Friday 30th March
Distance: 31.3 km (19.45 mi)
Time 5 hours 57
Average speed: 5.26 km/h (3.27 mph)
For this one I combined a Friday walk home with the scheduled 20 mile training walk. To make up the required distance I combined my three possible routes from Rugeley to Stafford.
Firstly I headed up Stile Cop. The weather had just turned and the glorious sunshine of the past few days had become a thick cloud covering. Worse, when in the wind it was feeling chilly. I was in a t-shirt and persisted so, it wasn't too bad out of the wind.
At Stile Cop (the only real climb, 146 m worth) I went down the track beside the bike trail then across the main road heading back into the Chase. At the stepping stones I turned right to go past the Forest Centre and follow the Cannock/Rugeley footpath back into Rugeley.
In Rugeley I followed the road to the Moseley where I picked up the canal heading for Stafford. Then it was a simple trudge back to make just shy of the 20 miles. The net result was stiff and sore legs the following day, but no blisters.
Showing posts with label chase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chase. Show all posts
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Hellrunner 11/2/2012
No, I didn't participate. I just spectated and cheered on some friends that were doing it. It's a circa ten mile run up and down hills and through muddy water.
That Saturday was a cold day, about -4°C in the morning and not due to get above freezing until sometime in the afternoon. No wind or rain, but a lovely clear sky.
I parked at Chase Road Corner at a little after 9:15 then set of for the Tackeroo caravan site where I'd been told the start was. Coming up to Rifle Range Corner I could see marshals in high-vis vests managing hordes of people crossing the road from the caravan site and heading towards the Rifle Range car park. Assuming that was for the Hellrunner, I turned left for the car park. Halfway along the road I bumped into Matt and somebody whose name I didn't catch (sorry) who were just nipping back to the Tackeroo to get their kit from the car. They'd spotted that there were facilities for dumping kit at the start/finish line.
The Rifle Range car park was full of marquees and stalls and lots of runners milling around with spectators, organisers and the like. After a bit of wandering around, we all met up, the five runners plus Wayne and me who had come to help and/or laugh at misfortune.
Matt, Emily, Raad, Andy and Swnidc(s) before the start
As the 1030 start approached, I made my way to the other side of the start line. The runners would head downhill from the car park towards the Sherbrook valley. After a bit of a delay (it does take time to get ~1500 people ready to go, especially when there is a long line to drop off your kit bag) they set off at about 1040. It took two and a half minutes for everyone to cross the start line.
There wasn't a route posted. The runners at the front followed a quad bike, the rest followed the front. We spectators had no idea, but according to the photographers the route came back past the start/finish line fairly quickly. We could see them heading south up a hill into Parr's Warren so I positioned myself on the track that came out of there and waited. Sure enough they came that way, running on the re-frozen snow.
Not shown for sanity's sake: either of the two blokes in nothing but a mankini
Once they had all passed by, heading north to the trig point and then into Haywood Slade, I went that way myself (off the route) wondering where would be the best place to catch them next. I followed a bunch of other spectators and found myself at the old rifle butts in the woods. The route ran past there and I had already missed most of them as there were only a few stragglers passing. What kept me there was that the route was going to pass there a second time, but now directly along the length of the pool at the foot of the butts. The one with a layer of ice about an inch thick. They had broken a path through for the runners some hours earlier but it had refrozen. I took up position on the top of the butts and waited
The first few through were skidding on the ice before breaking through the thin layer and into cold water up to their stomachs. It was noted that they were far from the shortest competitors. They were "encouraged" by a man on the PA dressed as Satan. Soon he was acting as DJ, playing things like Deep Purple's Burn and Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire plus many more, highly appropriate tracks. By the time I saw Emily and Andy go through there was a wide-ish channel clear of ice but obviously still ice-cold. It was also clear there was an underwater obstacle tripping many of them up. Including Matt:
Taken as Matt surfaced
Once Matt was through I started back to the finish line by the direct route. I saw Matt again as we both passed the trig point, then just as I reached the finish line I saw him cross it. Alas I didn't have time to get the camera out.
I met up with everyone behind the finish line, everyone except Raad who was still out running somewhere on the course and Wayne who was looking for him. After a while we started wondering whereabouts Raad actually was. He hadn't finished and wasn't in the First Aid tent. Andy and Emily had to go off to relieve a babysitter, the rest of us waited.
We started to get concerned when nearly everyone else had gone and the various stalls started packing up, but then about an hour after Matt finished:
What's more, there were more in after him.
That Saturday was a cold day, about -4°C in the morning and not due to get above freezing until sometime in the afternoon. No wind or rain, but a lovely clear sky.
