Nartional Cycling Show NEC Birmingham 2024

My first time at the National Cycling show. I was really looking forward to the event as well. I have very much got into cycling in the last few years. The National Cycling Show is an for cycling lovers regardless of how fast or how far they go.We were hoping to be their for the start of the guest speakers at 9:45. We just about made it although the traffic was very busy as we approached the NEC in Birmingham. Several events on today including The Gardeners World Live show. 

First Guest Speaker was the incredible Mark Beaumont. Mark is a long distance cyclist who holds the world record for cycling around the world. Completing his 18,000-mile (29,000 km) route in less than 79 days! Setting out at 3:30 each morning and completing 240 miles rain or shine. Amongst many other amazing achievements he has also cycled the Americas. From Anchorage in Alaska to the tip of Southern Argentina. The importance of dedication, resilience and discipline came across very strongly. 

 

With Mark Beaumont

Another Speaker we very much wanted to see was Olympian Jo Rowsell.

Jo won Gold Medals in the Women's Pursuit Team at the London Olympic Game in 2012 and Rio in 2016. As well as five World Championship titles, four in the Team Pursuit and one in the Individual pursuit. 

She spoke about not being a natural cyclist while she was at school. How it was one of those 'Sliding Doors' moments that she fell into the cycling world. At school she was more at home in the pool or running. One particular day she had a choice of 'double maths' or a trial for the Cycling Team. She modestly said that she wasn't even the best at the school. But the National selection team saw something in her that they could work with. The rest is history as they say.

It was great to meet up with them both afterwards. Hopefully I have picked up a few tips too?

 

 

There really was was something for everyone. Stunt Riders,workshops, and anything else even remotely connected to cycling. A really enjoyable day out , and one that will be a regular date on my calendar.

The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Fladbury, Wyre Piddle, Pershore & Cropthorne (20)

It has amazingly been around 11 months since we last ventured along the 'Shakespeare's Avon Way'. A long walk of us ahead of us today from our starting point at Fladbury. Happy memories of walking here last time when the village Fete was taking place. Looking at the map it seems like we will be crossing the River Avon at least four times. We are walking in an anti-clockwise direction today towards Wyre Piddle. On what is the 'preantepenultimate' walk on The SAW (Three before the end or fourth last).

The nearby fields are busy with the Veg pickers in their high vis jackets, Spring Onions by the looks of things. It's a lovely day for walking as we pass through a very well maintained Holiday Park. Beautiful lakes and paths sympathetic to wildlife and insects. We are also on the Wychavon Way. A 40 miles / 67 kilometres. A route that begins in the town of Droitwich Spa and ends in Broadway. Throughout the course of this route, you will pass by rolling hills, valleys, rivers, meadows, forests, and farmlands. It was created in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. It was then relaunched in 2012 to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, with substantial route changes.

We hadn't been going very long before disaster struck. A fly flew straight into my eye, not a disaster you might think? Previous experiences have taught me otherwise. Within seconds the eye was starting to close up, and swell on the outside. Not the best of starts. My walking companion need an urgent 'comfort break' too, only one thing for it , stop at the nearest pub. A case of needs must , if ever there was one.

 

'The Anchor' Wyre Piddle

The Anchor in Wyre Piddle let us in , as long as we kept the two dogs with us today under close control. My companion disappeared quickly....Leaving me with my one good eye, to try and navigate the the three tiered decking , two drinks and two dogs. If I look hacked off in the photo it is because I am. A black eye effect is quickly forming. The views along the Avon are very good though , at least those I can see. By some cruel trick my phone has gone completely dark. The brightness has gone to 0%..... Well, I do like a challenge. What can go wrong next?

 

The River Avon

We are now up close and personal with the River Avon as we head towards Pershore. Current River levels are 3.26m which is slightly below normal for this location. The usual range of the River Avon at Pershore is between 3.36m and 3.61m.The highest level ever recorded at the River Avon at Pershore is 6.07m, reached on Saturday 21st July 2007 at 5:00pm.Some interesting facts for you there. In the distance amongst the trees the spire of Pershore Abbey comes into view. 

Pershore Abbey

A slight detour is made in the Georgian market town of Pershore. It would have been a shame not to see the most famous sight 'Pershore Abbey' . A quick eye update , It is still closed up and looks like I've been punched. Eye contact being avoided currently. This former Anglo- Saxon Abbey is now an Anglican Parish Church 'The Church of the Holy Cross'. founded in 689AD by King Oswald. Later, in 972AD, a charter was granted by King Edgar. Most of the Abbey’s architecture is from the 13th century and today it is dominated by the tall pinnacled tower.It is set amongst beautiful countryside with great views towards the Bredon Hills. Further away the imposing Malvern Hills provide an imposing backdrop.

We cut back on to the busy High St making our way towards the famous Old Pershore Bridge on the edge of town. The original Bridge was built in the 15th Century by Monks from the Abbey.. It got damaged during the English Civil War and was re-built in the 17th Century. Just before you get to the Bridge is the Victorian Toll House which is full of character. Dating to c1860, it is now a private residence.

