I live 16 miles north of my mate Will Shakespeare and 6 miles south of Britain's second largest city Birmingham. When I was a lad I used to cycle and walk everywhere. Having a bike really gave me a sense of independence as, if I wanted, I could explore the local countryside. However, when I got older cycling literally went by the wayside as other priorities took presidence over exploring the local country side.

Well, a little while ago I decided to electrify my Claud Butler Hybrid bike to make peddling easier and on Monday 27th of March I decided to go for a ride to a place called Ullenhall, which is quite close to Stratford Upon Avon.

What I loved most about my ride was seeing the countryside gradually stirring into life from the winter; the grass was very green and in the distance I could see sheep grazing in the fields. Oh the joy of it and how being in the country seeing such beauty all around lifted my soul and created a positive mood change. My mind then started to ponder my route home and the thought of cycling up Tom's Hill, a formidable climb that would take me to a pretty little village called Tamworth In Arden. The thought, " No gain without pain" then came to mide, was it worth the effort climbing up old Tom. Definitely.