Does anyone want a special half-arsed last-minute^W^W^W^W Exclusive! Limited Edition!
Fridges Of Selly Oak 2024 calendar?
I've got 3 left...
£15 including UK postage.
As is becoming a tradition, I went and rode the Almost Legendary Tunnel Ride route before the clocks go back. I had low expectations after last year, but:
- Diggy hole diversion on the Rea Valley route added faff.
- Minor fettling of the paths on Clent Hill seems to have occurred at some point.
- The first stretch of bridleway near Stourbridge has had the overgrowth trimmed and is nice easy riding.
- Took a wrong turn after Cunty John Lane and found a nice stretch of path that probably sends you back towards Hagley somewhere.
- The Sands Of Doom are now officially downgraded to The Singletrack Of Mild Peril.
- The really boggy bit after crossing the Kidderminster Road has had a welcome injection of gravel. Didn't need to force my way through a hedge this time, either.
- The Roman Road isn't as bad as last time, though I diverted to the adjacent tarmac to avoid horses.
- As discovered last month, the Stourbridge and Dudley Poo canals now have a decent surface.
- Netherton Tunnel much the same as last year (bring all your lights and be prepared to ride through potholes and a couple of inches of standing water), though I note the handrail supports are corroding and starting to look a bit sketchy.
- Birmingham Canal section uneventful, apart from towpath the closure at the M5 flyover. This was also the only time I've ever been sexually propositioned while wearing RainLegs.
- Gave central Birmingham a miss, and returned to Silly Oak via the Harborne Walkway. Which is a pleasure when you've got an appropriately off-road bike and all the dog-emptiers have gone home.
Achievement unlocked: BHPC AGM
(Yes, I won the fish again.)
Full results of today's racing are currently unfit for publication, and will require me to perform feats of arithmetic incompatible with my current level of exhaustion.
Operation giant NYE countdown clock is go!
