Costa Coffee, city centre

Weather unexpectedly mild after ice and snow in the past few days.  Nine riders led by John B to Costa Coffee in the city centre. 

The route is here.

Queen Elizabeth hospital

12 riders on a very grey morning which gradually improved, made their way to the QE for coffee.  

The route is here

Christmas lunch

Heavy snow last weekend, which caused disruption early in the week and made cycling impossible, had turned to ice on paths and in parks by today.  Sensibly, no-one risked riding to the Christmas lunch at the Toby Carvery at Cotteridge

Many thanks to Rose for photos.

No ride today

Very unusually, the weather was too bad for cycling.  A few of us gathered at Rowheath for coffee, but no-one ventured out on a bike.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Fourteen riders led by John P to Asda, Barnes Hill.  Weather damp, with heavy-ish drizzle for parts of the ride.

The route is here.

City centre

Seventeen riders led by John P via the towpath to Costa Coffee in the city centre.  Return via the towpath, including the Soho loop, and the Harborne walkway.

Bright, clear, and very cold. 

The route is here.

Marks and Spencer, Longbridge

An excellent turnout of fifteen riders, in persistent rain, which didn't let up until we were leaving M and S after the coffee break.  

The route is here.  

Waseley Hills country park

Sixteen riders led by John P to Waseley Hills country park.  A bit chilly, and large puddles from rain overnight, but no rain during the ride.

The route is here.

Queen Elizabeth hospital

John B led a group of thirteen riders to the café at the QE, with a choice of a slightly easier route to Harborne churchyard for those who didn't fancy the steep path from Quinton Road.  Return was via the university, the Vale and the towpath to Bournville.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's, Maypole

A large turnout today - 24 riders - so for the outward ride we split into two groups, led by John P and John B.  A chilly feel of autumn, but dry and no wind: pleasant cycling weather.  

The route is here.    

Woodgate Valley

Twelve riders braved strong winds and blustery showers for a ride to Woodgate Valley.  There are welcome signs that preparations are being made for resurfacing the path through the valley park, but until that work is completed it looks as if parts of it will remain muddy and rough.  Also welcome will be the pedestrian lights which are being installed at the crossing on West Boulevard.

The route is here. 

Moseley

John Bennett led 17 riders to the new M&S in Moseley on a warm dry sunny day. 

The route is here (Strava instead of mapometer, thanks to Ted and Philomena).

Two rides today

(i)  Longer ride

Early rain cleared up by 9.30, so nine riders, led by Alan, had a dry and mild longer ride.  Although we arrived at the Tardebigge Court café during the Saturday opening hours posted on the door, the café was closed.  Plan B was a coffee break a few miles past the halfway point, at the Morso café in Alvechurch. 

The route is here.

Thanks to Rose for photos.

(ii)  The regular Saturday ride 

For the short ride, Steven led fifteen cyclists, including two new riders, Julie and Billy.  Conditions were dry and mild.  Sadly, Dave abandoned because he punctured, electing to lock up and walk home for his car.  The route visited Dawberry Fields Neighbourhood Park in Brandwood, before passing both Lifford and Wychall Reservoirs along the River Rea.  Coffee was taken at Sainsbury's in Northfield, with the return along Merritt's Brook.

The route is here.

Gas Street Basin

17 riders on a damp start, becoming dry and brighter.  Via Harborne Walkway to Gas Street basin, led by John P. 

The route is here

Sense, Touchbase Pears, Selly Oak

Eighteen riders, led by John B, with a coffee stop at the new Sense Touchbase Pears centre in Selly Oak.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

Eighteen riders led by John P to Waseley Hills, with a variation on our usual return route - as you will see on the map of the route, which is here.

Weather dry, but dull and not very warm.

Thanks to John T for pics.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Nineteen riders set off from Rowheath in calm dry weather, with a forecast of possible showers.  This turned out to be misleading. The rain started just before the coffee break, and, after a pause, started again, more heavily, as we were setting off on the return. Then, as we were making our separate ways home in the Bournville area, it became torrential.  

We've been out in the rain before, but it is rare for us to get that wet on a Saturday ride.

The route is here.

Thanks to Rose for photos showing (i) waiting in vain for the weather to improve; and (ii) Kings Norton station after the rain.

Two rides today

(i)  A longer ride to Umberslade Farm Park, Tanworth-in-Arden.  Fifteen riders, on a fine day, though with a definite touch of autumn in the air.

The route is here.

