quatford. Now suitably refreshed the second stage headed back toward Bridgenorth and then west to Craven Arms for a fuel stop, this involved a long queue for both the pumps and payment. We now set off for Church Stretton where we pick up Bur Way to pass over the Long Mynd, during the climb the temptation to look over the edge was always there along with the fear of the bike following your eyes. At the top we stopped to take in the view and a few pictures. Now the descent which was equally scary and down to a lower level into Wentnor to the Inn On The Green for a coffee. We now headed north to pick up the A5 following it around Shrewsbury and continue north toward Market Drayton and Loggerheads where we headed East to Eccleshall and our final stop at The Royal Oak for a Joule's ale if required. It was now the home run through Stone and your choice of route from Marchington.

It was a very enjoyable run in great company covering about 180 miles with only 2 unplanned stops, once for a headlight to be refitted and second when a petrol tank became loose. The weather was reasonably kind to us with some dampness over the Mynd, a little rain during the stop at Wentnor during the journey between Shrewsbury and Market Drayton and on leaving Eccleshall but none of it uncomfortable and very mild temperatures.

A big thank you to Mick for organising the run and the interesting route and stops.

Regards Malcolm

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Three photographs below from Brian Slack


Vic blows a raspberry.