THE CALL OF THE WILD Britain By Bike – The Welsh Borders Ep 2/6

BBC Four · BBC · 26 Jul 2010 · by: BBC

Clare Balding heads westwards as she continues her pedal-powered odyssey across Britain, rediscovering the magical world of Fifties cycling by following the tracks of author Harold Briercliffe.

Briercliffe, who wrote landmark guidebooks The Cycling Touring Guides, noted the local tradition of The Bride's Tree during his original visit to Aston-on-Clun, which is the start of Clare's journey through the Welsh borders. This centuries-old custom involves villagers decorating a black poplar tree every 29 May by tying coloured cloths to the branches.

Heading westwards, Clare travels through the rolling countryside immortalised in AE Housman's A Shropshire Lad, towards Clunton where a quick left turn takes her to Cwm House. It was here that author Bruce Chatwin found the inspiration for one of his greatest books, On The Black Hill, when he stayed in 1979.

Next, Clare pedals back to Clun where Briercliffe had commented on the strange 17th-century costume worn by the locals. They were almsmen of Trinity Hospital, a charitable institution set up to provide homes for agricultural workers who lost their tied cottages on retiring after a lifetime working the land. Clare meets the almshouse warden, Reverend Richard Shaw, and discovers they are still operating today.

Back on her bike – or rather Harold Briercliffe's bike – Clare heads towards the Welsh border via Newcastle and Kerry, crossing the magnificent ancient earthwork Offa's Dyke to her final destination, Newtown. This was formerly the location for one of Britain's biggest cycle manufacturers.

Here, Clare meets local cycling ace Barry Hoban, who was one of Britain's most successful Tour de France competitors, and learns of the factory's secret life making Second World War armaments.

Britain By Bike is part of BBC Four's season celebrating outdoors Britain – The Call Of The Wild.