King's Heath

Fifteen riders on the last outing of the year.  Following a longish delay caused by a puncture in the park between Yardley Wood Road and Trittiford Road, the planned destination of Digbeth was changed to King's Heath, via Moseley Bog.  

Weather milder than it has been recently - no frost or concerns about ice - but dull and damp.

The route is here.

Christmas Eve run to Barnes Hill

Nine riders out on a cold and windy morning but it managed to stay dry.  We went exploring in Kitwell Green which involved crossing a stream by stepping stones before we reached Senneleys Park and Asda for coffee and mince pies.  The return was via Bournebrook way and Selly Oak park.  The route is here

Cotteridge Village Inn for Christmas Lunch

16 riders out on a cold but bright morning for a pre-lunch ride to Cannon Hill Park.  Then a gentle ride on the River Rea route to the Cotteridge Village Inn where a further 10 joined us for lunch.  The route is here

John Tourt, wearing a full Santa outfit, took these atmospheric pictures in Cannon Hill and Calthorpe parks, which illustrate John B's comment that "Calthorpe park could have been Windsor Great Park - it looked idyllic".  Thanks to John B for the picture of the lunch.

QE Hospital

18 out on a mild damp day via a new route going through Weoley Hill Park and Grove park to the QE Hospital.  Returning via the canal using the new steps at University Station. Route is here

Waseley Hills

Seventeen riders led by John P to Waseley Hill.  Weather cold and dry.

The route is here.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Twenty riders, led by John P, to Asda, Barnes Hill.  Cold dry day.  

Many thanks to John and Kevin for dealing with two front wheel punctures, which both happened in the same area of Manor Farm Park.

The route is here.

City centre

Cold, bright and frosty morning, with slippery patches on roads and paths.  John P led eight riders on a safe route via the towpath to the city centre, back via Harborne walkway - by which time the frost had disappeared.

The route is here.

Maypole

An enjoyable ride on a damp morning.  Eight riders led by John Bennett to Sainsbury's at the Maypole, back along the towpath.  A persistent drizzle on the way out, drier on the way back, but quite mild.  We were all glad we made the effort to turn out.

The route is here.  

Woodgate Valley

An impressive turnout - 26 riders - on a cold day.  John P led to Woodgate Valley, and John B led the return trip via a slightly different route from usual.

The route is here, and here's a photo from John B of the ride through Woodgate Valley Country Park.  Thanks to John T for more photos of the ride, which appear under the "gallery" tab.

City centre

Twenty riders led by John P to the city centre, via Harborne and the Wolverhampton canal towpath. Back via the towpath to Bournville.  Weather mild and damp.

The route is here.

Five Ways Morrisons

19 riders out on a cold misty morning led by Steve on an interesting route via Muntz Park, Selly Park, University and the Calthorpe Estate to Morrisons at Five Ways, returning through Lee Bank and part of the River Rea route and Stirchley Park.  A ride of 13 miles.

Thanks to John T for recording the route, which is here.

Cannon Hill Park

A fine autumn day.  Twenty-three riders led by John Bennett on an interesting ride via Harborne churchyard and the university to the café in Cannon Hill Park.  Back via the Rea Valley route. 

The route is here.

Café at the Old Mill, Northfield

Two groups today, one led by Alan Drabble, the other by John Bennett, a total of 27 riders.  The groups took slightly different routes, met at the café and took slightly different routes back to Rowheath.

The route followed by John's group is here.

Thanks to John T for recording the route followed by Alan's group, which is here.

Christmas Lunch 17 December 2016

We are again having a Christmas lunch at the Cotteridge Inn on Saturday 17 December.  Please see Sandra Waldron for details.

Earlswood longer ride

Only 6 riders (including John T who led the ride) (Louise, Phil, Sarah, Rose, and Richard).

The rain was terrible - although not quite as bad as on the ride John P led to Tardebigge a few weeks back - but it never stopped!  Despite the really nasty weather, I think everybody thought it was a good ride.  Roads good - surfaces good, not too busy and no real hills.  People said we should do it again one Saturday next spring - when the sun will be shining!  The route is here

The shorter ride was led by John B with 11 riders to Kings Heath Park.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Seventeen riders led by John Bennett to Asda, Barnes Hill.

The route is here.

