Lightwoods Park

John P led five riders on our last outing of the year, to the café in Lightwoods Park.  

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

A big turnout for our last ride of the year.  John P led a group of 23 to Costa Coffee in the city centre, via the Harborne walkway, where we were treated to a volley of abuse from the owner of an out-of-control dog and where, more seriously, John B's chain broke.  As it could not be repaired, he made his way home by freewheeling down hills and walking up them.

A dry and unseasonally mild day.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

Alan led a group of fifteen to Woodgate Valley.  A bright dry mild morning.

The route is here. 

Costa Coffee, city centre

Five riders.  Cold, but not as cold as it was on Saturday.

The route is here.

Queen Elizabeth hospital

Despite bitter cold and a biting wind, nine people turned up for a ride.  John P led us to QEH, a good destination in bad weather - a warm café and not far to go.

The route is here.

Morso café, Alvechurch

Seven riders on a chill, calm winter day.  Towpath from Alvechurch to Hopwood reasonable on a bike, but would have been unpleasantly muddy for a walk.

The route is here.

Warley Woods

Twelve riders out, led by Richard to Warley Woods, where we found Father Christmas and the elves making the café rather busy.  Cool, windy but sunny morning.  

The route is here

Cannon Hill Park

A wet start with light rain which lasted throughout the ride.  John P led a group of 13 to Cannon Hill Park, via our usual route, which is here, along the canal and the Rea valley.

Many thanks to Carol and Andy for organising an enjoyable Christmas lunch at the Toby Carvery in Cotteridge, which followed the ride, and where we were joined by other BGC members.  

Earlswood garden centre

Six riders.  A cold winter day.

The route is here.

Marks and Spencer, Moseley

Eighteen riders to the café at Marks and Spencer in Moseley.

The route was similar to this, barring doubling back on the canal for a missed turn, and the group splitting more than once.

Lickey golf club

Seven riders, led by Richard, to Lickey golf club, on a chilly, breezy day.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's, Northfield

Steve led 16 riders to Sainsbury's in Northfield, via a route which took in some of our regular paths and roads in the local area as well as some less familiar ones.

A chilly cloudy start, with bright sunshine later.

The route is here.

Jewellery Quarter

A new destination.  Richard led a group of eight to the Jewellery Quarter, via the Harborne walkway and the Soho loop of the canal.  Fine breezy day.

The route is here.

Cobbles café, Knowle

Many thanks to Alan for leading the ride, and especially for treating all twelve of us to coffee and cake at Cobbles café in Knowle, to mark a significant birthday which he celebrated earlier in the week.

A heavy shower as we were leaving Knowle and more rain as we arrived home, but otherwise dry and bright.  

The route is here.

Thanks to Steve M for the photo, taken on the way home, after Nick had left us.

Two rides today

(i)  Asda, Barnes Hill

For the 10.00 start John P led a group of 9 on a bright sunny morning to Asda at Barnes Hill, which is an infamous location as it rains on nearly every occasion we visit.  As usual we weren't disappointed, as we got a short shower when we left the café.  It was good to see JB who came out on this ride.  

The route is here.

(ii)  Longer ride to Cobbles café in Knowle

Many thanks to Alan for leading the ride, and especially for treating all twelve of us to coffee and cake at Cobbles café in Knowle, to mark a significant birthday which he celebrated earlier in the week.

A heavy shower as we were leaving the café and more rain as we arrived home, but otherwise dry and bright.  

The route is here. 

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash

Seven riders, led by Richard, to the Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash.  

The route is here.

Maypole

A mild, windy day.  John P led twenty riders to Sainsbury's at the Maypole.

The route is here.

Coffee#1, Shirley

A lovely sunny day, if a bit chilly.  Richard led six riders to Coffee#1, near Asda in Shirley, chosen after we found there weren't enough seats available at the Two Mugs café. 

The route, which is here, shows our diversion from the Two Mugs café.  Coffee #1 is just across Shirley park, so the direct route there doesn't involve the busy area of the main road.

.   

Costa coffee, city centre

John P led a group of twelve to the city centre via the canal, Harborne walkway and Edgbaston reservoir, on the coldest ride since last winter, with a bitter wind and brief hints of snow.   The wind dropped on the way home, making for an easier return along the canal to Bournville.

