Warley Woods

Chilly, but no wind and no rain - good weather for a winter ride.  Richard and Steve led eleven riders to the golf club at Warley Woods via Haborne walkway, various paths and back streets and Lightwoods Park.  

The route is here.

Morrison's, Five Ways

Steve led a ride which took in numerous parks and public spaces around the city, a good test of bike handling skills along paths, through gates and especially in avoiding bumping into the (street) furniture.

Unfortunately, the ride was marred by the discovery after the coffee break that Nick's bike had been stolen from the area in the car park underneath Morrison's.  The bike, like all our bikes, was locked to one of the stands, but the area is in a corner of the car park which is easily visible and accessible from the street but not visible from the café, nor from anywhere in the store, so less secure than we would like.

Fifteen riders.

The route is here.

Cherry Red, city centre

A frosty morning, with patches of ice in places.  Four riders took the blue route into the city centre, with a coffee break at Cherry Reds in John Bright Street.

Woodgate Valley

In contrast to the cloud and rain of recent weeks, today we had blue sky, sun and a heavy frost.  A very cold start, with icy patches and slushy muddy areas on the rougher paths, slightly warmer on the way home.

Eighteen riders.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

A regular destination via a longer route.  We followed the Cole Valley route and joined the canal in Small Heath.  A section of the towpath near Ashted tunnel is now open after a two year closure, enabling us to ride into the city via the path beside the locks, an enjoyable but fairly challenging route on a damp and blustery day.

Six riders.

The route is here.

Asda, Barnes Hill

A cloudy day with a strong gusty wind.  John led 18 riders to Asda, Barnes Hill via Merritts Hill, Bartley reservoir and Senneleys Park, returning along Bournbrook walkway, where there has been extensive clearing of trees on either side of the path.

The route is here.

Morso café, Alvechurch

A cold dry breezy day for a ride to Alvechurch.  We came back via the road, as the towpath from Alvechurch was likely to be muddy.  The long climb up the hill from Hopwood was helped by a welcome following wind.  

Seven riders.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Richard led a group of 18 to Costa Coffee via the towpath and Edgbaston reservoir, where we were pleased to find that a large section of the previously muddy path (accessed from Rotton Park Road) has been surfaced.  

A dry fine day, with bright sun on the way home.

The route is here.