Gaudet Luce golf club

Eleven riders.  Despite changing the route to avoid puncture hazards from recent hedge cutting, two riders had flat tyres.  We were also held up when two riders took a wrong turning.  Fortunately we met them again some time later, after some less-than-straightforward mobile phone contact.

Weather fine and warm.

The route is here.   

Waseley Hills

Twenty-six riders led by John Porter to Waseley Hills.  Weather cool and dry.

The route is here.

Cannon HIll park

Thirteen riders, led by John Tourt, via Northfield, Bournville, Selly Oak Park, the Q.E and University and Oakfield Road to Cannon Hill Park - where there was a charity fun run taking place - and then back to Bournville via the Rea Valley route. 

The route is here

Two rides today

both disrupted by continuous heavy rain:

(i)  The destination for the longer ride was changed from Stoke Prior to Tardebigge, and, as the rain showed no sign of letting up, we returned by the same route.  Six riders led by John Porter.

The route is here.

(ii)  18 riders on a ride to QEHB via Weoley Castle.  Very wet on the shortest way back home and at least four riders cut short before coffee because of the weather.

Baptist church café, Kings Heath

Nineteen riders, led by Alan, to the café at the Baptist church in Kings Heath.

Alcester

A group of five, led by John B, to Alcester, with a coffee stop at Earlswood and lunch in a pub garden in Alcester.   Weather breezy at times but warm and pleasant.  

For the last part of the return trip we caught the train from Redditch, a useful half-hourly service on Sundays.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's Longbridge

A small turnout this morning, following a forecast of high winds and rain.  John T led six riders on a short and easy route to Sainsbury's via the Rea Valley route.  In fact, although blustery, the weather was warm and dry - see photos below.

Thanks to John for recording the route, which is here, and for taking the pictures. 

City centre

Twenty riders led by John Bennett.  Our last chance to ride the towpath all the way in to town before work begins on 18th August to improve access from the towpath to University station.  The stretch from The Dingle to Somerset Road will be closed from 18th August. The work is due to be completed on 17th November.

Today's route is here.

Two rides today

(i)  Sue led 15 riders to Knowle, where we had coffee and cakes at Cobbles in the Guild House next to the parish church.  A lovely day for an enjoyable and interesting longer ride, by routes which were new to come of us.  Thanks to Paul for putting a new inner tube in Sarah's back wheel, when the tyre was found to be flat after the coffee break.  

The route is here.

(ii)  Fifteen more riders joined the weekly Saturday ride, to Kings Heath  Park via Highbury.

Woodgate Valley

Our biggest turnout yet - 34 riders.  We split into two groups, led by John B and John P, arriving at Woodgate Valley at about the same time, though by slightly different routes.

The route (John P's group) is here.

Alvechurch Fisheries

25 riders started on a hot sunny day, going via Wast Hills and Hopwood, where we unexpectedly met Rose, who had missed her train from Alvechurch and was out for a ride.  
Four new members joined us today. 

The route is here.

Maypole

A warm day and another large turnout.  John Porter led 23 riders to Sainsbury's at Maypole.    

The route is here.

Sutton Park

John Tourt led a group of eleven riders on an interesting and scenic ride to Sutton Park, much of it on towpaths and through parks. Three riders returned by train from Sutton Coldfield.  There were two punctures, both in the same tyre, which were efficiently mended.  Unfortunately it was not possible to fix JT's chain when it broke on the canal towpath, luckily on the way home and within reasonable distance of city centre stations.  

Weather mostly cloudy but warm, with only one sharp but very short shower at the end of the day.  

The route is here.  

Tour of parks

John Bennett led 22 riders on a trip which took in Rowheath, Cotteridge, Stirchley, Manor Farm and Victoria Parks, with a café stop at Sainsbury's in Northfield.

  
The route is here.

2nd July 2016

Two rides today

(i)  Ten riders on a cool and windy day made our way via the River Rea route to Waseley.  Luckily we were in the cafe when we had a short shower.  The route is here

(ii)  A group of 13 led by John Tourt and Richard went to the Arrow Valley country park in Redditch, with a refreshment stop on the way at the needle museum.  Cool and windy, but we managed to avoid showers, 

The route is here. 

Moseley Bog and King's Heath

Twenty-two riders led by John Bennett via the Stratford Canal and part of the Cole Valley route through Moseley Bog to a coffee stop at the café at the community centre at All Saints church in King's Heath.  We had to shelter under trees during a sharp shower at Trittiford, but otherwise the weather was reasonable.