(ii)  Just seven riders in fine weather for the ten o'clock ride. Steven led the group through the university, along the Harborne Walkway, around Edgbaston Reservoir, then a coffee-stop in Central Square, before returning on the canal towpath.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

Twenty-two riders led by John P to Woodgate Valley country park.  A fine warm day to be out on a bike.     

The route is here. 

Thanks to John T for pics

Maypole

Fourteen riders led by John Bennett to Sainsbury's at Maypole. Cloudy, cool and dry, except for a short shower on the return trip on the Rea Valley route. 

The route is here.

Kings Heath

Twenty-two riders led by John B to Kings Heath via Fordhouse Lane, Brandwood cemetery, canal, Cole Valley, Swanshurst, St Agnes, return via Highbury park, Holders Lane path, Rea Valley.

Mappleborough Green longer ride

Eight riders led by John P went to Mappleborough Green for a longer ride.  Managed to get there almost dry with one short shower but had a thunderstorm on the way back and Icknield Street was under water which made it interesting.  

The route is here.

Thanks to John T for two snaps of intrepid riders sheltering from a downpour in an underpass somewhere near Redditch.

Barnes Hill Asda

The usual gentle ride led by John B went via Cotteridge Park, Cadburys, Stock Wood, the new path through Selly Oak hospital site, Langley Road, Weoley Park Road, then past the crematorium to Asda, Barnes Hill.  Back via the shortest route through Weoley Castle whilst getting rather wet.
Eleven sodden riders.

Woodgate Valley country park

Alan led a group of 19 by an interesting and intricate route to Woodgate Valley, a repeat of his ride of 4th March 2017.  Weather cloudy, mild and dry.

The route is here.

Thanks to John T for photos.

Sutton Park

John T led 15 riders on a longer ride to Sutton Park.  Three returned from Deykin Avenue near Spaghetti Junction, one made his own way back from Sutton Coldfield after the café stop, and eleven cycled the whole route.  We were unlucky to be caught in a very heavy downpour as we arrived in the park.  Otherwise the weather was fine and dry.

The route is here.

Photo below was taken by John T (who therefore isn't in it) on the way back into Birmingham.  

Marks and Spencer, Longbridge

Twenty-one riders led by Richard to a new destination for the Saturday ride.  Useful to discover that there is cycle parking in the car park adjacent to M and S, with direct access to the store.  

The route is here.

Cannon Hill Park

Eleven riders were not put off by a damp and drizzly start.  We were led by John B on an interesting and scenic route via the canal and paths through university to the Vale, then to Cannon Hill Park, with a detour on the way home through Highbury park.  

The rain cleared up early on.  No sun, but we were warm and dry.

The route is here.

Two rides today

A turnout of 32 riders, rather too many for a single group, so two groups left for different destinations.  John B led a group of 16 to the Maypole and Richard led the rest to Sarehole Mill.

The Sarehole Mill route is here.  Thanks to John T for photos.

Two rides today

(i)  Richard and Nick led nine riders on a longer ride to Arrow Valley, Redditch.  Cool and cloudy at the start, warmer and sunny on the return trip.

The route is here.

(ii)  Kevin led the regular gentle ride - sixteen riders to the city centre.  

QE Hospital

Warm but cloudy day.  22 riders out on a route via Weoley Castle and Harborne Church to QE Hospital lead by John B.  One puncture on return trip.  

The route is here.

Thanks to John T for five photos, and to Jane for the one of the puncture being fixed.

Cole Valley

Twelve riders led by Nick on an interesting and enjoyable longer Sunday ride along the Cole Valley route, with stops at Sheldon Country Park and a pub in Hodge Hill.  Much of the route was new to many of us, with extensive stretches on cycle tracks through parks and woodland.  It was extremely hot.

The route is here.

Thanks to John T for photos from the outward trip, including a sign at the tea rooms, or, as you see, the tea room's, at Sheldon Country Park.

Alvechurch fisheries

Twenty-two riders led by John P to Alvechurch fisheries.  The return route took us via some new and interesting off-road sections, including a path from the fisheries over the canal which joined the road between Barnt Green and Hopwood.  

Weather hot - possibly the hottest day of the year.

The route is here. 

Thanks to John T for photos:

Waseley Hills

A large turnout - 27 - for a ride to Waseley Hills, led by John P. Weather cool and cloudy.

The route is here.

Two rides today

An excellent turnout of 29 riders on two rides.

(i)  Thirteen riders, led by John T, on a longer ride to the Olde Pounde café at Liveridge Hill, near Henley-in-Arden.  Weather bright, dry and breezy.