I parked at Chase Road Corner at a little after 9:15 then set of for the Tackeroo caravan site where I'd been told the start was. Coming up to Rifle Range Corner I could see marshals in high-vis vests managing hordes of people crossing the road from the caravan site and heading towards the Rifle Range car park. Assuming that was for the Hellrunner, I turned left for the car park. Halfway along the road I bumped into Matt and somebody whose name I didn't catch (sorry) who were just nipping back to the Tackeroo to get their kit from the car. They'd spotted that there were facilities for dumping kit at the start/finish line.
The Rifle Range car park was full of marquees and stalls and lots of runners milling around with spectators, organisers and the like. After a bit of wandering around, we all met up, the five runners plus Wayne and me who had come to help and/or laugh at misfortune.
Matt, Emily, Raad, Andy and Swnidc(s) before the start
As the 1030 start approached, I made my way to the other side of the start line. The runners would head downhill from the car park towards the Sherbrook valley. After a bit of a delay (it does take time to get ~1500 people ready to go, especially when there is a long line to drop off your kit bag) they set off at about 1040. It took two and a half minutes for everyone to cross the start line.
There wasn't a route posted. The runners at the front followed a quad bike, the rest followed the front. We spectators had no idea, but according to the photographers the route came back past the start/finish line fairly quickly. We could see them heading south up a hill into Parr's Warren so I positioned myself on the track that came out of there and waited. Sure enough they came that way, running on the re-frozen snow.
Not shown for sanity's sake: either of the two blokes in nothing but a mankini
Once they had all passed by, heading north to the trig point and then into Haywood Slade, I went that way myself (off the route) wondering where would be the best place to catch them next. I followed a bunch of other spectators and found myself at the old rifle butts in the woods. The route ran past there and I had already missed most of them as there were only a few stragglers passing. What kept me there was that the route was going to pass there a second time, but now directly along the length of the pool at the foot of the butts. The one with a layer of ice about an inch thick. They had broken a path through for the runners some hours earlier but it had refrozen. I took up position on the top of the butts and waited
The first few through were skidding on the ice before breaking through the thin layer and into cold water up to their stomachs. It was noted that they were far from the shortest competitors. They were "encouraged" by a man on the PA dressed as Satan. Soon he was acting as DJ, playing things like Deep Purple's Burn and Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire plus many more, highly appropriate tracks. By the time I saw Emily and Andy go through there was a wide-ish channel clear of ice but obviously still ice-cold. It was also clear there was an underwater obstacle tripping many of them up. Including Matt:
Taken as Matt surfaced
Once Matt was through I started back to the finish line by the direct route. I saw Matt again as we both passed the trig point, then just as I reached the finish line I saw him cross it. Alas I didn't have time to get the camera out.
I met up with everyone behind the finish line, everyone except Raad who was still out running somewhere on the course and Wayne who was looking for him. After a while we started wondering whereabouts Raad actually was. He hadn't finished and wasn't in the First Aid tent. Andy and Emily had to go off to relieve a babysitter, the rest of us waited.
We started to get concerned when nearly everyone else had gone and the various stalls started packing up, but then about an hour after Matt finished:
What's more, there were more in after him.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
30 mile training walk
Distance: 46.5 km (28.9 mi)
Time: 9 hours 51
Average speed: 4.72 km/h (2.93 mph)
I should really have done this walk today, when it's overcast, rather than yesterday when it was sunny and hot. I also wouldn't have truncated it to meet a deadline...
I set off a little before 8am with the first waypoint being Beacon Hill. Despite the sun beating down I could barely see Stafford Castle due to the smog already building. The sun was beating down and there was no wind. I was carrying a litre and a half of water and expecting to use all of it before the end.
I headed downhill, past the county showground where there were a lot of folks turning up for the Motorbike show, across Hopton Heath and down to Salt where I joined the Trent and Mersey canal. I headed east, passing Weston where I could see even more folks queueing for the county showground, and walking on towards Haywood Junction.
I left the canal to go through the Shugborough estate (lots of visitors) to get to Cannock Chase at the Punch Bowl. The Chase was the busiest I've seen this year with hordes of folks, mainly cyclists, all along the Sherbrooke valley. They seemed to have run out of parking at the visitor centre.
At the visitor centre I bought two small bottles of something fruity and cold to supplement my dwindling water supply and downed them quickly, which would turn out to be a mistake. I was planning to have my sandwiches there but in the end I could barely manage half a banana. The showers that had been forecast were plainly not going to turn up so I put on another layer of sun block and rethought my route.
Instead of heading up towards Castle Ring, I decided to just head up Kitbag Hill, then turn left and go down towards the Stony Brook Pools. Although the sun wasn't going away at least a breeze had arrived to cool me down. Walking down towards them I passed a man who asked if he was heading towards Marquis Drive. "Just up to the top there, then a little way past." Then a couple of minutes later a cyclist came up behind me and asked the way back to the car park.