The route is here. 

Woodgate Valley

A different route to a familiar destination.  John P led a group of eight to Woodgate Valley, going out via our usual return route, with some variations, and back through the park and via the Bournbrook path to join the canal at University station.  

Interesting to discover going this way round that the path through the park is noticeably downhill.   

Weather fine, if a bit chilly.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

A calm early autumn day.  John P led a group of sixteen to Waseley Hills.  

The route is here.

M and S, Longbridge

The sort of weather which makes you wonder what you were thinking of when you set off in steady soaking rain.  

Three of us had a short wet ride to M and S in Longbridge via the usual Rea Valley route.

Cannon Hill Park

A warm, very windy day with early rain.  John P led ten riders to Cannon Hill Park.  On the return, four of us put in an extra loop along the canal, through King's Norton Park and across Victoria Common, while the others returned via the usual route through Stirchley.

The longer route is here.

Warley Woods

Steve led a group of five to Warley Woods, following the route of the ride he led on bank holiday Monday.  It includes the path through Harborne golf course, which many of us didn't know was there, and looks easier on the way back than it would be going the other way.

The route is here.

Kiss Me Cupcakes, West Heath

Despite a dismal forecast, ten riders turned up in the rain for a ride led by Richard to Kiss Me Cupcakes in West Heath.  In steady and persistent rain, we took a shortened route back.

The route is here. 

Earlswood garden centre

Richard led a group of eight riders to Earlswood garden centre.  

A fine, if slightly chilly, early autumn day.

The route is here.

M and S, Moseley

A familiar destination, with some less familiar twists and turns on the way.  Alan led 23 riders to M and S in Moseley via an interesting route which included parts of Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath.

A beautiful late summer day.

The route is here.

Morso café, Alvechurch

Richard led a group of six on an enjoyable and scenic ride in early autumn sunshine to Morso café in Alvechurch.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

The destination was familiar, but the route (which is here) was carefully planned by Steve to take the group of 17 on interesting new paths and diversions, notably getting to the Bournbrook walkway on the way out and through Bartley Green, Kitwell and new estates in Northfield on the way back.

The forecast was for rain at lunchtime, which turned out to be a bit hopeful.  Rain started before the coffee stop and continued steadily, though not too heavily, for the rest of the ride.

Two Mugs café, Shirley

Richard led a group of five on an enjoyable ride to a café in Shirley which opened earlier in the summer.  

The route is here. 

Alvechurch fisheries

Richard led 17 riders to Alvechurch fisheries, who did well to cope with unexpected arrivals. 

Thanks to Mark for fixing Margaret's puncture at the top of Cofton Hill, and thanks to Richard for mapping the route, which is here.

Castle Bromwich gardens

Steve led a group of seven on an enjoyable extra mid-week ride to Castle Bromwich gardens.  As a result of his excellent local knowledge and planning, most of the route was off road, including towpaths, paths through the many green spaces and parks around that side of Birmingham, and occasionally alongside roads.  

We had a coffee break at BTP in Solihull and lunch at Castle Bromwich gardens, where you can get into the cafe without having to pay for entry to the gardens.  The gardens look well worth a visit, though. 

Weather bright and sunny in the morning, more cloudy and breezy on the return.  

The route is here.

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash

Richard led six riders to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash on a cloudy but warm morning.  We managed to have our coffee sitting outside.  

The route is here

Costa Coffee, city centre

Ten riders weren't put off by rain, which lasted until we were on our way home.  Steve led the ride to Costa Coffee in the city centre.

The route is here.

Thanks to John T for photos.

M and S, Moseley

Four riders.  Nice warm morning.  

The route is here.

Two rides today

A lovely late summer day.

(i)  Eleven riders on a longer ride to Cobbles café at Knowle parish church, for excellent cheap coffee and cakes, and a view of the arrival of guests and the bride for a wedding.

The route is here.  On the return, we decided against Wast Hills Lane (steep but quiet) in favour of Redhill Road (easier but a lot of traffic). 

(ii)  John B led the regular ride - eight riders to Harborne.

