Tag: Rugeley

#365daysofbiking Taking a fence

August 18th – A ride up over the Chase to Milford for a much-needed burger meant a return via the A513 through Satnall Hills between Shugborough and Severn Springs. This fast stretch of road is sadly notable for its high number of deer-vehicle collisions.

I notice an electronic deer deterrent is being tried here. I’ll be honest: I’m sceptical of these things. When I rode past at dusk, the units were just beginning to activate as they only operate from dusk until dawn.

It seems that when they detect vehicles, they emit a weird bird-chirp style noise and flash blue lights. They charge via a small solar cell, and are spaced every 15 metres or so.

The manufacturers IPTE say on their website:

‘The flashing lights of the warning sequence are intended to capture the attention of the animals while the acoustic sound makes the animals feel uncomfortable and stop and leave the roadside area.’

Ignoring the painful tautology of ‘Acoustic sound’ it’s an interesting idea that was tried on the Chasetown bypass but the units were vandalised. I did see a stag in the scrub at the roadside here, but on my appearance he ran back up the hillside.

I guess unless we give it a try we’ll never know if it works. It’ll be interesting to see the results.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/31KSduj
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking The neighbourhood watch

July 14th – So pleased to see the cats out and about at last, as I noted last week. This ride was all about the cats.

As usual there are a whole variety in the feline watchers of life: From the lithe white puss resting in Kingsley Wood Road to the stately black and white overseer of the canal towpath. But the real star was Wilf, the ginger narrowboat cat who was helping his dad fishing.

I love to see cats out and about, it’s a real sign of summer and one I’ve really missed so far this year.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2kbCkN9
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking The thrill of The Chase

July 14th – Working in the morning, I slipped out late afternoon for a fast ride over Cannock Chase and back through Rugeley via the canal and Longdon.

The sun, canal and golden hour were just the tonic after a hectic day, but my energy was low.

I don’t often visit the Chase in summer, as it’s usually crowded and bikes and dogs don’t really mix, but this evening – probably due to sporting excitement on TV – it was very quiet and away from the centres at Marquis Drive and Birches Valley I saw hardly anyone.

I note Rugeley Power Station is looking forlorn now: The desulphurisation plant has been removed and demolition continues with most of the ancillary plant no gone. It won’t be long now before the huge icon and photographic muse will be nothing but a memory.

It was a long, slower haul home but a lovely ride.

This journal is moving home. Find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2kbkKZE
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking It’s about time

March 17th – Finally a day with a more manageable wind, although it was still hard work, and an afternoon mostly without rain, although it caught me on my evening return. But a good ride, none the less.

Rapidly going stir crazy, I was pleased to note a more temperate day – although it was cold the sun shone frequently and the rain was mostly short sharp showers.

I headed up to Cannock Chase for a decent 45 miler, Pye Green and Brocton Field, the dropped into Sherbrooke Valley and on to Milford. From there, up to Tixall, a place I’ve not been in far too long a time. The architecture and atmosphere of this gorgeous place cannot be overstated, yet it’s mostly missed as it exists in the shadow of tourist magnet Shugborough, just down the road.

I continued to Hixon and skirted Blithfield Reservoir via Newton and Admaston, and passed back through Rugeley and Longone as darkness and rain fell.

Spring is really coming on a pace now, with plump spring lambs in the fields and green evident on the hedges, woods and fields; and on Brownhills Common the deer were clearly currently entering the moult and will soon look like threadbare old rugs that nobody cares for, despite being in excellent condition otherwise.

I’d love to know what a solar loo is though…

This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr https://ift.tt/2CnIn7q
via IFTTT

#365daysofbiking Bending the light

January 6th – A fast, long ride over Cannock Chase from Pye green, down Sherbrook Valley, down Pepper Slade and Abrahams Valley, back to Stepping Stones and over Milford and Shugborough saw me riding the canal back to Armitage in darkness.

The ride on a dull but very warm day had not been great for photos, but the canal around Rugeley and Armitage more than made up for it.

A 48 mile ride on a grey but lovely day was just what I needed. Longer rides are making me feel better again.

This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr http://bit.ly/2C1ed8M
via IFTTT

##365daysofbiking Cold return

January 1st – The ride was continued through beautiful soft half light up to Brocton Field, down into Sherbrook Valley, then over the hill and down Pepper Slide to Abrahams Valley, returning down the A51 to Rugeley then home over Longdon, Stoneywell and Hammerwich.

The Chase was as beautifully cinematic as ever, and filled with hardy souls in new anoraks enjoying the outdoors, many with stoical expressions.

A good sunset, then the beauty of Rugeley from the main road was a real restorative. It was so cold, but I didn’t care: It was just great to be in my beloved Staffordshire outdoors again.

This journal is moving home. Please find out more by clicking here.

from Tumblr http://bit.ly/2BXHTUh
via IFTTT

#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.

June 24th – A second Sunday ride on Cannock Chase, on a much better day than the previous Sunday,. It was warm and sunny and the day languid and beautiful. A bit of an odd one, though: The curious memorial found in the forest and the stunning sun pillar in the evening gave the day and unusual, other-worldly feel.

June 17th – Obvious cat is obvious.

This puss with high hopes and lofty ambitions was hunting by the canal at Rugeley – a roosting mallard had been spotted in the grass with her ducklings, and the story unfolded. Not a great hunter, no ducks were harmed in the making of this post and indeed, they seemed to be mocking the cat in the end.

The cat’s facial expressions are wonderful, particularly in the second image ‘Just a doin’ ma thang, nothin to see here’

Better luck next time puss.

November 12th – A stunning day on Cannock Chase, probably the best I’ve had in years, just going to show that you never know what tomorrow will bring. I felt well, happy and energetic.

Following my annual attendance of the Remembrance Sunday service in South Staffordshire, feeling the sombre nature of the day, I did what I always do when feeling sad: Headed for air and open space. Entering the Chase at Castle Ring, then over to Stonepit Green, Wandon, Rainbow Hill, Slitting Mill, Birches Valley, Penkridge Bank, Marquis Drive, Brocton Field, Freda’s Grave, Sherbrook Valley, Pepper Slade, Wolseley Plain, Abraham’s Valley on the finest, brightest autumn day I’ve had for years.

I saw a fallow deer rut. I saw beauty, felt the cold air in my lungs, climbed hills and cruised trails, took in views. I felt alive again.

All topped out with a spectacular sunset.

This is why I ride a bike.