"Which car park?" His face fell. "Was it the visitor centre?" "There was a building." "In which case it's back up there, then turn right." It was only after he'd disappeared from sight that I thought he might have meant Birches Valley (which hires out bikes) instead. In the unlikely event you're reading this, sorry.
With the water dwindling I headed up past Fairoak Lodge heading for the Tackeroo caravan site. However the liquids I'd already drunk to stave off the heat were backing up in the stomach. Just after I'd crossed the road and was about to reach the caravan site I had to stop and let them escape. Orange flavoured water has a better taste when coming up than many other things, if that's anything you want to take into consideration.
At the caravan site I refilled the water and resolved to be more sparing with it. Then a little retrace of the steps back to the Sherbrook valley before heading up to Anson's Bank and Brocton Field. Here I decided on another change of route, instead of heading down to Brocton Lodge and across the fields to Walton-on-the-Hill, I stayed on the route of the old railway line and down to Milford Common. Partially this was for a little variety as I hadn't been that way in ages but it was also because I knew it would be downhill all the way.
At Milford Common I treated myself to an ice cream before joining the Staffs and Worcester canal. From there it was just the standard canal side route back to Stafford and home. I also got my second wind on this stretch, at least until the final half-mile.
In the end the route was a little over a mile short of the intended, but I made that very important 6pm deadline.
I've also decided on the footware for the actual walk, the walking shoes rather than the boots. I used the shoes yesterday as it was all good paths and although I got a couple of blisters, no more than I'd expect if I was using boots and they are a lot lighter.
Time: 9 hours 51
Average speed: 4.72 km/h (2.93 mph)
I should really have done this walk today, when it's overcast, rather than yesterday when it was sunny and hot. I also wouldn't have truncated it to meet a deadline...
I set off a little before 8am with the first waypoint being Beacon Hill. Despite the sun beating down I could barely see Stafford Castle due to the smog already building. The sun was beating down and there was no wind. I was carrying a litre and a half of water and expecting to use all of it before the end.
I headed downhill, past the county showground where there were a lot of folks turning up for the Motorbike show, across Hopton Heath and down to Salt where I joined the Trent and Mersey canal. I headed east, passing Weston where I could see even more folks queueing for the county showground, and walking on towards Haywood Junction.
I left the canal to go through the Shugborough estate (lots of visitors) to get to Cannock Chase at the Punch Bowl. The Chase was the busiest I've seen this year with hordes of folks, mainly cyclists, all along the Sherbrooke valley. They seemed to have run out of parking at the visitor centre.
At the visitor centre I bought two small bottles of something fruity and cold to supplement my dwindling water supply and downed them quickly, which would turn out to be a mistake. I was planning to have my sandwiches there but in the end I could barely manage half a banana. The showers that had been forecast were plainly not going to turn up so I put on another layer of sun block and rethought my route.
Instead of heading up towards Castle Ring, I decided to just head up Kitbag Hill, then turn left and go down towards the Stony Brook Pools. Although the sun wasn't going away at least a breeze had arrived to cool me down. Walking down towards them I passed a man who asked if he was heading towards Marquis Drive. "Just up to the top there, then a little way past." Then a couple of minutes later a cyclist came up behind me and asked the way back to the car park.
"Which car park?" His face fell. "Was it the visitor centre?" "There was a building." "In which case it's back up there, then turn right." It was only after he'd disappeared from sight that I thought he might have meant Birches Valley (which hires out bikes) instead. In the unlikely event you're reading this, sorry.
With the water dwindling I headed up past Fairoak Lodge heading for the Tackeroo caravan site. However the liquids I'd already drunk to stave off the heat were backing up in the stomach. Just after I'd crossed the road and was about to reach the caravan site I had to stop and let them escape. Orange flavoured water has a better taste when coming up than many other things, if that's anything you want to take into consideration.
At the caravan site I refilled the water and resolved to be more sparing with it. Then a little retrace of the steps back to the Sherbrook valley before heading up to Anson's Bank and Brocton Field. Here I decided on another change of route, instead of heading down to Brocton Lodge and across the fields to Walton-on-the-Hill, I stayed on the route of the old railway line and down to Milford Common. Partially this was for a little variety as I hadn't been that way in ages but it was also because I knew it would be downhill all the way.
At Milford Common I treated myself to an ice cream before joining the Staffs and Worcester canal. From there it was just the standard canal side route back to Stafford and home. I also got my second wind on this stretch, at least until the final half-mile.
In the end the route was a little over a mile short of the intended, but I made that very important 6pm deadline.
I've also decided on the footware for the actual walk, the walking shoes rather than the boots. I used the shoes yesterday as it was all good paths and although I got a couple of blisters, no more than I'd expect if I was using boots and they are a lot lighter.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Friday 18th - Over the Chase
Distance: 22.2 km (13.79 mi)
Time: 4 hours 21
Average speed: 5.1 km/h (3.2 mph)
Last Friday was the start of a batch of good, spring-like weather. So good that I walked most of it in short sleeves, a hat and sunglasses.
