HS2 Cycle Path

Scrapped HS2 bike path 'five times better value than HS2 itself'

So, you drive to work, the ice and rain making the cycle option less attractive than usual!, listening to the impending doom on the radio of not reducing CO2 emissions, the fact that obesity, especially in the young, ought to be classed as a health epidemic, to then see that the proposed HS2 bike path, is to be scrapped! 

- Read more here 

Now, to me, it would not appear to be "rocket science" that the bike path could be massive in helping the two issues of emissions and obesity, and i can only see this as a massive opportunity missed.... looking at how to address would not seem easy, I have contacted our MP, HS2 and others, but get the feeling that this is one project that will be lost, saving, in the grand scheme, pennies, but letting pass an opportunity to improve health, reduce emissions and so much more to help all of our futures!

Just over ten years ago, I cycled across the Sinai Desert, rising funds for the British Heart Foundation, it was a great trip, one I often look back on, sleeping under the stars, climbing Mt Sinai to watch the sunrise........      

50 4 Fifty - 50 Gigs and 50 Ales

50 gigs... 50 ales... think these two could be my favourite challenges!

Some rules
Ales - Bottled or served in Pub (Beer Tent) (Canned do not count!)

Bands - Needs to be a "full" set, so if "support" or Festival Set, need to see the whole performance. (ie i cant just wonder round a Festival site seeing one or two songs!)  

Bands 
50 - Something Nasty in the Woodshed 
 - 23rd August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
49 - Steve Knightly       
- 23rd August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
48 - Afro Celt Sound System      
- 23rd August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
47 - David Gibb and Elly Lucas
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
46 - Eddie Reader (x 2 Two Sets)
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
45 - Martyn Joesph
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
44 - The Oysterband 
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
43 - Doyle and Debbie (Should i count these?)  (x 2 Two Sets)
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
42 - Lucy Ward (x 2 Two Sets)
- 25th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
41 - Jez Lowe
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
- 8th November 2013 - Lichfield Guildhall
40 - Sam Carter
- 24th August 2013 - Shrewsbury Folk Festival
39 - Mark Chadwick
- 11th October - The Vic Derby
38 - Show of Hands
- 4th December - Wulfren Hall Wolves  
37 - New Model Army 
- 14th December - Rock City - Nottingham
- 21st December - Cologne - Germany
36 - Levellers
- 21st December - Cologne - Germany
35 - Green Fortune
- 1st February 2014 - Hairy Dog Derby
34 - X Ray Eyes
- 1st February 2014 - Hairy Dog Derby
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Ales 
50 - Salopian Gold 3.8% "nice"                                             Salopian Brewery
49 - Salopian Golden Thread 5% "very nice"                         Salopian Brewery
48 - Stonehouse Station 3.9% "ok"                                       Stonehouse Brewery
47 - Moonshine 4.3%  "enjoyable"                                           Abbey Dale Brewery
46 - Joules Pale Ale                                                                 Joules Brewery
45 - Joules blonde                                                                   Joules Brewery
44 - Glaslyn 4.2% Very nice.. you could taste Snowdon!         Purple Moose Brewery
43 - Loblolly Bay  4.2% "ok"                                                   Woodstreet Brewery
42 - Hobsons Best Bitter 4.2% "nice"                                      Hobsons Brewery
41 - Double Hop 3.6% ..well its Joules its bond to be good!       Joules Brewery
40 - Jorvick Blonde 4.6% Enjoyed at the One Eyed Rat Rippon  Rudgate
39 -  Devonshire Cat Bitter 3.9% Very Nice Pint                         Devonshire Cat
38 - Stairway to Heaven 5.0% Nice, but is a Burton Bridge ale!       Burton Bridge Brewery
37 - Roar! 4.6% a nice beer at the Wagon & Horses Halesowen   XT Brewing - Animal
36 - Twitchwll 3.8% "a golden fruity bitter with a floral aroma"           Buntingford Brewery
35 - Alchemist 4.9% on the dark side but a nice pint                          Olde Swan Brewery
34 - HPA 4.0% Enjoyed this one! (Somers WMC)                            Wye Valley Brewery
33 - Island Hopping 3.9%  Another nice one!
American Citra and NZ Nelson Sauvin dominate this incredibly drinkable hoppy pale beer.
32 - Pitman Pale 4.5% Fresh, fruity hops, nice                                Burton Bridge Brewery
Endeavour & Progress hops, enjoyed at our favorite, the "Duke" 
31 - Slumbering Monk                                                                   Joules Brewery
30 - 28 at Lichfield Winter Beer Festival
- 30 Odins Horn 4.1% Nice golden ale.            
- 29 Orange Blossom Special Ale 4.4%
 -29a Hop Angeles 4.8%
- 28 Ruck & Roll 4.0%
- 28a Nettlethrasher 4.4%
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Martyn Joseph
MMartyn Josephartyn Joseph

Commuting 22nd March

So its Monday, now less than one week to the Cheshire Cat, although a good ride just short of 50 miles yesterday, it has confirmed to me that the 70 mile option is the one, espeacally as I may not be able to get and sign on Saturday afternoon, and therefore I would guess, leaving the early start times all gone. Yesterdays ride took in Burton, Ashby and Tamworth and although starting in the fog the sun was well and truly up and out by the time I roll home.


Mondays ride in was a little windy with gusts from all directions, "going home could be fun", but am hopeful that the lights can now be cleaned and put away until next season or maybe the odd night ride over the "Chase". As I thought Mondays ride back was fully into the wind and so a slow one.......... late for tea! Tuesday and the frost back, still at least on the bike you dont need to scrape the windows!, half way in and sunglass out, a nice morning ride despite the cold, the evening ride home was wind aided so a pleasure. A steady 30mph along the "bypass" had a lorry "stuck" behind me, but was a great pull along as we hit the 40 zone and he went passed, my legs giving up the chase after holding 35mph for a short distance!

Thursday was damp, but the sun promised to get through the clouds. There are more riders on my route now, all in the opposite direction, I can count 6 regulars and a few who make the occaisonal journey. Riding home looked like it was going to wet, but once on the road the a good tailwind more than made up for the dampness!, and home in no time.

Sunday see`s the Cheshire Cat, an early start due the clocks going forward, good excuse for a lazy day tomorrow..... I wish, but will make some "MG" time as have entered the owners Club Kimber run on 20th June, some 80 miles through Derbyshire starting from Chatsworth House, so have some TLC to provide!