Some of Shropshire’s most breathtaking views and fascinating secrets are tucked away off the beaten track, in the kind of places conventional family cars can never hope to reach.

On two wheels, though – well, that’s a different matter.

And one keen Shropshire cyclist has put five of his favourite routes, taking in many such treats, onto a new DVD.

Cycling Around Shropshire: Adventure On Your Doorstep, is presented by Philip Saltmarsh, who says: “Personally, I love to cycle, and being lucky enough to live in Shropshire, I have access to some of the best undiscovered cycling country in Britain.”

The 90-minute film takes in routes which, Philip says, vary from “very easy” to “quite challenging” and show off “just a taste of what Shropshire has to offer”.

The trail starts in Shrewsbury, with a 1.25-mile route from the English Bridge to the Welsh Bridge along one of the most cyclist-friendly parts of the county – 90 per cent car-free.

Next up is a 16-mile ride around the county’s lake district, Ellesmere, which Philip says is suitable for cyclists with a “reasonable level of fitness”. From Ellesmere centre, it takes in Tetchill, Cockshutt, and Welshampton, skirting two of the meres.

Church Stretton and the Long Mynd is the third feature, tracing a route popular with cyclists who relish challenging climbs and dramatic descents. Philip has chosen a path which heads south to Little Stretton, before the gradual climb through Minton to the Longmynd Gliding Club, Pole Bank, High Park, and down to Little Stretton. One for folks who fancy themselves as king of the mountains?

Ludlow is the starting point for cycle route number four, an eight-mile circular tour which shuns some of the more challenging tracks towards the Clee Hills or Mortimer Forest in favour of a round-town trip through Stanton Lacy, over the racecourse, and across the river to Oakley Park and Priors Hatton.

Finally, Philip crosses the winding River Severn three times from Bridgnorth to Bewdley on a 20-mile ride through Hampton Loade, Severn Valley Country Park, and the Wyre Forest – then hitches a well earned lift back into town on the Severn Valley Railway.

It’s a cheerful, nicely designed, user-friendly DVD which offers a fascinating flavour of local history, evocative views of the county’s rich wildlife, and a taste of the scenic countryside, picturesque communities and beautiful waterways which local folk so often take for granted.

By the time Philip is back at base, he’s checked out Shropshire’s own leaning tower, and learned about a parachuting dog, a bear-riding MP, a collapsing church, and the accidental “shelling” of a rural community.

You don’t need any special kind of bike, or Olympic-style kit to tackle his routes – just an average level of fitness, love of exploring the great outdoors, and a dollop of curiosity.

l Cycling Around Shropshire (RRP £14.99) is produced by Autonomous Monkey Pictures, of Bayston Hill. For details, and to watch the trailer, log onto www.automonkey.co.uk.

Features on the DVD include printable route directions, and a beginner’s guide to bikes.