This route was again Rugeley to Stafford but this time it was the scenic route. From work I went up to Stile Cop, then down along one of the bike trails to Miflins Valley. That particular trail isn't bike-only but is pretty steep so you have to watch out for fast bikes coming down. Fortunately the bikes were struggling going uphill.
I crossed the road and went past the pools and up to Fairoak Lodge, then across to the Tackeroo camping site and Rifle Range Corner. From there it's down to the Sherbrook Valley and up over the heathland to join the route of the old military railway. Leaving the Chase I took the footpaths across the fields from Brocton Lodge to Walton-on-the-Hill. Then I crossed the A513 and cut through the housing estate to get down to the canal to get to the other side of Baswich Bridge. Instead of continuing on to near Radford Bank, I took a footpath over the fields to the bank of the River Sow and followed that to Fairway, thence by the roads home.
It really was far too nice a day to be indoors. Unfortunately it's been that way most of this week when I've had to be in doors.
Time: 4 hours 21
Average speed: 5.1 km/h (3.2 mph)
Last Friday was the start of a batch of good, spring-like weather. So good that I walked most of it in short sleeves, a hat and sunglasses.
This route was again Rugeley to Stafford but this time it was the scenic route. From work I went up to Stile Cop, then down along one of the bike trails to Miflins Valley. That particular trail isn't bike-only but is pretty steep so you have to watch out for fast bikes coming down. Fortunately the bikes were struggling going uphill.
I crossed the road and went past the pools and up to Fairoak Lodge, then across to the Tackeroo camping site and Rifle Range Corner. From there it's down to the Sherbrook Valley and up over the heathland to join the route of the old military railway. Leaving the Chase I took the footpaths across the fields from Brocton Lodge to Walton-on-the-Hill. Then I crossed the A513 and cut through the housing estate to get down to the canal to get to the other side of Baswich Bridge. Instead of continuing on to near Radford Bank, I took a footpath over the fields to the bank of the River Sow and followed that to Fairway, thence by the roads home.
It really was far too nice a day to be indoors. Unfortunately it's been that way most of this week when I've had to be in doors.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Less Icy
Distance: 15.8 km (9.82 mi)
Time: 3 hours 17 minutes
Average speed: 4.81 km/h (2.99 mph)
The paths weren't like ice rinks this morning. A few days worth of being above zero took care of that, although it had refroze last night. I didn't lose my footing once.
Again starting from Chase Road Corner I headed past the German cemetery, then on to Brindley Heath. For a change I then headed towards Hednesford and bypassing the Pine Cafe I reached my former place of work. Back in 2005 they moved us back to Rugeley and sold the site to some developers, but it's only this year they've finally demolished the old building.
I followed the footpath around our old site and up around the golf course to where it crosses over the last hole. Then downhill to Maquis Drive. This the reverse of the way I've done the route before. I crossed the road and the railway line and walked up Kitbag Hill to the Visitor Centre. The poor National Service buggers who had to do it in full kit have my sympathy.
According to the Met Office, this mild weather is a brief respite and the snow could well be back in force next weekend.
Time: 3 hours 17 minutes
Average speed: 4.81 km/h (2.99 mph)
The paths weren't like ice rinks this morning. A few days worth of being above zero took care of that, although it had refroze last night. I didn't lose my footing once.
Again starting from Chase Road Corner I headed past the German cemetery, then on to Brindley Heath. For a change I then headed towards Hednesford and bypassing the Pine Cafe I reached my former place of work. Back in 2005 they moved us back to Rugeley and sold the site to some developers, but it's only this year they've finally demolished the old building.
I followed the footpath around our old site and up around the golf course to where it crosses over the last hole. Then downhill to Maquis Drive. This the reverse of the way I've done the route before. I crossed the road and the railway line and walked up Kitbag Hill to the Visitor Centre. The poor National Service buggers who had to do it in full kit have my sympathy.
According to the Met Office, this mild weather is a brief respite and the snow could well be back in force next weekend.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Icy Cannock Chase
Distance: 6.63 km (4.12 mi)
Time: 1 hour 31
Average Speed: 4.37 km/h (2.72 mph)
Mid November I came down with the lurgi and spend two weeks at home trying to stay warm. Now that I've recovered I ventured out onto Cannock Chase this morning but didn't stay long. It wasn't that I was still ill, out of condition (just a bit) or that it was too cold. It was the lack of grip.
There's a weeks worth of snow frozen solid with a light layer of loose snow on top. Combine that with a temperature hovering around freezing and you have to be very sure of your footing. I kept to the edge of the paths, the ice rink in the centre was just too risky.
