Following our successful ride to Eccleshall on the first day of the Stockport Community Cycling Club Keele club weekend, for the second day, the attendees were offered a choice of two cycle rides. I was the back-leader for this longer ride to Market Drayton.

We left Keele University by the back entrance.

We headed out towards Whitmore.

Our first climb of the day took us up Three Mile Lane.

Then, after turning towards Stableford, our next climb took us up Stableford Bank.

We continued our lumpy ride through Standon Mill and Bishops Offley.

After Bishops Offley, we picked up NCN Route 552 near Soudley.

At Cheswardine, we turned towards Market Drayton.

Soon, we were arriving in Market Drayton.

Our lunch stop was at Fordhall Farm.

I had my reservations about stopping here in the planning process since they had demanded numbers and paying upfront. And my reservations about such lunch stops adopting this approach remain. However, this aside, the lunch provided was excellent.

After lunch, we retraced our steps for a short while.

Before rejoining NCN Route 552.

We followed the NCN route to Norton In Hales.

Before turning off and heading towards Knighton.

We joined London Road.

And a little further on we picked up Newcastle Road.

We climbed Bar Hill.

Then made our way towards Madeley.

Finally, we joined Keele Road and made our way back to the start.

By the time we arrived back at Keele University, we had cycled 41 miles. Some of the riders were rather tired at the finish. However, everyone seemed to have enjoyed the cycle ride. It brought to an end another successful Stockport Community Cycling Club weekend away.

You can view our Market Drayton route below: