So far 2026 has mostly been DIY for me, but managed to get the afternoon off with the boys to ride at Cannock Chase with Partho. After a wet start to the year we lucked out with a sunny afternoon, we rode a couple of laps of Perry’s trail, the blue graded trail at Cannock Chase – which has recently had some work done. It was running really well.

The boys were also riding really well, for the first lap Owen rode at the front with Partho, so I did not really see him, but I was told that he was riding fast. It is the first ride with a dropper post fitted to his Nukeproof Cub Scout and he is loving the bike. I rode at the back with Henry, who really impressed me, both with his confidence and speed. It was five months since we last rode there and he has made so much progress. Towards the end of the first lap he said he did not want to do any more, and that his legs were tired, but we got to the end of the loop and he was keen to go. Then he did not stop. Not even for a rest at the end of the sections, he led us out for most of the loop. Even declining any offers of a helping push up the hills. This motivated Owen to try a non stop lap for his third loop, with Partho, whilst I took Henry to the playground. Partho said that the pace was quick – they even lapped some people that we had overtaken on our second lap.

As the cafe at Birches Valley do such good cakes, we had to call in for some brownies after our ride, before setting off back home for pizza and watching Star Wars. Saturdays do not really get much better!