So just a short loop. From Chase Road Corner to Coppice Hill, then down the old Tackeroo line and around Brocton Coppice to the stepping stones. From there the picturesque walk up the Sherbrook Valley to the place where the path kinks away from the Sherbrook where I took the direct route back to the car. Chilly, but a lovely clear sky.
Time: 1 hour 31
Average Speed: 4.37 km/h (2.72 mph)
Mid November I came down with the lurgi and spend two weeks at home trying to stay warm. Now that I've recovered I ventured out onto Cannock Chase this morning but didn't stay long. It wasn't that I was still ill, out of condition (just a bit) or that it was too cold. It was the lack of grip.
There's a weeks worth of snow frozen solid with a light layer of loose snow on top. Combine that with a temperature hovering around freezing and you have to be very sure of your footing. I kept to the edge of the paths, the ice rink in the centre was just too risky.
So just a short loop. From Chase Road Corner to Coppice Hill, then down the old Tackeroo line and around Brocton Coppice to the stepping stones. From there the picturesque walk up the Sherbrook Valley to the place where the path kinks away from the Sherbrook where I took the direct route back to the car. Chilly, but a lovely clear sky.
September to November
I've been walking but not blogging. The Sunday morning walks have been mainly on the Chase, but I've been up the Wrekin twice and around the Roaches once in late September.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Monday: Castle Ring
(Delayed posting, due to ADSL's yo-yo behavior)
Distance: 48.4 km (30.1 mi)
Time: 10 hours, 15
Average speed: 4.72 km/h (2.93) mph
According to the training schedule, the weekend of the 24th/25th was for the 30 mile (48 km) walk. However the very occasional Pendragon game intervened so I took the Monday off to do the walk then instead.
The day's target was, as in the previous two years, Castle Ring (SK 04287 12826) which is the highest point on Cannock Chase. The route I had planned took the long way to get there, and the direct route back.
I set off at just before 8am. I took the risk that it was t-shirt weather (with waterproof jacket in the backpack) and although a little cold the clear skies helped it to warm up nicely. I took the Sandon Road, then Beaconside before leaving the road and heading for Beacon Hill. From there it was down to Hopton Pools intending to cross Hopton Heath on the footpath that goes past the battle field. That was closed, so I used the Weston Road to go around it. Then it was down across the fields, dodging three tractors together, to reach the Trent and Mersey canal at Salt.
It was then a case of following the canal to Haywood Junction. Like most trips along the canal it was flat and dull. The wind got up a couple of places and cooled me down but the sun was still doing its best.
At Haywood Junction I came across the Essex Bridge and through Shugborough to the Punchbowl and the Stepping Stones. Coming along the Sherbrook Valley I could hear both a cuckoo and a woodpecker.
Apparently at the weekend there had been fires on the Chase. All along the southern half of the Sherbrook the heath towards Brocton Field and Anson's Bank was black with patches of green and yellow that had escaped. There was a very prominent smell of carbon in the air.
I followed the Heart of England way to Marquis Drive. By the Visitor Centre I stopped for my sandwiches as it was 1250 (26 km). I took the opportunity to charge up the GPS from the USB battery I got from Maplins. When I started again 15 minutes later I could feel the blisters had started to form on both heels.
After crossing the railway line and the A460 I left Marquis Drive to head up to the Beau Desert Golf Club (the bridleway crosses the last hole). It's normally a mud-fest going up that hill but it was dry as a bone. In fact the only mud to be seen on the Chase was around the streams and pools.
I reached Castle Ring at 1423 and checked the progress. A little over 32 km, and 16 km from home as the crow flies, on target for 48 km (~30 mi). I was down to the last few mouthfulls of water, though.
For the return leg I headed towards Stile Cop, passed the caravan site on the left and rejoined Marquis Drive briefly before taking a right fork and joining my Rugely to Stafford via Stile Cop route. Recrossing the A460 I had the last of the water, but had worked out a contingency plan.
Past Fairoak Lodge the forestry people were out in force. I had to wait for one guy loading logs onto his lorry to notice me before I squeezed past. There were no caravans at the Tackeroo caravan park, but the drinking water was still on so I refilled there.
I retraced the Heart of England way for a little while before heading up Anson's Bank amongst all the burnt area where the smell was even stronger.
I reached Walton-on-the-Hill at a quarter to six. Reaching the Lichfield Road, the GPS was reading 47.3 km and I was feeling knackered. Rather than head down the the canal, I instead walked along the road, checking the GPS at every bus stop. At the double mini-roundabout with the Cannock road, it clocked up 48.4 km and I deciced that was enough and waited for the next bus.
I ended up with three blisters. Lately, when I've had blisters I've been wearing that pair of socks, or its twin, so I think a change is in order.
Distance: 48.4 km (30.1 mi)
Time: 10 hours, 15
Average speed: 4.72 km/h (2.93) mph
According to the training schedule, the weekend of the 24th/25th was for the 30 mile (48 km) walk. However the very occasional Pendragon game intervened so I took the Monday off to do the walk then instead.