The route is here.  

(ii)  Sixteen riders on the regular Saturday ride, led by John B, to Morrison's at Five Ways, via Selly Oak, Vincent Drive, Farquhar Road, Harborne walkway, Edgbaston reservoir (clockwise), and back on the canal.

Halfpenny Green airfield

More strong and stable leadership from John and Hilary, this time with a very low turnout: just three of us on a longer ride to Halfpenny Green airfield (a change from the published destination, which was Stourport).  Quite a hilly route, in beautiful countryside and with fine clear weather, so that we could enjoy lovely views from high points on the boundaries of Staffs, Worcs and Shropshire. We had coffee at Wolverley and lunch at the café at the airfield, from where we could see (and hear) light planes taking off and a helicopter taking customers on short joy rides. 

The route is here. 

Woodgate Valley

As Jane described it, John P provided strong and stable leadership  for our group of 13 on a ride to Woodgate Valley.  The weather started off warm and sunny, but by the time we were back at Rowheath the wind had got up, and we were grateful there had been no rain from gathering black clouds.

The route is here.

Sarehole Mill

Richard led a group of fourteen riders on a 12 mile ride via the Stratford canal and Cole Valley route to Sarehole Mill.  We've passed the mill on previous rides, but this was the first Gentle Cycling visit to the cafe, which opens at 11.00 in summer and is free to enter  (there is a charge to visit the mill).  For more information, see Sarehole Mill.

The return route was via Kings Heath, Highbury Park and the Rea Valley route.  

Weather cool and showery.  Some rewarding sightings of herons and goslings.

Waseley Hills country park

John T led 17 riders to Waseley Hills via the Rea Valley route and Balaams Wood, returning via the climb up to Frankley Beeches, then Bartley Green Reservoir and Merritts Brook path through Manor Farm Park.  Weather cool and damp but generally dry.

The route is here.

Two rides today

(i)  Eleven riders on the usual Saturday ride, led by John T to Sainsbury's at Maypole.  The route was via West Heath Park and Hawksley, Primrose Hill, then a loop via Grimpits Lane and part of Redhill Road, and down Crabmill Lane to Sainsbury's.

Return via back roads and Brandwood Cemetery and Brandwood Park Road to Stirchley. 

The route is here. 

(ii)  Nine riders on an enjoyable longer ride in the quiet lanes south of the city, led by John P.  Coffee at the Priory Cafe at Stoke Prior.  Some challenging hills on the way back, especially Mearse Lane in Barnt Green.  Weather unseasonally cold.

The route is here. 

Costa Coffee at B'ham University

Twenty riders, led by John B.  Weather cool and cloudy.

The route is here.

Hatton Country World

An enjoyable longer ride, mostly on quiet country lanes, to Hatton Country World, near Warwick.  Eight riders led by John B.  Weather bright and dry, but quite cold.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

A fine bright day.  Steve led 19 riders to Woodgate Valley country park.  The route is here.


 At 1.00 pm Richard led a group of nine from Rowheath to Cannon Hill Park, for a gathering organised by Pushbikes at which candidates for the West Midlands mayor election gave brief speeches about their plans to encourage cycling in the region.  Beverley Nielsen (Lib Dem) turned up with (and possibly on) a bike; Sion Simon (Labour) was wearing a suit and didn't claim to have come by bike; Pete Durnell (UKIP) was wearing shorts; James Burn (Green) sent his apologies and a representative who spoke on his behalf; Graham Stevenson (Communist) sent his apologies; and Andy Street (Conservative) arrived late (not on a bike) because, as he assured us, he had been in top level discussions with Downing Street.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Twenty-one riders led by John B to Asda at Barnes Hill - or, more accurately, 17 riders on the outward trip, because Richard went back to Rowheath to collect three latecomers, and led them to the cafe.  

Cold and breezy day.  

The route is here.  

City centre

Twenty-five riders led by John P to the city centre via Harborne walkway, back via the towpath. The lovely weather attracted a lot of strolling pedestrians to the canal area near the ICC, where we had to get off our bikes for quite a long stretch.

The route is here.

Thanks to John P for photos.

Cobbles café at Knowle parish church

Fourteen riders (fifteen on the return when Nick joined as at the café) led by Sue to Cobbles in Knowle for coffee and cake, on the third longer Saturday ride of the year.  Raining when we set out, cleared up later.

The route is here.

For the regular ride, seven riders led by John B went to Morrison's at Five Ways.