Bur Way from Church Stretton

Fairly arduous slopes but never too severe, and a great view into the shapely valley on your right all the way, until the last more boring bit on the rather featureless heights of Long Mynd. Expect traffic on this fairly narrow road.

The Bur Way was my toughest ever challenges. Not the longest by any means and at its worst no more than 16％ for 200m. But somehow it's a real pig. In fairness I was on a MTB which was, by weight alone, not the tool for the job*, but I had to really dig in and, in spite of the fact that it was a winter morning, I had to somehow divest myself on my jacket whilst reaming upright (stopping not allowed!).
But. as always, when you get to the top it seems like fun and the views over the surrounding hills makes the effort worth while.
TIP: This is a very narrow road – in effect room for only one car. Don't even think about riding this on a summer afternoon when the cars queue like a busy Macdonald's drive through. My advice - get up at first light and have the road to yourself.
*Anyone agree with me that 'mountain bike' is a spectacular misnomer? The French Velo Tout Terrrain (VTT) is MUCH better.

Leaving lovely Church Stretton the road rises gently at first, then gradually steepens towards double figures percentages as you negotiate the house lined road. Once you cross the cattle grid beyond the houses the gradients move towards the high teens as the road winds along the hill that it's cut into. If you can briefly turn your concentration away from controlling your breathing and pushing the pedals, it's worth casting regular glances away to your right to see how quickly the people and cars in Carding Mill Valley below you become "small" and distant. After a kilometer or so of bruising steepness, the gradient eases to single figures again, although your legs won't completely recover from their exertions on the steeps. As the road levels you'll be on the open moorland that characterises the hills in this region. It can be pretty windswept on top, so be ready for that. Also be mindful that although the road has a decent enough surface, it's mainly single track so cars have to make use of passing places. Add in to that the fact that this is a challenging driving environment, especially for nervous or novice drivers, you will need to stay mindful of vehicular traffic and try and gauge your pace at times to avoid having to come to a complete standstill behind cars etc.