Breeze Around the AMICA 5 Churches

Starting at 10:30 so that those who wish have time to ride out to Audlem from Crewe / Nantwich if they want to make the day into a longer ride.

A group of 5 picturesque rural churches in north Shropshire operate together under a benefice arrangement sharing a rector and administrative functions. This network is known as ‘AMICA’, this being an acronym comprised of the initials of the villages served: Adderley, Moreton Say, Iightfield, Calverhall and Ash. Clive of India born was born in Styche Hall, which can be viewed across fields from the route. He is buried in St Margaret’s, the parish church of Morton Say.

A tour of these villages provides views of all 5 AMICA churches in a circular route through an idyllic landscape. Near Ash Magna we will have a quick look at the nearby Brown Moss Nature Reserve. This is a site of Special Scientific Interest with over 200 species of native wildflowers, including the rare Floating Water Plantain, possibly the rarest plant in Britain, and a collection of other wetland plants found in few other sites in England. We might be able to garb a coffee at The Chef in the Wood pop up café – if he’s there! This after 12 miles of cycling.

We’ll return via a The Old Jack Inn at Calverhall, for lunch. This is after 16 miles of riding. We will then continue to Moretonwood, Moerton Say, Longford, Longslow and Adderley, whose church is on the busy A529, a short section of which must be cycled before returning to Audlem via the Shropshire Union Canal tow path. This gives ~29 miles of riding.

The cycling is on quiet country lanes with undulating terrain. Whilst there are no big hills, the route is best described as rolling terrain / undulating with a total ascent (and descent) of ~1200’.

Note – Approximately half of the towpath section is on a good hard surface, with the remainder on compacted earth which can be muddy and slippery after a lot of rain. The compacted earth section is probably not suitable for bikes with very skinny road tyres e.g racing bikes. If either the groups bikes or the conditions “under wheel” are not suitable to ride the tow path we will avoid this and Adderley, returning via Wilkesley and Cox Bank. This makes the ride 30 miles.

This is not a beginner’s ride. It is suitable for cyclists who already have experience and know that they can complete this distance over the terrain described. We never leave anyone behind.

Cycle Helmets are compulsory.

Please ensure you have a road worthy bike, along with a spare inner tube of the correct size for your bicycle wheel. Please don’t rely on a puncture repair kit.

*** Any questions you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to get in touch.***