STINGER Review 2008

The Stinger route can be described as a route of 3 sections.

Section 1

Up to the first feed is pretty flat and picturesque through a mixture of lanes and B-roads. Nothing technical, no climbs of note after the drag out of Stourport over Hartlebury Common until the short hill up to the first feed station at Holt Heath from the river Severn, which is just enough to get the less fit out of breath! En route the course describes a clockwise arc through the heart of Worcestershire as it circumnavigates Droitwich Spa, passing the hamlets of Elmbridge, Himbleton, Crowle, Tibberton, Oddingley, and Ladywood; wonderful cycling country which allows riders to chat together and harbour their energy for the rigours to come in the latter stages.

Section 2

The route begins to get interesting. The full Stinger heads south, still on flat roads until riders will get a nasty shock at 68km when they hit the foot of Ankerdine Hill. A famous climb known locally as the 'Wall of Worcestershire', it features in a number of local races and last year saw the Tour of Britain ascend it. At 17% average its steep but relatively short too. The Tour of Britain riders ascended it in around 3 minutes, local racers usually climb it in nearer 4 mins, how long will you take?
Riders are rewarded with a fast descent to Martley village but the roads get harder from now on, following the Teme Valley, and past the Shelsleys they're pretty heavy going as you make your way towards Tenbury Wells. Winding through some beautiful North Worcestershire countryside, if you get chance, take in the scenery, its great. Just after Tenbury Riders begin climbing Clee Hill with the feed station half way up and its advised you take on a boat load of food here as it gets tough from here. After the highest point at 379m there's a long descent off Clee Hill, turning into the lanes at Doddington and on downwards to Oreton and back east towards Wyre Forest itself. A further descent through the woods to Furnace Mill, then up a 10% drag to Far Forest.
Those on the mini Stinger continue west after the first feed towards the low hills which culminate at Abberley with riders climbing up from Gt Witley then turning north towards Clows Top, their high point at 231m. Within a few km they take the last steep drop down to rejoin the full Stinger riders at the start of the Stinger section, as follows.

Section 3

The real work begins. Riders' technical skills will be called upon too. Straight over the A4117 a sharp descent brings you to the Stinger Section of the course which, deliberately put at the end of the ride, if you don't have anything left in the tank, prepare to be stung to death! The Stinger section is quite brutal given how far it is into the ride. There are 12 numbered climbs in descending order, the first is Beach Hay at 20% comes with 40km still to cover, then 6 more in only 10km before the last feed station at Heightington. The remaining 5 climbs include The Hill, 25% at Abberley, and the notorious Noahs Ark, also 25%, which is followed a very steep and dangerous descent to Liveridge ford before the final climb of Horsehill, 17% with the end of the Stinger section leaving just 9km back to the HQ.

Below is a selection photos of some of the Stinger climbs.

Beach Hay @ 20%	It carries on round the corner!	The Big Dipper @ Buckridge
Deceptively Steep (Pound Bank)	It won't be Bliss when you get here	17% upto Rock
Some rough stuff on The Greenway	Up again (The Greenway)	Noahs Ark @ 25%
Down Liveridge is a real test of nerve	Then 17% straight up