The route is here.

Stratford

Eight riders turned up at Rowheath for the 9.30 start for the all day run to Stratford. Cloudy but dry day.  Elevenses was taken at Studley Garden Centre at Mappleborough Green, after which two riders returned home.  Lunch was taken at The Limes at Stratford. We got back by 4.00 p.m. which was just as well as it had started to rain.  

The route is here

Beckett's Island

20 riders set off on an overcast day led by Richard to Beckett's Island near Wythall, a  new venue for the BGC Group. Unfortunately Steve had a spoke break near the Man on The Moon pub and he went home from there. 

As it was Bike week, John Bennett and John Tourt manned a stand at Rowheath for any new potential member queries. Several people expressed interest. 

The route is here.

Morrison's, Five Ways

Twenty-six riders on an interesting ride led by John Bennett to Morrison's at Five Ways. The weather was dullish, but warm and, apart from very slight drizzle early on, dry.

The route is here.

Liveridge Hill

Two rides today:

(i)  John and Hilary led fourteen riders on the monthly longer ride, a mostly flat route to the Olde Pounde Café, Liveridge Hill, near Henley-in-Arden.  Slightly hillier on the return. Weather dull but dry and mild.

The route is here.

(ii)  Fourteen riders were led by John Bennett via Hawkesley and Icknield Street and the pleasant quiet country lanes south of Walkers Heath to the Maypole.  Back via the picturesque Brandwood End Cemetery and the Rea Valley route to Stirchley and Bournville.  Warm dry weather.

  

City centre via towpath

City centre via towpath, back via Harborne walkway.

Thanks to Rose for recording the route, which is here

Waseley Hills

Sixteen riders on a damp and blustery outing to Waseley Hills.

Thanks to John Tourt, who saved the day with a new inner tube after a mended puncture didn't get Joy all the way home.  

The route is here.

Warwick

A very successful longer ride to Warwick, led by John Bennett.  Six started at Rowheath, three at Maypole, two more at the coffee stop at Wedge's bakery, and eight cycled back to Birmingham from Warwick.  Everyone did very well, including some for whom it was their longest ride yet.

It was a well-planned route, which avoided hills where possible and explored some interesting byways, including a track to Baddesley Clinton church (which involved some heavy lifting when the gate at the end was found to be chained) and a useful route under the motorway on the way back.  We also tried out the newly surfaced towpath in the Brandwood area, and the far from newly surfaced towpath beside Hatton locks which was dry but very rough.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley country park

23 riders led by John Porter to Woodgate Valley country park.

The route is here.

Chaddesley Corbett

A longer ride, led by John and Hilary Porter.  John had warned in advance that his route would be hilly, which it was, but it was well-chosen and all nine riders managed very well. We all walked up Winwood Heath Road (where the Beacon RCC hill climb competition is held), admiring the bluebells in the woods either side.  Congratulations to Joy for staying longest on her bike as we went up the hill.

The route is here. 

Twenty riders went on the normal ride, led by John Bennett, to Moor Pool, Harborne, with a coffee break at the QE hospital.

Asda, Barnes Hill

John Bennett led 22 riders via an interesting and intricate route, much of which was new to many of us, to Asda on Barnes Hill.  

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm, Lydiate Ash

Twenty riders led by Richard on a bright cold day to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash.

The route is here.

Jinney Ring

Richard led nine riders, including two new riders (who did very well on this longer distance), on a well researched and organised ride to the Jinney Ring.  The route is here.

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Baptist Church, King's Heath

Alan led a ride to the Baptist Church in King's Heath.

Maypole

Twenty-four riders, in two groups, taking slightly different routes to Maypole on a bright cold day.  The two groups rode together on the return trip.  

The route is here.

Cole Valley and Cannon Hill Park

Wet morning, but forecast was for it to improve, which it did by mid-morning.  Only four out on the usual gentle ride which went via the canal to Cannon Hill Park and back along the River Rea route.  The route is here.

Seven riders on the longer ride, which was taken by John Bennett and went to the Cole Valley.