The day's target was, as in the previous two years, Castle Ring (SK 04287 12826) which is the highest point on Cannock Chase. The route I had planned took the long way to get there, and the direct route back.
I set off at just before 8am. I took the risk that it was t-shirt weather (with waterproof jacket in the backpack) and although a little cold the clear skies helped it to warm up nicely. I took the Sandon Road, then Beaconside before leaving the road and heading for Beacon Hill. From there it was down to Hopton Pools intending to cross Hopton Heath on the footpath that goes past the battle field. That was closed, so I used the Weston Road to go around it. Then it was down across the fields, dodging three tractors together, to reach the Trent and Mersey canal at Salt.
It was then a case of following the canal to Haywood Junction. Like most trips along the canal it was flat and dull. The wind got up a couple of places and cooled me down but the sun was still doing its best.
At Haywood Junction I came across the Essex Bridge and through Shugborough to the Punchbowl and the Stepping Stones. Coming along the Sherbrook Valley I could hear both a cuckoo and a woodpecker.
Apparently at the weekend there had been fires on the Chase. All along the southern half of the Sherbrook the heath towards Brocton Field and Anson's Bank was black with patches of green and yellow that had escaped. There was a very prominent smell of carbon in the air.
I followed the Heart of England way to Marquis Drive. By the Visitor Centre I stopped for my sandwiches as it was 1250 (26 km). I took the opportunity to charge up the GPS from the USB battery I got from Maplins. When I started again 15 minutes later I could feel the blisters had started to form on both heels.
After crossing the railway line and the A460 I left Marquis Drive to head up to the Beau Desert Golf Club (the bridleway crosses the last hole). It's normally a mud-fest going up that hill but it was dry as a bone. In fact the only mud to be seen on the Chase was around the streams and pools.
I reached Castle Ring at 1423 and checked the progress. A little over 32 km, and 16 km from home as the crow flies, on target for 48 km (~30 mi). I was down to the last few mouthfulls of water, though.
For the return leg I headed towards Stile Cop, passed the caravan site on the left and rejoined Marquis Drive briefly before taking a right fork and joining my Rugely to Stafford via Stile Cop route. Recrossing the A460 I had the last of the water, but had worked out a contingency plan.
Past Fairoak Lodge the forestry people were out in force. I had to wait for one guy loading logs onto his lorry to notice me before I squeezed past. There were no caravans at the Tackeroo caravan park, but the drinking water was still on so I refilled there.
I retraced the Heart of England way for a little while before heading up Anson's Bank amongst all the burnt area where the smell was even stronger.
I reached Walton-on-the-Hill at a quarter to six. Reaching the Lichfield Road, the GPS was reading 47.3 km and I was feeling knackered. Rather than head down the the canal, I instead walked along the road, checking the GPS at every bus stop. At the double mini-roundabout with the Cannock road, it clocked up 48.4 km and I deciced that was enough and waited for the next bus.
I ended up with three blisters. Lately, when I've had blisters I've been wearing that pair of socks, or its twin, so I think a change is in order.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
A Short Walk On The Chase
Distance: 11.2 km (6.96 mi)
Time: 2 hours 17
Average speed: 4.88 km/h (3.05 mph)
Just a two hour walk this morning. I started a little after 8 am, when the Sun had had a chance to take the chill off. I didn't see a cloud at all.
From Chase Road Corner, I went to Spring Slade Lodge, past the military cemetery, onto Brindley Heath for a wander then past the Visitor Centre to Fairoak Lodge, the Rifle Range and back to the car park.
Beautiful blue sky, and I haven't seen a contrail in days. In fact, until three light aircraft flew over me as I was coming up from Sherbrook Valley, I hadn't seen any trace of powered flight in days.
No deer to be seen, but plenty of rabbits, crows and one woodpecker. Plus a cuckoo I couldn't see but could hear.
Time: 2 hours 17
Average speed: 4.88 km/h (3.05 mph)
Just a two hour walk this morning. I started a little after 8 am, when the Sun had had a chance to take the chill off. I didn't see a cloud at all.
From Chase Road Corner, I went to Spring Slade Lodge, past the military cemetery, onto Brindley Heath for a wander then past the Visitor Centre to Fairoak Lodge, the Rifle Range and back to the car park.
Beautiful blue sky, and I haven't seen a contrail in days. In fact, until three light aircraft flew over me as I was coming up from Sherbrook Valley, I hadn't seen any trace of powered flight in days.
No deer to be seen, but plenty of rabbits, crows and one woodpecker. Plus a cuckoo I couldn't see but could hear.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Friday: Rugeley to Stafford
Distance: 21.8 km (13.55 mi)
Time: 4 hours, 3 minutes
Average speed: 5.38 km/h (3.34 mph)
This was the same route as the 19th of March. The discrepancy in distance is because the GPS was playing up and I had to reset it some 15 minutes into the walk.
