Tag: Red Hill

#365daysofbiking Bimbling

April 22nd – Another tough ride but very enjoyable for Bank Holiday Monday – out for a potter to the floating market at Great Haywood at the back of Shugborough.

It was lovely: I must confess though, I was expecting a bigger, more varied event; although it was lovely it was pretty much the same as Fazeley had been a few years ago. It would me nice to see some different traders.

I took a tough route up through Goosemoor Green and Dollymaker Hill, then over George’s Hayes and Red Hill. On my return I came through Shugborough – which currently have a wonderful herd of longhorns – and back over Cannock Chase.

A great 40 mile bimble but I was still suffering.

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#365daysofbiking Tonic:

November 11th – After the traditional act of Remembrancem I spoon out late afternoon. its been a sad few weeks and I needed a decent restorative and where better than Abraham’s Valley on Cannock Chase at dusk? 

The colours of the heath and forest were gorgeous, and the riding fast and easy. My mood was lifted dramatically.

Returning via Rugeley and the backlands of London after nightfall was also unexpectedly pleasurable.

Despite everything, there’s still very little that’s better than a good ride out when you’re down.

August 28th – A slow 40 mile bimble on a windier, but very hot August Bank Holiday Monday – it’s not many years you can say that about. I rode out wearily, late afternoon for cake and tea at Great Haywood. On the best afternoon for a long time, the Lock Cottage cafe was inexplicably closed, but the Canalside Farm one was open, were I enjoyed good cake and earl grey watching the boats go by.

A run back down the canal and over the Chase was very hard though. I’m certainly not as young as I was and 180 miles in a weekend is a lot these days.

December 20th – I came back up through Longdon and Farewell as I always do. It was a chilly day with a crisp wind but the sun was lovely, and the views over the village of Upper Longdon were gorgeous. Good to see the renovation of the old Windmill coming on now, too.

Nearby at Red Hill, the houses clinging to the hill are still beautiful, but stopping to photograph them I noticed I had an audience – one large, disapproving cat and a pair of prize pigs. 

A great ride. Really enjoyable.

March 23rd – I love the soft rolling countryside of Longdon Edge, a series of undulating ridges radiating from the east of Cannock Chase to the Trent Valley, and eastwards to Lichfield. There are winding lanes, hidden holloways, little traffic and secluded tracks. Soft woodlands, open fields and beautiful hamlets.

There are few better places locally to spend a springtime golden hour.