Tag: leaf litter

#365daysofbiking Leaf it out:

October 16th – Time for an important warning to cyclists and motorcyclists alike – watch out for the fallen leaves at the moment. They’re very slippery indeed.

These innocuous piles of autumnal debris gradually get reduced under wheels to a slimy, soapy, wheel-steeling goop which will make you skid and catch you out when you least expect it to. Add to that rainwater, spilled diesel and other slippery stuff and the recipe is for a tumble.

In my experience the councils are pretty good at controlling the problem, but it’s an impossible task.

So watch where you’re riding and be careful out there!            

December 9th – Near the canal at Moxley, Darlaston, I found these fascinating fungi – I’d stopped to undertake a quick mechanical adjustment, and had I not been crouched fiddling with the bike, I’d never have seen the rosy earthstars and what I assume from guides is some kind of pterula multifida living well in the under hedge leaf litter.

It just goes to show what wonders go unseen in our everyday environment.

October 18th – After pointing out yesterday that the cycleways and roads of the area would be hazardous due to wet leaf-litter, as if to confound me, today I noticed that Worcester Council – who look after Arrow Valley Park – had a street sweeper unit out to hoover up the debris. This is wonderful, and very effective. So unusual for a council to bother about cleaning places that aren’t on the public highway. A great thing indeed.