May 3rd – Meet the avian hoover of the trailhead cafe at Ashbourne. This cheeky fellow evaded most of my attempts to photograph him, but he would flit between the table I was sitting at, the kiosk hatch, and the ground under the table. That’s the crumbs from my muffin he’s got there.
December 20th – A better day indeed. This year, the Monsal Trail, between Bakewell and Cowlow in the Peak District, was upgraded and enhanced for cyclists with the tunnels reopened. Cyclists, walkers and horse riders can now undertake the full length of the eight mile trail. I’ve wanted to try this trail out since it reopened in May, but not had chance. Normally, I’d ride all the way there and back, but due to the dark and weather, I left early and took a train journey to Matlock. From there, I cycled the seven miles up the A6 to the trail start, traversed this fantastic route, then climbed Topley Pike to Chelmorton (a tough slog of about 150m), and headed south along the Penine Bridleway, the full length of the Tissington Trail then back through Ashbourne, Longford, Tutbury and Alrewas. It was a great day, which I shall post about on my main blog over the next few days. The weather was OK, but very overcast, so the photos don’t really do it justice, but a great sunrise at Tamworth high-level station and the snow-topped peaks of the Roaches and Sutton Common were a joy to behold. All in all, a great 95 miles. Roll on spring…
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 