Warley Woods

On Bank Holiday Monday Steve led a group of nine on a very interesting ride to Warley Woods.  Weather overcast.  The route included Harborne Walkway, Lightwoods Park, Queens Park and a previously unused path through Harborne Golf Club and finally along the route of the old Selly Oak canal. 

The route is here

Maypole

23 riders out today on a slightly cooler but dry day.  John P led the ride on a fairly steep route using several paths to Sainsbury's Maypole.

The route is https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4796826.html
here

M and S, Moseley

Only three of us this morning.  

We took the usual route to Moseley - Stratford canal, Cole Valley, 
Wake Green Road - for a leisurely coffee, after a hold up for a puncture repair near Sarehole Mill.  From Moseley we each made our own way home, so there is no map of a circular route.  

Longer ride to Sutton Park

A repeat of John T's enjoyable tour of parks and towpaths, with a coffee stop at Forge Mill farm and lunch at the café at the town gate of Sutton Park.  We had a few mechanical problems, starting with a suspected puncture in John's front tyre, which he dealt with by changing the wheel before we set off.  A problem with Jane T's chain, which seemed to be fixed in Westfield Road, became more serious when we were on the towpath, resulting in Jane having to push the bike into town and get the train home.

Eight set off, and two caught the train back from Sutton Coldfield. Five riders completed the ride both ways.

Weather warm, dry, mostly cloudy and quite breezy.

The route is here.

Newman College

Twenty-one riders led by John B, with a coffee stop at Newman College, a new destination for the group.  Soon after coffee John was unlucky to get a puncture in the back tyre of his electric bike, caused by a nail.  Thanks to Dave Banner for pics below which show the damage, and the working party whose efforts saved John a long walk home.

The route is here.

Thanks to Jane T for photos taken at the coffee stop.  

Waseley Hills country park

Sixteen riders led by John P to Waseley Hills.  Weather cooler today, but still warm enough to sit out at the café.

  
The route is here.

M and S, Moseley

 A group of six led by Richard to M and S Moseley.  Another lovely day.

As there have been problems with posting maps over the past few days, Jane T took the pictures below to illustrate the ride in the absence of the route.  It looks though as if Mapometer is working again, so we've got photos and a map.

The route is here.

Umberslade Farm Park

Two rides today.

The longer ride.  On another hot sunny day Hilary led a group of 12 to Umberslade Farm Park at Tanworth-in-Arden, passing through West Heath Park through the ford at Truemans Heath, on to Earlswood, riding between the lakes to the children's farm for coffee. Returning via Branson's Cross and climbing up Wast Hills to make a change!  

A ride of 26.5 miles.  The route is here.

Warley Woods

Four riders led by Richard on a warm overcast day went to Warley Woods via Harborne, with a ride around the park before returning via part of Bournbrook Walkway.  

The route is here

Asda, Barnes Hill

Sixteen riders on windy slightly damp but cooler day than of late, thank goodness.  JP led a slightly different route, climbing the newly surfaced Merritts Hill, which is still as steep as ever, past the reservoir and through Senneleys Park, returning via the route of the old canal.  Two mechanical problems. 

The route is here

Singleton's garden centre

John P led a group of four to Singleton's garden centre at Lydiate Ash.  

Even hotter.

The route is here.

M and S, Moseley

Twenty riders led by John P to M and S in Moseley.  Another fine hot day.

The route is here.

Ambleside garden centre, Earlswood

Five of us, another hot day.

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

Another hot day.  Eighteen riders led by John P to Woodgate Valley country park.  The route out was by way of the towpath to University station and on the way back via paths which brought us out opposite Five Ways school, which ensured that the majority of the ride was off road.

The route is here.

Two rides today

A total of 26 riders turned out on a very hot day for two enjoyable rides.  

(i)  Longer ride to Handsworth Park

A group of 15 led by Steve to a refreshment stop in Handsworth Park, at about the 21 mile mark of a 31 mile ride.  An interesting and varied route, with familiar sections in the early stages (where we were held up by a puncture on the Harborne walkway and by hundreds of half marathon runners on the towpath) and at the end, and interesting new areas in the middle.  These included the path alongside the tramway, with several crossings of the track, and some small parks on the way to Handsworth Park.

