lea marston – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

August 4th – A weary but lovely ride out in the afternoon was hard going for the first 30 miles, but really picked up as the day cooled.

I’d wanted to visit Mancetter and ride Salt Street/Roe House Lane for most of the summer, and possibly after a hard week at work this wasn’t the best day for it – but the sun was lovely and I headed out through Canwell, Carroway Head, Middleton, Middlon Lakes, Whitacre Heath, Foul End, Mancetter, Sheepey, Twycoss and No Man’s Heath, returning via Clifton, Harlaston and Whittington.

Salt Street was as wonderful as it ever was at sunset, and the clouds of dust drifting across the landscape from harvesting caught the golden light beautifully.

The harvest continued well into the night after dark fell right across South Staffordshire and made for a real, end of Sumer feel although hopefully that’s a long way away yet.

May 7th – I set out late afternoon expecting limited showers – and to be fair, that was all I got. Heading to Middleton for cake and tea, there was an absolute deluge while I was in the coffee shop, but 15 minutes later it had ceased, and in a fairly lengthy tour of north Warwickshire’s border country, including Lea Marston, Hurley, Woodend and Dordon. I returned via Polesworth, Alvecote and Tamworth, and only tangled with the rain through Tamworth.

I watched a thunderstorm over north Birmingham from a safe, bright and dry hillside near Dorado, and appeared to miss all the weather-excitement at home.

So nice to see the old school in Polesworth has been restored and now back in use – although I’m not sure what as.

A great, enjoyable 55 mile ride.