Some roads are just roads.

Then there are roads where you find yourself grinning inside your helmet for no particular reason.

The ride up onto and across the Long Mynd from Church Stretton is definitely one of the latter.

I started the ride in Church Stretton, heading towards the Long Mynd and the famous climb up The Burway. It doesn’t take long before the town disappears behind you and you’re climbing into open countryside. The Burway is an ancient route that climbs from the town onto the plateau of the Long Mynd. At 492 metres above sea level, it’s also Shropshire’s highest public road.

The road gets twisty, the views start opening up and you know you’re onto something good. This isn’t a road for rushing. It’s narrow in places, there are plenty of bends and you really need to keep your eyes open for other vehicles, cyclists and walkers. But that’s part of the fun. Take your time and enjoy it.

And then you reach the top.

Wow.

The views from the Long Mynd

Once you’re up on the high ground, everything opens out.

You can look back towards Church Stretton, with the town sitting down in the valley, or turn your attention to the miles of Shropshire countryside stretching away in front of you.

It’s one of those places where you really should switch the bike off for a few minutes.

Helmet off.

Gloves off.

Just stand there and take it in.

On a clear day, the views are superb. And after spending the climb concentrating on the road, it’s good to remember why you came up here in the first place.

You may also be joined buy the wildlife, sheep a plenty but also horses roaming free across the plateau.

The split at the summit

One of the things I like about riding the Long Mynd is that when you reach the summit area, the ride doesn’t have to end.

Around Boiling Well (the highest point), you’ve got a choice.

Head towards Ratlinghope and continue across the western side of the Long Mynd, or take the road towards Asterton and explore more of the Shropshire countryside. Whichever way you choose, the roads down from the summit are steep and need to be ridden with care. The views are fantastic, but don’t let them distract you too much – the roads are narrow, with patches of loose gravel and some steep, sheer drops.

The great thing is that you can make this as short or as long a ride as you like. The Long Mynd is located right in the heat of the UK so you can loop it into a routes into Wales, Shropshire, the Breacon Beacons and beyond.

Don’t forget to look up

There’s plenty to watch on the road, but don’t forget to look up occasionally.

The Long Mynd is well known for its flying activities, and on a breezy day you might spot kite surfers making the most of the conditions up on the high ground.

It’s quite a sight, my last visit aw about 50 arial adventurers enjoying the skies and also the launching of a few gliders for good measure.

You’re standing next to a motorcycle in the middle of Shropshire, looking across the hills, and there’s someone flying across the sky. It’s not something you see every day.

It certainly adds a bit of additional dynamics to the stop.

Back down to Church Stretton

When you reach the top, you could always turn around and ride back down the Burway, as it feels different from the climb up. The bends are still there, but now you’ve got those views opening up in front of you, with Church Stretton gradually appearing below.

Take it steady. There’s no prize for getting back to town five minutes earlier.

For me, that’s what makes the Long Mynd such a good motorcycle ride. It’s not just about finding a road with some bends and twisting the throttle.

It’s the whole experience.

As you head back into Church Stretton there is a great little café called the Holybush Café, it has parking right outside too. Ideally for breakfast on the way up or lunch on the way down.

Final thoughts

Put simply, this is a cracking little bit of Shropshire and a ride that gives you a lot for relatively few miles.

Starting in Church Stretton, you quickly leave the town behind as the road climbs onto the Long Mynd. Before long, you’re up on the open moorland, with the views getting bigger with every bend. Then you reach the summit and have that decision to make – which way are you going to head?

Whether you take the road towards Ratlinghope, head towards Asterton, or eventually make your way back down towards Church Stretton. There’s plenty to see along the way.

Take some time to stop and enjoy the views. Keep an eye on the sky for the kite surfers when the conditions are right, and don’t forget to look around you. The Long Mynd is home to plenty of wildlife, and it’s not unusual to spot sheep, ponies, birds of prey and other local residents going about their business. Just remember that you’re a visitor in their patch.

The roads down from the summit need respect too. They’re steep and narrow in places, with loose gravel, uneven surfaces and some seriously big drops. It’s easy to get distracted by the views, but this is definitely one of those rides where it’s worth keeping your attention on the road and saving the sightseeing for a safe stopping place.

For me, that’s what makes the Long Mynd such a great motorcycle ride. You get the that feeling of being right out in the countryside, all within a short ride of Church Stretton.

So, if you’ve got a motorcycle and haven’t ridden the Long Mynd yet, put it on the list.

You won’t regret it.