September 23rd – At Calton, high in the Weaver Hills, I was surprised to find a tree with a huge crop of ripe plums, so ripe that they were falling off the tree and rotting on the ground, food only for birds and a huge army of wasps.
A taste of one of the purple fruit told me why they were untouched – so tart my face nearly turned inside out.
This was no deterrent to the wasps, however, who were too busy to bother the inquisitive human with the camera.
May 23rd – I needn’t have worried. The first century of the year took place on a warm day that was overcast in the morning, but finished in bright, pleasant spring sunshine with little wind – ideal cycling weather.
The Peak District was as it ever was – beautiful, challenging and in the places I like to ride, surprisingly devoid of people.
A great day – more to come tomorrow on my main blog.
August 22nd – Off into the Peak District for the day on a long ride. It’s sometimes said that the best bits of Derbyshire are in Staffordhire, and Ilam is no exception. The border between the two counties runs down the river at Dovedale, and everything to the west is in Staffordshire, including this picturesque little village at the foot of the Manifold Valley. Superb architecturally, the village monument has just been refurbished.
August 10th – I did a century, up to Cromford. Starting early, I cycled up the incline and onto the High Peak Trail, and on to Parsley Hay. Back down the Tissington, tea in the village, then off to Dovedale, climbing up to Throwley and on to Calton in the Weaver Hills. I love the Peak District, and as is often said, some of the best bits of Derbyshire are in Staffordshire; the Weavers are, and so is Ilam. It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day. I had power in my legs, and the sun on my back. It doesn’t get much better than this.
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