Lichfield Rides - FAO Richard Bates... and the best lane in the UK too!

jim

Richard,

nice to read about your Lichfield ride, and nice photo too.

I lived in Lichfield from 1984 - 1997. It was in Lichfield that I discovered
the joys of cycling in 1989 as a pafe faced youth, and have never looked
back.

When I first started cycling I went out towards Whittington a lot, and on to
Elford and No Mans Heath. They're alright as places to go, but then I
discovered what I think must be the most beautiful lane in the UK. Obviously
that is a bit OTT, since I haven't seen all the lanes in the UK, but
anyway...

If you're coming along Eastern Avenue and go past the Friary School on your
right, and come to the T-Junction, and then take a left (instead of a right
for Rugelely), you go past the Hedgehog pub and go down the A51 for a short
way and then take the next right you'll be on Cross In Hand Lane.

The lane feels so ancient, buried it seems about 20 feet below the level of
the fields on either side. Huge banks of vegetation, a feeling of going back
in time, the smell of plants and earth, a gentle slope, I can't put into
words how much I love that lane!

Then you're into some wonderful cycling country, with the edge of Cannock
Chase, lots of lovely undulating lanes, and Chorley, Farewell, Cannock Wood,
Gentleshaw etc. etc. at your feet.

I moved to Cheshire, which is still pleasant, but when I think I used to get
to Cross in Hand lane within 10 minutes of home I realise how spoilt I was.

The other ride I completely loved from home in Lichfield was going on a
trawl from Lichfield up the A51 towards Rugeley. Then when you get near
Rugeley take a left in Brereton (just by a pub called the Cedar (and a big
Cedar tree)) onto a road called Coal Pit Lane. From here you have a
fantastic road taking you from Rugeley all the way into the heart of Cannock
Chase. It's not massively steep, but it is so nice to go through the
transition from Rugeley houses to pine forests.

So there you go, I have really enjoyed reminiscing about what an excellent
place Lichfield was / is to live for cycling.

Wishing any Lichfielders many happy hours in the saddle.

Jim
www.jimpix.co.uk

Tim Dunne

jim wrote:

(I hope you don't mind me butting in!)

> When I first started cycling I went out towards Whittington a lot,
> and on to Elford and No Mans Heath. They're alright as places to go,
> but then I discovered what I think must be the most beautiful lane in
> the UK. Obviously that is a bit OTT, since I haven't seen all the
> lanes in the UK, but anyway...

I think you're being a little harsh; I love that area, too. I particularly
like the area from Harlaston to No Mans heath, Lullington, Edingale,
Croxall, Coton in the Elms and Rosliston.

> If you're coming along Eastern Avenue and go past the Friary School
> on your right, and come to the T-Junction, and then take a left
> (instead of a right for Rugelely), you go past the Hedgehog pub and
> go down the A51 for a short way and then take the next right you'll
> be on Cross In Hand Lane.

A fine cycle route, I must say - but don't forget Abnalls Lane which is of
course, on NCR 5. Both lanes (they run broadly paralell) end up towards
Farewell, Chorley and Longdon, as you say, fine cycling country and country
I traverse often. If you're in the area, Farewell church is a delightful gem
in a pretty valley.

> The lane feels so ancient, buried it seems about 20 feet below the
> level of the fields on either side. Huge banks of vegetation, a
> feeling of going back in time, the smell of plants and earth, a
> gentle slope, I can't put into words how much I love that lane!

You've put it beautifully and there are some excellent hilly bits on the
way.

> Then you're into some wonderful cycling country, with the edge of
> Cannock Chase, lots of lovely undulating lanes, and Chorley,
> Farewell, Cannock Wood, Gentleshaw etc. etc. at your feet.

And if one travels north, Yoxall, the Ridwares, Hoar cross...

8<...

> The other ride I completely loved from home in Lichfield was going on
> a trawl from Lichfield up the A51 towards Rugeley. Then when you get
> near Rugeley take a left in Brereton (just by a pub called the Cedar
> (and a big Cedar tree)) onto a road called Coal Pit Lane. From here
> you have a fantastic road taking you from Rugeley all the way into
> the heart of Cannock Chase. It's not massively steep, but it is so
> nice to go through the transition from Rugeley houses to pine forests.

Not done that one, I'll give it a go, cheers.

> So there you go, I have really enjoyed reminiscing about what an
> excellent place Lichfield was / is to live for cycling.

Staffordshire is a most excellent county.

> Wishing any Lichfielders many happy hours in the saddle.

And to you.

Tim
--
Sent from Birmingham, UK... TimDunne at Blueyonder.co.uk
'Is justice just ice? Governed by greed and lust? Just the strong
doing what they can, and the weak suffering what they must?'
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Richard Bates

On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 20:28:45 GMT, "Tim Dunne"
<Bit_Bucket@Blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>A fine cycle route, I must say - but don't forget Abnalls Lane which is of

Which is the road I was *trying* to find, since it would have led me
into Burntwood ...
--
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you may also be interested in 'Garfield - The Movie'.
... erm, how do they figure that one out?