After many successful years raising money for various charities across the UK the No Excuses Series comes to Shrewsbury, Shropshire for 2018. Setting off from West Midland Showground just to the North of Shrewsbury Town Centre, we steer clear of the hills for this early season sportive and explore the winding country road network to the north and east of Shrewsbury.
Heading out from the showground we take a bearing north following the course of the river Severn then the river Perry to the village of Baschurch before continuing our course north crossing the landscape riddled with small waterways, brooks and pools along the way.
This leg of the course finishes in the small town of Wem at which point the course splits sending the Standard riders through the town and south. Epic riders continue north into the quieter roads of Shropshire. Passing by Dobsons Bridge, we skirt the edge of the Welsh border and the Llangollen Canal that marks it before heading into Whitchurch as our most northerly point on the course. From here we take a direct course south back to Wem to rejoin the rest of the course, at which point we make a course for Shawbury Airfield and town that accompanies it.
Soon after we split for a second time sending the Standard riders homeward bound for Shrewsbury while the Epic riders turn left and south, the signs that you are close to home soon become apparent as we soon meet the course of the River Severn once more, with the Wrekin Hill to our left we turn right back along the river's course as we begin the home stretch to the finish. Meeting the Standard riders once more just outside of town, we ride the last few miles back to the picturesque setting at the finish line.
Everyone who enters either the £40 Epic or Standard routes and turns up on the day will receive a full refund after the event. For those who enter and don't turn up, that money gets donated to charity. If you do ride the event and would rather your entry fee go to a good cause, you'll be able to let us know on the day.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed a "Half an Excuse" entry option as well. This price tier is for those who want to secure a place in this sell-out event, but are unsure if they will make it on the day. This entry fee will not be refunded regardless if you turn up on the day or not but at least it's only half the normal fee, so no shows won't lose out as much. Those who do turn up having entered the Half an Excuse routes get to ride an awesome event for half the price. Terms and conditions can be found below.
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