CLEE HILL

CLEEHILL, SHROPSHIRE

The solitary Clee Hill sits just outside Ludlow – an isolated peak at the bottom end of the Shropshire Hills topped with a science-fiction-like radar station. Beginning at the T-junction opposite the Angel Bank Garage, the surface on the early slopes is a mess; there are holes within holes and patches upon patches, evidence of years of neglect and sub-standard repairs. It’s fairly steep up to a group of houses where there’s a little respite and then it’s hard again to a cattle grid. The climb then eases and dips slightly to reach the base of the final push to the summit – not too steep, but still a challenge up to a plateau and a right-hand bend. Here you’re greeted with a faded no entry sign. I kept riding through the decaying abandoned buildings, past the second no entry sign until I reached a third sign at the gates of the station compound where I finally got the message and turned back.