John reports:

We did 33 miles.  After a wet start, the weather improved before our coffee at Asda in Small Heath.  A good ride all the way to Babb's Mill before returning via JLR Lode Lane (more coffee) and the canal.  Final rest stop in CHP.  Back 3.15pm. Must mention Colin who after only 8 weeks returning to cycling did it all. 

Thanks to Rose for recording the route, which is here.

Cole Valley ride, 2nd April 2016 

Digbeth

On a grey damp morning, 13 riders went via the Worcester canal to the Vale Bridge, into Edgbaston through Calthorpe Park, following cycle route to the Cozy Cafe Digbeth, returning via Cannon Hill Park and the River Rea route to Stirchley. The route is here

Woodgate Valley Country Park

25 riders out on a cold grey morning.  Its now three years since the formation of this friendly cycling group and it is good to note that our numbers are growing even when the weather is not very inviting.  This week we welcomed four new riders to the group.  The route is here

Five Ways

24 riders out on a sunny day going via the Harborne Walkway to Edgbaston Reservoir and then onto Morrisons Five ways for coffee. One rider left to get back earlier and the assumed return route is here

Two rides

(i)  twelve riders led by Sue on a longer ride to Knowle

(ii)  five riders led by John Bennett to the café at M&S at Longbridge.  The route was via Merritts Brook/ ROH/ Victoria Common / Northfield station/Turves Green/Fairfax Road/Longbridge Lane. The return trip was via Colmers School /Rea path to Hollymoor hospital/Borrowdale Road /Ley Hill/Merritts Brook.

QE via Edgbaston

21 out on a very cold but dry morning.  Coffee at the QE hospital via the University and Edgbaston.  The route is here

Waseley Visitors Centre

19 riders out on a cloudy but dry day, quite  cold and windy.  John B was out on his new orange bike!  The route is here

Two rides

John and Hilary led a group of ten to Wedges Bakery, Earlswood, on the first of a monthly series of longer rides.  Weather was dry, but bitterly cold.

The route is here.

On the normal shorter Saturday ride, John Bennett led seven riders on a cold but enjoyable ride to the Maypole via Brandwood cemetery.  Thanks to John Tourt for mapping the route, which is here. 

Cannon Hill Park

After meeting in the cafe at Rowheath on a very wet morning nine riders braved the weather and headed down the River Rea route to Cannon Hill Park.  As the rain had diminished slightly when we came out of the cafe it was decided to return via Edgbaston and the canal.  The route is here

Saturday 13 February 2016

As the longer ride to Earlswood/Illshaw Heath was cancelled because of the weather, it will now take place next Saturday 13 February starting at 9.30 am. for a steady ride aiming to get back by 1.30 pm.  the route is here

The usual gentle ride will leave at 10.00 a.m.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Twenty-three riders on a cold breezy day to Asda, Barnes Hill via Bartley Green reservoir and Senneleys Park.   

The route is here.

QE Hospital via Harborne

23 Riders out on a cloudy but dry ride.  Fairly hilly circuitous route to the QE Hospital using many varied cut through paths.  Return via University and River Rea.  The route is here

Saturday 23 January

Meet as usual at 10.00 am at Rowheath Pavilion.  Destination to be decided.

Gas Street Basin

12 riders out on a cold and frosty morning but sunny.  Went down the canal to Gas Street basin and returned the same way in view of the conditions. The route is here

Saturday 16th January

Normal ride.  Meet at Rowheath at 10.00.

We must always consider cancelling if the weather is frosty, snowy, or otherwise unsafe.  If in doubt, you can always contact John Bennett on 0121 459 9319 or alternatively John Porter on 0121 477 2156 or 0791 3803375 between 8 and 9.30 am on the day.

On Saturday 6th February, in addition to the normal 10.00 ride, there will be a ‘longer ride’ starting at 9.30. 

In March Sunday monthly longer rides will commence, starting from Rowheath Pavilion at 9.30.  Date to be confirmed.

Bike maintenance

Many thanks to John Porter and John Bennett for today's useful and well-attended (23 people) bike maintenance session, which replaced the usual ride.  Thanks also to Sue for delicious homemade vegan flapjacks for the coffee break. 

Morrison's, Rubery

John Bennett led ten riders on a route to inspect parts of the Rea Valley route, with a view to contributing to a Birmingham City Council consultation on proposals for refurbishment.  The online survey is here.  Anyone can submit a response.

The route of today's ride is here.