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.