#365daysofbiking Colour me surprised:
November 10th – A late afternoon round trip to Aldridge and back to Pelsall was started along the canal, and in the dying afternoon light autumn had caught the trees of Walsall Wood on fire.
The autumn colour has been unusually and surprisingly vivid this year. This was absolutely beautiful.
#365daysofbiking Darker now:
November 6th – Today was another day distant, so I felt proportionately better. Still in Redditch, the morning was dull but I headed down through Arrow Valley Park and was rewarded with the most beautiful autumn display; the colours were gorgeous and I was reminded that even when we’re desperately sad, nature is still doing stuff just to try and grab out attention and make us happy.
#365daysofbiking The world spins, me a apart of it:
November 1st – My worry was misplaced. I had good news from the hospital, and rode gently back, taking in the air which with my inbuilt mood filter switched off, was now sunny and cheering.
What better time to enjoy the parks of Darlaston, Victoria and Kings Hill? What better time to sit and appreciate the leaves, the dog walkers, the birds and my beloved Black Country?
It made a change to have lightness in my heart. That’s been a rare thing of late.
#365daysofbiking Parked:
October 30th – My peaceful retreat Kings Hill Park is looking gorgeous in it’s autumn palette right now and I’m really enjoying it.
Sadly, the flowers haven’t been so good this year, and I fear cost cutting at Walsall Council may have been to blame, but none of that detracts from the essential beauty of this peaceful, beautiful urban oasis, where I often stop, separate myself from the workaday stress and have a brew and a think.
This place will always be mine, whatever the season.
#365daysofbiking Catching the leaves:
October 26th – Heading to Hortonwood from Telford Station on the cycleway, I crossed the motorway bridge to Priorslee and my attention was caught by the sunlight catching the turning leaves.
Motorways are not beautiful but they do have a particular charm, especially in autumn when their embankments, generally undisturbed havens for wildlife, become especially beautiful.
#365daysofbiking Falling in love:
October 24th – It’s hard not to love the Black Country right now. The canals are beautiful, the leaves are turning and there’s a slightly soft quality to the light which is truly gorgeous.
I’m hating the dark nights and mornings as usual, but when you catch the daylight it really is rather lovely.
#365daysofbiking Rebooting:
October 21st – The only way to rectify a downer like I was on was to hit Cannock Chase. I set out on a sunny afternoon but the weather quickly turned grey and drizzly – but it really didn’t; matter a bit. Heading from Rainbow Hioll, over Birches Valley, Penkridge Bank, Pepper Slade, to the Katyn Memorial, then Freda’s Grave, I returned down Sherbrook Valley and back through Hednesford.
It wasn’t the most photogenic day, but it picked me up and I found plenty of interesting fungi and drank in the autumn.
Just what I needed.
#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!
#365daysofbiking I dream in colour:
October 9th – In Telford for the morning, I had business up on Stafford Park and the hedgerows and trees along the cycleway were absolutely gorgeous.
The blue sky merged with the reds, golds, yellows and the still green and made a beautiful multicolour palette as I cycled past on a lovely warm, sunny autumn morning,
Autumn’s pretty fine once you stop struggling and accept it.
#365daysofbiking The united colours of autumn:
October 3rd – After the rain of the night before, the morning commute was warm, dry and almost humid. I made the very best of it by riding the canal the long way, and wasn’t disappointed – the autumn colours are very beautiful this year, and the canals and wooded areas of Darlaston are absolutely gorgeous.
There are some upsides to the time of year after all.
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 