#lullington

#365daysofbiking Church worship and a great deception:

Saturday 26th February 2022 - A weary, slow second ride of the weekend, again with Pickle. I had planned this the night before with my soul full of optimism, spring energy and warmth, but as it turned out the day although beautiful, was acutely chilly and the places we visited to see spring flowers were all mostly still barren.

It was a day of churches though, and they looked stunning: Dunstall, Clifton Campville and Lullington looked splendid as they always do, resplendent in their landscapes but the best of all was Lullington which pleasingly, had a gorgeous mix of flowers and colours: Cyclamen, narcissus, some early daffs, snowdrops and crocuses.

Sadly, the cold in this fool’s spring was so sharp it was energy-sapping and the ride was curtailed by agreement, but was still a respectable 54 miles.

That’s the trouble with beautiful days in late February: They deceive you that the winter is over.

#365daysofbiking Roadside repairs:

Sunday March 7th 2021 – Sometimes when your bike ails you, the only thing you can do is pack a big bag of tools, and ride it with an ear attuned to the sounds it may make in complaint.

I set off for a ride over to Hopwas, Syerscote, Clifton and Lullington, returning via Whitemoor Haye. Fortunately I nailed the problem with the bike at Hopwas. 

In the shadow of that farmhouse-like, remarkable church, I found my rubs and rattles were due to a slightly loose brake calliper, which was mobile when braking but not loose enough to be obvious. 

Secured and adjusted, I rode out with renewed vigour. After all, newly fixed up bikes always go faster.

Sadly, the light wasn’t with me, and spring still hadn’t kissed Syerscote or that gorgeous view back to Clifton from the hill to Lullington, where the Mease Valley separates you from it. 

But it will.

In these strange times I am impatient for the comfort and openness of better days, as are we all. But for now, we must just press on.

#365daysofbiking Sky watching:

May 16th - A day with little wind, beautiful skies and clear air, bathed in beautiful sunshine. There was nothing for it but to saddle up and head for my favourite haunts in East Staffordshire.

Heading out of Brownhills up over Shire Oak, a favourite view was captured, then through the lanes of Chesterfield and Shenstone, Weeford and Hopwas. From there, Wigginton, Rickerscote and Syerscote for one of my favourite lanes of all.

There’s something gorgeous about a summer day lane with open fields and no hedgerows.

I went then to Honey Hill and No Mans Heath, Netherseal, Lullington, Coton in the Elms and back through Catton, Whitemoor Haye, Huddlesford and Lichfield.

Not a massive ride by any stretch, but the skies and villages were perfect, and I’ll treasure my hours on these lockdown traffic-free roads for the rest of my life. I hardly saw a soul.

Times have been very hard indeed. But the sun and constancy of my beloved countryside is healing me with every ride now.

#365daysofbiking Slight return:

March 22nd - A great 62 mile ride out to Rosliston Foresstry Centre, Coton in the Elms, Lullington, Netherseal and No Mans Heath. It was a lovely spring day in the sun, and the cake at Rosliston was excellent. It was a lovely day top be out.

When I changed direction at No Mans Heath, the sun was setting and the wind drove against me. It went very cold, and coming home was a real batt.e, reminding me that although the sun had been out, winter’s hand could still be felt on the weather. It was bitter.

A lovely ride out though, and just what I needed.

June 9th - I carried on from Clifton on a weary, hot but enjoyable ride around Netherseal, Lullington, Edingale and Croxall. The countryside was showing itself beautifully, and the willows over the Seal Brook are still timeless.

One small complaint, though. Country pubs, that people tend to drive or cycle to: I don’t drink when riding for the same reason I wouldn’t if driving, but I do like a nice alcohol free beer. So why not stock it?

Nothing worse than sugary, sickly syrup parading as a soft drink when you’re really looking for something cool and bitter to take the edge off.