Tag: Needwood Valley

#365daysofbiking The united colours of autumn

Friday, October 9th 2020 – Some rides start out pretty badly, but you plough on and realise how wise you were to do so: This was just such an instance.

I wanted to be out. I’d set my heart on it, but mechanical problems delayed me, and not more than a couple of miles from home, it rained heavily. It was cold and I was feeling grim.

But I persevered and the sun came out upon a sodden south Staffordshire and I headed to Hoar Cross over Armitage and Rowley.

I returned via Woodmill, Morrey, and up the A515.

Amethyst deceivers were found near Chasewater, their vivid purple colouring marking them as one of the UK’s most beautiful toadstools; there was a cracker of a rainbow over the Needwood Valley as I rested on the bench at Hoar Cross. And the day wrapped up with a gorgeous autumnal sunset.

I went out feeling distinctly blue, but nature showed me the whole spectrum and I returned much happier.

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#365daysofbiking These lanes are mine

May 10th – It’s been a long time since I was out this way, and it was wonderful to be back. From the old bridge at Handsacre to the rugged charm of the church at Hoar Cross, the afternoon and evening were thoroughly gorgeous.

It was lovely to see the wildflowers in that churchyard, with the bugle putting on a particularly fine showing this season. But the view over the valley and the residents keeping careful watch on me were all part of a fantastic, rejuvenating ride.

Most summers, these lanes are usually mine, yet somehow in the chaos, illness and fatigue of recent months, I’ve let them slip from my grasp.

It’s time to rectify that.

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June 17th – From Amerton, I went for a long afternoon and evening ride around old haunts; Drointon, Blithfield, Newborough, Hoar Cross, Woodmill. A lovely ride, gorgeous golden hour on one of the warmest, most beautiful days of the year.

Newborough’s elegant, Francophile church is one of the finest in the UK, and certainly gives Staffordshire’s other gem, Clifton Campville a run for it’s money.

So sad to see the Meynell Ingram pub at Hoar Cross is still closed. That could be such a good pub in the right hands.

March 25th – A great Good Friday ride. I slipped out at lunchtime and headed through Caldwell to Longdon, then through Rugeley, Stockwell Heath and Blithfield to a cake stop near Abbots Bromley; then over to Hoar Cross, back through the Needwood Valley and Lichfield. 

It wasn’t a very warm day, and in truth, was very breezy, but the blooming spring flowers, awakening wildlife and sun-bathed scenery made this an excellent ride.

I need more of this in my life.

April 9th – Now really back in the swing of it. A run to Hoar Cross via Rowley, then over Jackson’s Bank to Scotch Hills, Dunstall to Barton, then on the canal at Efflinch to Fradley Junction and back through Lichfield. 

A classic ride I used to do loads, but got out of the habit of. 

Nice to see the wind turbine at Rowley, and the Trent and Needwood Valley were as gorgeous as ever. Odd that I’ve never noticed the broken wind pump at Handsacre before.

The golden hour at Dunstall and Alrewas was extraordinary. A fine ride.