This really was a lovely Spring day. The weather seems to be making up for Winter, although as I native of these lands I harbour suspicions that it is merely lulling us in a false sense of security. The ground on the Chase is dry as a bone, cracking in some places and turning to dust in others.
Crossing Brocton Field I could see three buzzards (probably) gliding on the air currents. Alas I didn't have my camera, and anyway I have established beyond all doubt I'm no wildlife photographer.
The section along the canal I even had to put on my sunglasses because of the sun being reflected in the water.
The finish saw me less tired and less sore than the last time I did the route, so this training must be working. Just a pity it was the Friday closest to pay day and therefore takeaway night.
Time: 4 hours, 3 minutes
Average speed: 5.38 km/h (3.34 mph)
This was the same route as the 19th of March. The discrepancy in distance is because the GPS was playing up and I had to reset it some 15 minutes into the walk.
This really was a lovely Spring day. The weather seems to be making up for Winter, although as I native of these lands I harbour suspicions that it is merely lulling us in a false sense of security. The ground on the Chase is dry as a bone, cracking in some places and turning to dust in others.
Crossing Brocton Field I could see three buzzards (probably) gliding on the air currents. Alas I didn't have my camera, and anyway I have established beyond all doubt I'm no wildlife photographer.
The section along the canal I even had to put on my sunglasses because of the sun being reflected in the water.
The finish saw me less tired and less sore than the last time I did the route, so this training must be working. Just a pity it was the Friday closest to pay day and therefore takeaway night.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Friday: Rugeley to Stafford
Time: 4 hours, 21 minutes
Distance: 22.9 km (14.23 mi)
Average speed: 5.26 km/h (3.27 mph)
Soundtrack: Insurgentes, Lightbulb Sun, The Wall
Friday was either the last day of winter or the 20th day of spring depending on who you believe. It felt more spring-like than winter-like.
Rather than the easy route along the canals I went for the scenic route heading up to Stile Cop and across the Chase to Brocton. By the time I reached the trig point overlooking Rugeley I was warm enough to pack away the waterproof and continue in short sleeves.
Descending for Stile Cop you have to keep a lookout as it's one of the main mountain bike routes, with jumps and everything. There was a half-dozen guys there but we saw each other well in advance.
A fairly normal trip across the chase. There was a group of about 8 deer near Anson's Bank including some stags, one with a good set of antlers.
From Brocton it was across the fields (via footpath) to Walton-on-the-Hill, then down to the canal, joining between Baswich Bridge and Walton Bridge. From there it's the same route as a few weeks back.
It waited until I left the canal before the spots of rain started. I paused under the railway line to get the waterproof out again, but it really didn't rain properly until after I reached home.
Distance: 22.9 km (14.23 mi)
Average speed: 5.26 km/h (3.27 mph)
Soundtrack: Insurgentes, Lightbulb Sun, The Wall
Friday was either the last day of winter or the 20th day of spring depending on who you believe. It felt more spring-like than winter-like.
Rather than the easy route along the canals I went for the scenic route heading up to Stile Cop and across the Chase to Brocton. By the time I reached the trig point overlooking Rugeley I was warm enough to pack away the waterproof and continue in short sleeves.
Descending for Stile Cop you have to keep a lookout as it's one of the main mountain bike routes, with jumps and everything. There was a half-dozen guys there but we saw each other well in advance.
A fairly normal trip across the chase. There was a group of about 8 deer near Anson's Bank including some stags, one with a good set of antlers.
From Brocton it was across the fields (via footpath) to Walton-on-the-Hill, then down to the canal, joining between Baswich Bridge and Walton Bridge. From there it's the same route as a few weeks back.
It waited until I left the canal before the spots of rain started. I paused under the railway line to get the waterproof out again, but it really didn't rain properly until after I reached home.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Another Sunday on the Chase
Time: 3 hours, 14 minutes
Distance: 16.7 km (10.38 mi)
Average speed: 5.15 km/h (3.21 mph)
Started a little later than usual, I didn't get to Chase Road Corner until twenty past eight. I was the third car there and as I was putting my boots on I could see the cyclists going past.
The route was a typical pick-a-direction-and-keep-wandering-until-it's-time-to-head-back-to-the-car one. I headed off past the German cemetary then on towards Brindley Heath. There was lots of dogs barking around near Broadhurst Green, so I guess the dog sledders were out in force, although I didn't actually see them. On Brindley Heath itself was where it started to become populated.
I went around Brindley Heath, then past the Visitor Centre (lots of cars parked) and on up to Fairoak Lodge. Across to Penkridge Bank then past the Rifle Range buildings, where the cadets were on parade. I followed the ridge overlooking the Sherbrook Valley (cold wind!), then down into the valley itself to come to the Stepping Stones. There was a large group of grey-haired walkers sipping from their thermos's at the picnic table.