Thanks to John T for photos.

The route is here.

(ii)  Sainsbury's at the Maypole

A group of eleven led by John B on a 14 mile ride via Lifford Lane, the Stratford canal, Monyhull, Brandwood, Crabmill Lane, Gay Hill, Walkers Heath Park (possibly not in that order).  

Box Trees café, Hockley Heath

Another hot day.  John P led a group of four to Box Trees café near Hockley Heath.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Eighteen riders led by John P to Costa Coffee in the city centre.  Out via the QE and Harborne Walkway, back via the canal.

Morso café, Alvechurch

A glorious summer day.  Eight riders led by John P to Morso café in Alvechurch, returning via the canal and Hopwood hill.

The route is here.

Alvechurch fisheries

John P led a group of 17 on an enjoyable ride to Alvechurch fisheries, one of our more demanding routes.  

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

Richard and John led a group of five to Beckett's Farm via roads which are familiar in the other direction but looked different going this way round.  The return route included going up Wast Hills Lane to Redhill Road, which is harder than going down.  

The route is here.

Sarehole Mill

Richard led a group of twelve to Sarehole Mill.  There were signs of damage caused by flash floods on 27th May, including a collapsed section of the towpath beyond Brandwood tunnel, erosion of the path leading from the towpath to Yardley Wood Road and flattened undergrowth along the Cole river bank.  Both the mill and the café were open, although some buildings on the site have been closed since they were flooded when the river burst its banks. 

The route is here.

Warley Woods

A glorious sunny day.  Richard led a group of four to Warley Woods, with some variations on the route we've taken before to avoid some busy roads and crossings.  We added a loop round the very scenic community park and golf course before taking a return route via Harborne and the Bournbrook walkway, now reopened after a long closure for flood prevention works.   

The route is here.

Woodgate Valley

Alan led a group of 19 to Woodgate Valley, via a route which took us out via the reservoir and back along the north edge of the park, ie not including the newly improved path, which is now open across the middle of the park.

The route is here.

Latif's, Digbeth

A group of five rode to Digbeth via the towpath into town and the Fazeley canal towpath under the city centre.  The newly opened path through Edgbaston tunnel is a big improvement, wide enough for two bikes to pass.  We were diverted off the Fazeley canal by a closure somewhere near Nechells, then expertly navigated back to the canal via the road by Richard and John.

The route is here.

Two rides today

1.  Regular Saturday ride

A group of eight led by John B via the byways of Edgbaston to Morrison's at Five Ways

2.  Longer ride

An enjoyable ride for a group of twelve, led by John T to Arrow Valley country park.

Thanks to Jane for photos below, taken during a short pause near the junction with Watery Lane while Mark fixed a back wheel puncture, and to John T for the group shot taken outside the visitor centre.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

The day after torrential rain and flash flooding across the city, John P led a group of seven to the city centre.  There was a deep puddle on the Harborne walkway (see Jane T's photo below) and flattened vegetation along the banks of the River Rea where the water had risen, but you would never have known that Bristol Road had been under several feet of water only a matter of hours before.

The route is here.

M and S, Longbridge

A damp start to the day, but no rain during the ride, and warm sunshine after we got home.  Fifteen riders led by Richard via an interesting route to M and S at Longbridge.

The route is here.

Alvechurch

Another fine day, so a good opportunity to explore towpaths and off road routes which would be difficult, or even impassable, in winter.  Richard led a group of eight to Morso café in Alvechurch.    

The route is here.

Waseley Hills country park

John P led a group of 21 to Waseley Hills on a beautiful early summer day.  

The route is here.   

Earlswood garden centre

Richard led a group of eight to Earlswood garden centre via the towpath of the Stratford canal.  It's a lovely ride, but a long stretch of the path is unpaved and rough, and even after a long dry spell there were a few muddy patches, so not recommended for winter riding.  Today the weather was perfect, with warm sun and blue skies - and we saw newly hatched ducklings on the water.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Nineteen riders led by John B on an interesting route via twists and turns through Edgbaston and over Hagley Road to Costa Coffee in the city centre.  The return trip took in more bits of Edgbaston and the university, joining the canal at University Station.  

