Tag: Coseley

#365daysofbiking What lies beneath

July 7th – It was indeed a better day. The sun was out, the wind had subsided as had the discomfort in my stomach.

I headed out on the canal to Wolverhampton, taking a slow but enjoyable potter down the mainline canal to Birmingham. From there to Aston, where I left the canal and got on a train back to Shenstone.

I noted the Dudley Tourist Board had been working hard to improve it’s customer service at Coseley Tunnel, where I doubt I’ll ever negotiate the southern portal steps with a bike again, although it was certainly an adventure.

Calling at the heavily secured, ghostly Rattlechain Pool, the lagoon concealing many thousands of tonnes of the worst toxic waste was a strange experience: It looks so serene and peaceful, yet the pool – itself just a cap to the material beneath, separated by a thick impermeable skin – is securely fenced and covered by many cameras.

It’s a ghostly and controversial place.

Under the M5 viaduct and Telford’s magnificent Engine Arm aqueduct, the canal is a peaceful, gentle and serene refuge from the mad urbanity above, and the street art is, as ever, fascinating.

Passing on the canal down the Snow Hill flight, I see the view is a matter of opinion. But why? What’s that all about?

A great restorative ride.

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#365daysofbiking More to it than that

February 18th – Returning from a work trip to Stafford, I got off the train mid day at Coseley, to ride back to work. On the station platform there, there was a poster advertising cheap returns to … Coventry.

These three pictograms are apparently what the City of Coventry has to offer.

Well, the cathedral’s in a bit of a state, can’t find the penny farthing hire and as for nude women riding horses…

Can a city sue? Asking for a friend.

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February 23rd – Doris wasn’t messing about…

Storm Doris hit the UK, and I considered my commute carefully before I left for work. Cycling in very strong winds is hard enough with them behind you, let alone against you, but also of concern are very strong cross winds which can have you into the centre of a road, or in a ditch.

I decided not to cycle to Darlaston which would have been almost 100% into the headwind, and instead went to Shenstone, where I caught the train to Birmingham, then another to Coseley, whence I rode with the wind at my back to work.

Yes, I guess it’s cheating, but I felt safer, and also make it to Shenstone in 14 minutes, at a frightening average, topping 40mph plus down Shire Oak Hill. That was fun.

On my arrival at Coseley, I noticed how well looked after the flowerbed was, and realised how much the little garden there reminded me of South Wigston, where I used to spend so much time.

The primroses were gorgeous, and really brightened a… memorable commute.

March 20th – Almost a lost afternoon. I slunk out of work to get another ride in around the canals to Wolverhampton, but suffered a mechanical failure. After a failed bodge fix, I grabbed another bike and escaped late, in bad humour.

A run through Bloxwich and on to the canal at Sneyd opened up to a great ride – up to Wolverhampton, back down the mainline through the Coseley Tunnel to West Brom, then back through Great Bridge, Toll End, Moxley and Darlaston. 

It was surprisingly grey, but not a bad evening at all.

The ride was fast, enjoyable and fixed my bad mood a treat.