Videos

November 6th – First video for a while – they’re a bit thin on the ground at the moment. The camera doesn’t work too well in the dark, an my daytime rides are confined to the weekend right now, but the Chase was so lovely last weekend that I thought we could stand another ride cam from it. I’m loving going there at the moment. This run is from Brocton Field (near the trig point and glacial boulder at Chase Road), into the Sherbrook Valley below, and then to Milford via the Stepping Stones. I love this ride…

A late bonus video clip from Thursday, 20th October – This man is an idiot.

Walsall, Leicester Street – Freer Street – Bridge Street junction, about 10 AM.

If you know this cyclist, please tell him from me that he’s an inconsiderate, dangerous cock and that I’m fed up with taking the flak for arseholes like him.

The rules of the road apply to us, too.

October 19th – Another moron who can’t wait a couple of seconds, causing me to brake to make allowance for his impetuosity. There’s really no need for this – he didn’t save any time, and just pissed me off. Is there a gene that makes some folk like this, or is it a hormone thing?

For fans of the ride videos, they’re difficult right now because of the sun angle at the time I got to work. Hence this one is a bit dingy. Hoping the situation will improve soon.

5th October – This one is far more serious. Recently, the Whitehouse junction in Aldridge was resurfaced an re designed. It’s now horrid to cycle across, and encourages the type of driver behaviour demonstrated above. The guy cuts me up, then stops his car, opens the door and shouts something abusive at me (I couldn’t hear what, due to the wind). I notice he didn’t seem to want to hang around and discuss the issue. All I did was shake my head and mutter.

EY52ANE – you’re dangerous. Please consider your behaviour and it’s effect on others, before you kill somebody.

5th October – There seemed to be a lot of dodgy driving today as I rode home from Darlaston. This one, at the Pleck Road Junction near the former Brown Lion pub, Walsall – although not terrible in itself, was somewhat annoying. Clearly the result of queuing across the junction. The lady driver giving me the finger as I cycled past was a particularly tasteful touch, I thought.

September 20th – Had I known what I would face on the commute home, I probably wouldn’t have spent so much time fretting about the river. Halfway into my journey to Redditch railway station, it started to rain. By the time I got to the train, it was raining really quite hard. Luckily, I’d come prepared and had my waterproofs on, but the mostly uphill journey (I was running a tad late) and some mechanicals with the bike made this journey a tad trying.

September 18th – A glorious run on Cannock Chase from the Hednesford Hills to Seven Springs. Plenty of young cyclists out learning to ride – see if you can spot the girl with the teddy bear in her front basket. The journey actually takes about 45 minutes, but is condensed into two minutes 46 seconds.

Soundtrack is the gorgeous ‘Clockwork’ by Buttcher Boy.

September 1st – I’ve followed this guy and his wonderfully joyous dog down the Arrow Valley cycle route in Redditch a couple of times this week on the way to work. There’s something infectious about the way the dog is so happy to run with his cycling master – I love the way he looks back at me and to his companion, almost as if he’s laughing. The happy tail and general air of enjoyment make me sad to overtake this pair on what must be a regular fixture. Look out for the quick glance rightwards as the dog crosses the road, and his expert negotiation of the barriers. Love it.

August 28th -This is one of my favourite canal runs anywhere – from the junction by the ICC (Old Turn junc.) to Aston junction. Fast, technically tricky (cobbled sections very challenging, to say the least), often busy with people and other cyclists. When relatively unobstructed, as on this quiet, sunny Sunday Evening, it’s a joy to the heart. Only brief edits of the boring bits – whole journey only takes a little over 7 minutes if you crack on.