The part of the towpath currently closed for improvements at the tunnel is due to reopen at the end of May.

Weather cool and cloudy.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills country park

On a glorious warm and sunny day (possibly, we're told, the hottest early spring bank holiday on record), Richard led a group of eight to Waseley Hills country park.

The route is here.

Two rides today

1.  Liveridge Hill café

The longer ride started at 9.30 and saw nine riders led by Hilary to Liveridge Hill café near Henley-in-Arden. 

The route is here.

2.  Woodgate Valley Country Park

At last a hot sunny day after months of cold wet weather saw 18 riders led by John P. leave at 10.00 to try the Woodgate Valley route for the first time this year.  We were very surprised and pleased to find the new tarmac path is now complete, although there is still more work to do. 

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

A group of four set out in cold and windy conditions to the ICC in Birmingham.  The route took us through Bournville, the University grounds, Edgbaston reservoir and finally to Costa Coffee at the ICC via the Winson Green canal loop. 

The return was easier with the wind behind us and followed the Birmingham and Worcester Canal, bypassing the towpath works at Egbaston Tunnel by using Wheeleys and Carpenter Roads.

The route is here.

Cannon Hill Park

Fourteen riders turned out on a cold and wet morning.  John P led the ride to Cannon Hill park, our usual destination in miserable weather.

The route is here.

Latif's, Digbeth

Thanks to Richard for leading the ride and for sending this report and a map of the route.

Five riders followed the Stratford Canal and Cole Valley route to Ackers Trust.  From there we picked up the Grand Union Canal into Birmingham.

After coffee at Latifs, we returned through Digbeth and then on to the Rea Valley route.  Few climbs on this ride, so a good 'longer ride' for those who want to push their time on the bike.

The route is here.

Arrow Valley park, Redditch

Thanks to Richard for leading the ride and for sending this report and map of the route.

Only four riders for the first of the Sunday rides this year, which was rather disappointing.

From Rowheath the route took us to Wast Hills via West Heath Park.  From there we took the scenic roads to Alvechurch and then on to Arrow Valley Park in Redditch.  After coffee we returned via Icknield Street and on to Kings Norton.

With the rain threatening we managed to return well ahead of schedule.

The route is here.

Lizzie's farm, Lydiate Ash

Thanks to Richard for leading the ride and sending the map of the route and this report.

The group started off from Rowheath in pleasant sunshine, which was a change from previous Saturday rides.

The route took us through Longbridge and Frankley and skirted Waseley Hills.  After the steep descent to Lizzie's Farm, we were able to sit outside and have our coffee. 

After viewing the new born lambs, we returned via Rubery.

Thanks to Barbara for photos.

The route is here.

Alvechurch

Richard led a group of eight on an enjoyable ride to Morso café in Alvechurch.  Having found Icknield Street rough, muddy and hilly on the way out, we took an easier route on the way back, which included stretches of the canal.

The route is here.  

M and S, Moseley

Fifteen riders led by Alan to M and S, Moseley.  An interesting and enjoyable route, parts of which (notably Dawberry Fields park) were new to many of us.  

A lovely warm and sunny day.

The route is here.  

Tardebigge

Six riders led by John P to Tardebigge Court café.

The route is here.

Two rides today

(i) Wedge's Bakery, nr Hockley Heath

Early rain didn't put off ten people, including three new riders, who turned up for the first longer ride of the year, led by John T and Alan.  A successful outing, with no problems, made more enjoyable by a steady improvement in the weather during the morning.  The route is here.

(ii)  Costa Coffee, city centre

Five riders joined the regular ride to Costa Coffee, also rewarded by a dry ride after an unpromising start.

The route is here.

