Author: Rob Ainsley

Cycled home from route research in Weardale just as winter arrived. Time to switch to a winter bike, then. Hmm. I don’t have a winter bike. Better do something about that, then.

More thrilling route research round Stanhope and Weardale.

More cycle route research, this time in chatty, friendly, hilly Weardale – home of England’s highest three roads.

Two more days of glorious sunny autumn days doing cycle route research round Salisbury. Obviously I couldn’t take my bike everywhere I wanted, because of stern, unbending military rules making me feel most unwelcome as a cyclist. I don’t mean the Army, on the Plain. I mean English Heritage, at Stonehenge.

Route research round Salisbury. Stonehenge: Fail. There are still many unanswered riddles about the ancient monument, such as, where am I supposed to park my bike, English Heritage? Needs better signage and parking. Staff oblivious, press office hopeless about bike access and facilities. Honestly, anyone would think it was the Stone Age.

Final bits of cycle route research round Stratford and Warwick. Threw it down with rain today. No problem for my Ortlieb panniers, which are 100% waterproof. My socks on the other hand are 99% waterproof. Today was the other 1%.

Beautiful October day doing more cycle route research, this time round Shakespeare’s Stratford and the Cotswolds. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Obviously not, ‘cos it’s October.

More route research, this time up spectacular Mow Cop (rhymes with ‘Cow Mop’) south of Congleton. A mile of relentless uphill, average 12%, max 25%, with sweeping views from the folly at the top. Cycled up it, and I didn’t stop once. More like four times.

Another wonderful day researching routes round the hillier and fordier bits of the underrated Staffordshire Moorlands. The scenery in the evening sunshine round Hen Cloud and the Roaches was particularly lovely, and inspired some music for guitar, which you can hear at the bottom of the page. Music for guitar: Hen Cloud Listen to my…

More cycle-route research, this time in Staffordshire Moorlands, aka the bits of the Peak District that aren’t in Derbyshire. Mr Kipling makes exceedingly good lakes.