Alvechurch fisheries

The hottest day of the year.  A group of sixteen enjoyed a warm ride, led by John P, and a coffee break on the decking overlooking the lake at Alvechurch fisheries.  

The return included a stretch of off road over the canal to join Bittell Farm Road, a shortcut which avoids the road, and a significant hill, round Lower Bittell reservoir.

The route is here.

Burcot garden centre

John led a group of seven to Burcot garden centre. 

Weather warm and dry, but no sun.

The route is here.

Two rides today

(i)  Longer ride: Tame Valley Loop

At 9.30 Steve led a group of nine on a longer ride which took us along part of the Metro route, with a stop for coffee in West Bromwich.  Then over to the Tame Valley Canal and back through Handsworth Park, where we stopped for lunch at the Boat House café, before returning via the Soho Loop to Gas Street Basin.

Lovely warm sunny day.  

The route is here.

(ii)  Regular ride: Lizzie's Farm

Richard led eleven riders to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash, where they sat outside in the sun for coffee and cake before a leisurely ride back to Rowheath through Rubery and Longbridge.

The route is here.

Two Mugs café, Shirley

Breezy, cloudy and mild for a mostly off-road ride to Shirley via the Stratford canal. 

Eleven riders - the largest group so far for a Monday ride. 

The route is here.

Warley Woods golf club

A cold and cloudy morning for a ride to Warley Woods.  We were lucky that the rain held off until after we got back.  

Fourteen riders.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

A familiar route into town, via Edgbaston reservoir and the Soho loop.  A new route on the return: the cycle route along the A38 from Bristol Street to Selly Oak, which is now open.  It is a smooth and comfortable ride safely away from traffic, but you need to take care at busy crossing points (particularly at McDonalds and at Priory Road) and look out for the green lights for cyclists. 

Six riders.

The route is here.

Cannon Hill park

With weather that fluctuated between wet and wetter, four intrepid riders were led by Steven to the regular poor-weather destination of Cannon Hill Park.  Return was via Northfield's Victoria Park, but none made it back to Rowheath, as Phil and Jane peeled off in Stirchley, whilst Brian and Steven went their separate ways home at Woodlands Park.

The route is here.

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash,

Mainly sunny day with a cool wind, though warm enough to sit outside at the café. 

Eight riders.

The route is here.

Two rides today

(i) Sarehole Mill

On the shorter ride 10 riders took a route to Sarehole Mill.  During our ride, John B led us on to the new section of cycle way from Birmingham University to the new Dental Hospital turn off. An excellent surface.

The route is here.

(ii) Ye Olde Pounde Café, Liveridge Hill

Warm, sunny weather for a longer ride to Liveridge Hill, via a route which avoided the nasty climb up to Tanworth-in-Arden.  As always, pleasant riding in the lanes, but a lot of traffic on the main roads we crossed (particularly the A435 at Beckett's Farm) and along Redhill Road.

Nine riders.

The route is here.