BOURNVILLE GENTLE CYCLING GROUP       2018 LONGER RDES


DATE START DAY       DESTINATION               LEADER             DISTANCE

Apr-07 9.30am SATURDAY EARLSWOOD                               JOHN P                     23

Apr-22 9.30am SUNDAY ARROW VALLEY                          RICHARD A                30

May-05 9.30am SATURDAY LIVERAGE HILL                           HILARY                  30

May-20 9.30am SUNDAY DITCHFORD BANK                              TBA                      30

Jun-02 9.30am SATURDAY ARROW VALLEY                             JOHN T                  30

Jun-17 9.30am SUNDAY KINGSBURY WATER PARk                  NICK                     40

Jul-07 9.30am SATURDAY TEME LOOP  VALLEY                       STEVE                  30

Jul-22 9.30am SUNDAY SUTTON PARK - AROUND BHAM       JOHN T                 45

Aug-04 9.30am SATURDAY UMDERSLADE PARK                      LYNNE                  28

Aug-19 9.30am SUNDAY TO BE DECIDED TBA                     35

Sep-01 9.30am SATURDAY KNOWLE                                              SUE                      28

Sep-16 9.30am SUNDAY TO BE DECIDED                                       TBA                      35

Cannon Hill park

John P led eleven riders to Cannon Hill park on a damp and cold Easter Saturday.  Early rain had stopped by the time we set off, and most of the ride was dry, but it was raining again by the time we got home.    

The towpath is still closed at Edgbaston tunnel, following delays to the work to widen the path.  The expected completion date is now 20th May.

Today's route is here.

Warley Woods

Eight riders led by Alan to the golf club at Warley Woods.  A lovely spring day.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's, Maypole

Fifteen riders led by John P to Sainsbury's at the Maypole. 

Better weather at last: no sunshine, but mild and dry 

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Thanks to Richard for this report of the ride he led on Saturday, and for mapping the route.  

A brave or foolhardy 7 set out in high winds and sub zero temperatures to Costa in the City Centre via the canal and Edgbaston Reservoir.  A sign of the wind strength was when two fishermen we spoke to on the Reservoir said they were giving up because the waves were too high. 

A much more pleasant return via the Rea Valley route with the wind at our backs and a brief glimpse of the sun.

The route is here.

Asda, Barnes Hill

Sixteen riders led by John P to Asda, Barnes Hill.  

John promised we wouldn't get wet, and he kept his promise: the rain started at about 1.30.

The route is here.

No ride today

Eight of us met at Rowheath, where radiator and boiler problems had delayed the opening of the café.  We went instead to Leverton and Halls at the bottom of Maryvale Road, which was warm and comfortable, and doing a roaring trade.

Thanks to Jane T for photo.

M and S, Longbridge

Richard led sixteen riders, encouraged by bright sunshine and undeterred by bitter cold, via the canal to M and S, Longbridge.  An interesting route, especially on the way back, and new to many - hence remarks indicating that several of us had no idea where we were.

The route is here.

M and S, Moseley

At last some reasonable weather, cold but dry and calm, and as we got back to Rowheath blue sky and sunshine.  

Eighteen riders led by John P to the café at M and S in Moseley.

The route is here.

No ride today

We have managed short rides with small numbers in fairly awful weather conditions for the past few Saturdays.  Today, though, we decided that there would be no pleasure in battling against rain, cold and strong wind, so a small group had coffee at Rowheath before heading home.

Even in winter, it is rare for our rides to be so disrupted by the weather.  We hope for better luck next week. 

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash

The third Saturday in a row where cold wet weather has put off many regular riders.  John P led a group of eight to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash.

The route is here.

Cannon Hill park

Another wet and windy day, though a bit less cold than last week.  Five riders led by John P via the towpath and Calthorpe park to Cannon Hill park.  We left the towpath at The Vale, from where we could see that the path is now closed for works at Edgbaston tunnel - see info here.  

The route is here.

M and S, Longbridge

In dreadful weather - persistent rain, turning to wet snow, with no sign of improvement - five of us stood around at Rowheath, agreed we must be mad, but did it anyway: a very short ride, to M and S at Longbridge.  By the time we arrived back, cold and wet, the snow had started to settle.

The route is here.  

Waseley Hills country park

Eighteen riders led by John P to Waseley Hills.  Weather cold and dry.

The route is here.

Church café, Kings Heath

Alan led fourteen riders to the church café in Kings Heath.  A very cold morning with blustery showers which, annoyingly, gave way to calmer and brighter weather by the time we got back to Rowheath, 

The route is here.