 

 

The Old Bridge Pershore

Pershore bridge is Listed Grade II. We follow the Shakespeare's Avon Way away from Pershore towards open countryside and Goodleigh Hill. The pollen count is incredibly strong today. As we walk through the fields you can see it rising like dust.  I'm sneezing well and must have cursed a hundred times at least for not bringing my sunglasses....We are right in the shadow of the Bredon Hills now. The next walk on this journey will see us walking the ridge across the top which I'm really looking forward too. 

The Bredon Hills

This is definitely the most picturesque part of the walk. There are some lovely stretches of the River Avon and some beautiful houses. We are approaching the Combertons (Great & Little). The area was inhabited from prehistoric times, with Iron Age and Roman remains found locally.Near neighbour 'Little Comberton' is actually somewhat the bigger of the two. The area was inhabited from prehistoric times, with Iron Age and Roman remains found locally. There have been Roman coins and artefacts found in the village and the church, which is originally 12th century, and is thought to stand on the site of a Roman temple.    

 

 

 

This beautiful  old house on the left dates back to the 16th Century. It looks right out of' 'The Darling Buds of May '. The lady owner tells us that it was left to her in a will by the previous owner. As you might expect it is very high maintenance.

Next stop is the village of Cropthorne. 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Worcester. Its ancient orchards sweep down to the river and offer yet more clear, unbroken views across the vale to the Malvern Hills. St Michael's Church dates back to the 12th century. The church is a Grade I listed building. Our starting point the village of Fladbury is located on the opposite bank of the river. Once again we cross our old friend from the last visit the 'Jubilee Bridge'.The fields that day were full of cars for the village festival. Today they are all overgrown, but very pretty none the less. Definitely one of the best walks so far on The Shakespeare's Avon Way.More miles walked too, a total of 15.5 miles (27,466 steps). Unfortunately the eye injury hasn't improved. I'm looking forward to an Optrex Eye Bath treatment when I get home!

Winwick, Yelvertoft Marina, Elkington & Honey Hill Walk

 

One of my favourite places for a walk is the sleepy village of Winwick, in West Northamptonshire. I'm in the company of an old friend of 50 years standing today. Also coming along is 'Archie'  a four legged friend who I'm looking after today. The plan today was to leave the village and join the canal towpath heading north. Things didn't quite work out as planned though. We had no problem getting canalside. Unfortunately we were so busy chatting we didn't pay too much attention to the direction we were heading. It was only when we saw signs for 'Yelvertoft Marina' that the penny dropped...It was going to be a longer walk than first anticipated. I very much believe in following the path that feels right. Quite often I do end up getting temporarily lost on occasions. A quick look at the O/S and a new route was plotted. 

Grand Union Canal

A mother Duck (Hen) sits proudly protecting a brood or raft of young Ducklings.  

Even then things were far from straightforward. Actually finding the village of Yelvertoft proved something of a challenge. My idea of leaving the canal and going across the fields wasn't the best. The field was actually a marsh and very soggy underfoot. Not to mention getting stung and bitten into the bargain. Yelvertoft we did make though! we crossed the High Street, which follows the course of an ancient Portway known as Salters Way.Following the lane next to the local pub we picked up the footpath that would take us to our original destination of 'Elkington'. This proved far from straight forward as half way across I realised I had lost my drinks bottle. As it was newly  acquired , a gift from Mrs A to encourage me to drink more fluids, I felt duty bound to track it down. After retracing our steps 'said bottle' was found. It was then I realised I had a hole in my rucksack when it fell out again...

Views from Honey Hill

The walking gets progressively harder as we begin the ascent of Honey Hill. There are great views from the top and on a clear day you can see 5 counties. We are on The Jurassic Way, we pass the standing stone that commemorates the long distance path. The 88 mile path was opened in September 1994. 

 

The First UK 'Trig Pillar'

On reaching the top we are in search of even greater 'treasure.' We head along the road to Cold Ashby to try and find the first ever Trig Pillar/Point created in the UK.According to the map it is just off the road. A bit of research tells us it is now on private land. A short detour and we strike gold! In all fairness we did ring the mobile number on the gate of a drive leading to a farm. As there was no rely we proceeded with caution. about 20 yard in on the left hand side we spotted it. We didn't hang about though, farmers tend to have big dogs , and guns..It was first used on 18th April 1936. The start of the "re-triangulation of Great Britain More than 6,500 trig pillars were built across the country and used for the re-triangulation between April 18, 1936, and June 4, 1962, when the trig pillar at Thorney Gale, Westmorland, was used for the final calculation. A mathematical process that makes accurate map-making possible. It works by determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline and, in this case, 6,500 trig pillars. 

Cold Ashby Golf Club on our left

 

 

 

 

We enjoy one final view of the spectacular scenery from the top of Honey Hill.  A sign tells us that 39 wine turbines are visible. We male our way back on the other side of The Jurassic Way with Cold Ashby Golf Course on our left and in the distance. The Farmer has made a real effort in keeping the footpath clear and obvious.

It is a case then of following other well marked tracks back to the village of Winwick. There is a lovely pond and picnic area where we parked up. Great to see Mark again and look forward to getting out again soon. 

In total 12.17 miles walked. 27524 Steps.