Up Coppice Hill, then back to the car park.
The weather has picked up these last two weeks. No need for hat or gloves, and it was quite mild when out of the wind. When exposed, however, it was definitely one of those lazy winds.
I didn't take the pedometer on that trip, although now I wish I had. I'd liked to have compare the distance as I don't think the GPS credits me with the distance going up and down, I think it just logs it as the crow flies.
Maybe I should find somewhere to post the .gpx file.
Distance: 16.7 km (10.38 mi)
Average speed: 5.15 km/h (3.21 mph)
Started a little later than usual, I didn't get to Chase Road Corner until twenty past eight. I was the third car there and as I was putting my boots on I could see the cyclists going past.
The route was a typical pick-a-direction-and-keep-wandering-until-it's-time-to-head-back-to-the-car one. I headed off past the German cemetary then on towards Brindley Heath. There was lots of dogs barking around near Broadhurst Green, so I guess the dog sledders were out in force, although I didn't actually see them. On Brindley Heath itself was where it started to become populated.
I went around Brindley Heath, then past the Visitor Centre (lots of cars parked) and on up to Fairoak Lodge. Across to Penkridge Bank then past the Rifle Range buildings, where the cadets were on parade. I followed the ridge overlooking the Sherbrook Valley (cold wind!), then down into the valley itself to come to the Stepping Stones. There was a large group of grey-haired walkers sipping from their thermos's at the picnic table.
Up Coppice Hill, then back to the car park.
The weather has picked up these last two weeks. No need for hat or gloves, and it was quite mild when out of the wind. When exposed, however, it was definitely one of those lazy winds.
I didn't take the pedometer on that trip, although now I wish I had. I'd liked to have compare the distance as I don't think the GPS credits me with the distance going up and down, I think it just logs it as the crow flies.
Maybe I should find somewhere to post the .gpx file.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
A Snowy Morning on Cannock Chase
Pedometer says: 10.07 miles in 3 hours 1 minute
Average speed: 3.34 mph
When I looked outsite this morning, the snow came as a bit of a suprise. I hadn't bothered with the weather forecast last night and their predictions of when it will snow and how hard haven't been all that accurate anyway. The local council hadn't been expecting snow either as all the roads were untreated until I got to the Lichfield Road. On the way, there was more evidence that the weather has ADD: the snow on the ground turning to slush at the same time as it starts to snow agin.
The road through Cannock Chase was, unsurpisingly, untreated. I decided not to go for my usual start at Chase Road Corner but instead parked at Bednal Belt.
Bednal Belt car park
I set off on foot for Chase Road corner, thinking as the snow fell that it might be a good idea to turn around and go home. In the first half hour I saw one cyclist and no footprints. Going across Brocton Field I found the path I'd picked was a layer of snow on a thin layer of ice above a puddle. For 40m.
Brocton Field near Chase Road Corner
I headed down into the Sherbrook Valley as the weather cleared up and the cyclists and runners all started to appear.
The route I ended up following was roughly one I use a lot, slightly exteded by the fact I parked at Bednal Belt instead of Chase Road Corner. Along the Sherbrook to the Stepping Stones, then across to Seven Spring and up Abraham's Valley past the shooting butt to Rifle Range corner.
Heading back
As usual it was mostly mountain bikers out that early, with a half-dozen runners and the same number of walkers.
I notice the bit on my £5 pedometer that hooks onto my belt is fracturing, thus perfectly justifying the purchase of a GPS...
Average speed: 3.34 mph
When I looked outsite this morning, the snow came as a bit of a suprise. I hadn't bothered with the weather forecast last night and their predictions of when it will snow and how hard haven't been all that accurate anyway. The local council hadn't been expecting snow either as all the roads were untreated until I got to the Lichfield Road. On the way, there was more evidence that the weather has ADD: the snow on the ground turning to slush at the same time as it starts to snow agin.
The road through Cannock Chase was, unsurpisingly, untreated. I decided not to go for my usual start at Chase Road Corner but instead parked at Bednal Belt.
Bednal Belt car park
Brocton Field near Chase Road Corner
I headed down into the Sherbrook Valley as the weather cleared up and the cyclists and runners all started to appear.
The route I ended up following was roughly one I use a lot, slightly exteded by the fact I parked at Bednal Belt instead of Chase Road Corner. Along the Sherbrook to the Stepping Stones, then across to Seven Spring and up Abraham's Valley past the shooting butt to Rifle Range corner.
Heading backAs usual it was mostly mountain bikers out that early, with a half-dozen runners and the same number of walkers.
I notice the bit on my £5 pedometer that hooks onto my belt is fracturing, thus perfectly justifying the purchase of a GPS...
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