Video – Page 11 – BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking

April 22nd – The long Good Friday.

I start many journeys into the Peak District with a run up the A515 Ashbourne Road from Lichfield to Sudbury. This may seem an odd thing to do, but it’s a lovely road, and is fairly straight and direct. When I’m exploring far away, I prefer to get there as quickly as I can – there’s plenty of time for the quiet byways near home on shorter runs. The A515 passes through delightful villages, serious hills, two rivers and a fantastic downhill through Draycott.

It was a fantastic morning.

April 20th – A trip down the woodland path over the Shropshire Union Canal, just near to Brewood. A great spot to walk or ride, it’s well worth a visit. Brewood has some great cafes and pubs, and Chillington Hall is nearby, with loads of great history.

April 20th – negotiating the Longford Island, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, at rush hour on a bright Wednesday afternoon at 5:00pm. Not as scary as you’d imagine.

April 15th – later in the same afternoon I found myself in the wake of a very fast lady cyclist, powering through the Aston canal towpaths. I was left thinking some distinctly ungentlemanly thoughts, but they weren’t quite what you might expect.

You need to watch this with the sound turned on.

April 15th – Whilst cycling round the Birmingham canals between meetings, I happen upon a guy training on the Soho Loop. He doesn’t dig my sense of humour…

April 13th – Morning downhill commute. Long uphill run from Little Aston, the hill crests at the lights at the junction of Streetly Lane and Four Oaks Road. An exhilirating blast at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour ensues. Just right for blowing away the morning blues.

April 8th – The first good ride of the summer. Hopwas to Hademore on the Coventry Canal through Hopwas Hayes Wood and Tamhorn.

April 6th – The beginning of the Arrow Valley cycling route in Redditch, part of the national cycle network. I ride this as a commute quite often. The route is a ribbon of green surrounded by urbanisation, and is really quite wonderful.

The pause in the middle of the river bridge is to look for Kingfishers, which are a frequent sight here.

April 4th – The Elms island in Aldridge, and some interesting driving. How I love that roundabout – not.

April 3rd – Coulter Lane, Burntwood. Goose offers a little cycling advice, which I’m careful to heed.