Costa Coffee, city centre

A cloudy rainy morning for a short wet trip to the city centre.  Four riders.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Just three riders braved the cold this morning for Richard's ride to Costa Coffee in the city centre.

The route is here.

Packwood House

John and Hilary led a group of six to Packwood House.

A chilly damp day, drizzly on the way out, slightly brighter on the way home.  

The route is here

Lightwoods Park and Cannon Hill

Two runs today:

Steven led eight on a circuitous ride to Cannon Hill Park, where the group disbanded to be in time for the Christmas lunch.  The route is here.

John led a group of five to Lightwoods Park, Bearwood.  The route is here.

King's Heath park

 A cloudy but mild day.  A group of six took a roundabout ride to the Tearooms in Kings Heath Park. 

Thanks to Sandra for the mince pies. 

The route is here.

Earlswood Garden Centre

Five out on a mild but cloudy morning.  Brian had a puncture in Seafield Lane.  Coffee at Wedges Earlswood Garden Centre. 

Route is here

City Centre The Exchange and Longbridge.

Two Runs today on a cold damp morning.

Steve led a group of 9 to Longbridge - route here.

John led a group of 6 on a short ride to the Exchange on Broad St.  The intention was to get back early before the rain which we managed to do by just going in and out via the canal. Where we spotted several Aqua Father Christmas's (14).

The Exchange Broad Street and Edgbaston Reservoir

Two groups this morning.  

John led a group of nine to The Exchange in Broad Street.  The route is here.

Steven took seven along Harborne Walkway to Edgbaston Reservoir café.  Return was by NCN Route 5, with an aggravating diversion near town because of roadworks blocking the cycleway.  The route is here.

Cold and windy but bright and sunny. 

Two Mugs café, Shirley

A cold morning, with squally showers on the return trip.  Six riders set off, reduced to four when two turned back after a back wheel puncture on the towpath.

The route is here.

Manor Tea Rooms, Earlswood

After several days of snow, ice and bitter cold (no rides on Saturday or Monday), today was mild and clear.  John led a group of six to Manor Tea Rooms, Earlswood.

The route is here.

No ride today

Storm Arwen brought snow, strong wind and bitter cold, so no ride today.

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash

A cold, cloudy morning.  Richard led a group of six to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, Henley-in-Arden

A frosty start to a sunny day for a ride to Costa Coffee in Henley-in-Arden.  Temperature remained low, but there was no ice and we had bright sunshine and fine views all morning.

Five riders.

The route is here.

MAC at Cannon Hill Park

 13 out on cool and cloudy morning. Steve led an interesting ride to the MAC at Cannon Hill. The route is here

Morso café, Alvechurch

Richard led a group of seven to Morso café in Alvechurch.  A calm clear morning, with good views.

The route is here.

Cherry Lane garden centre, near Clent

John and Hilary led a group of seven to Cherry Lane garden centre, via a hilly route which included up Dayhouse Bank on the way home.

Cool, calm day with no wind.  Distant views, usually good on this route, obscured by mist, but pleasant conditions for a ride.

The route is here.

Jewellery Quarter

Steven led 14 riders to the Jewellery Quarter via an intricate route through the city centre, which included the German market and the path under Lancaster Circus.   We returned by the more familiar canal towpath.   A cool cloudy morning.

The route is here.

Manor Tea Rooms, Earlswood

Richard led a group of seven to Manor Tea Rooms, Earlswood.  Drizzly on the way out, brighter and drier on the way home.

The route is here.

Mappleborough Green

John led a group of eight to Studley garden centre at Mappleborough Green.  

Cool and cloudy when we started, brighter later.

The route is here.

Two rides today

Twenty-one riders, divided into two groups.  

Richard led a group of eleven to Beckett's Farm.  The route is here.

Steven led the remaining group of ten around Bartley reservoir to a coffee stop at the Barnes Hill Asda.  The route is here.  

No rain, but quite windy.

Warley Woods

Quite heavy drizzly rain, which started soon after we set off, stopped during the coffee break, so we had a dry ride home.  

Nine riders, led by Richard.

The route is here.

Two Mugs café, Shirley

We chose an "in town" destination and a sheltered route to avoid the worst of very strong winds and possible flooding in the lanes following recent rain.  

Six riders.

The route is here.

Exchange café, city centre

The weather forecast was reassuringly accurate for seven riders this morning.  Heavy rain eased shortly before we set off for what turned out to be a dry ride in bright sunshine.  

Our first visit to Birmingham University's new café in the refurbished Lloyds Bank building in Broad Street.

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

Richard led a group of eight to Beckett's Farm via a route which was an enjoyable mystery tour for some of us.   A mild, windy day.

The route is here.

Arrow Valley

Arrow Valley, there and back by the usual route.  Four riders.  Damp to start, sunny later.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's, Maypole

Sixteen riders, in two groups, to Sainsbury's at Maypole.

Steven led ten riders, using an approach to Sainsbury's that John Bennett showed us some years back, with the return trip including unfamiliar paths through Hawkesley.  The route is here.

John and Hilary led the remaining group of six via this route.

Packwood House

A good turnout of nine riders for a trip to Packwood House, led by John and Hilary.  Forecast of rain turned out to be accurate, so we got a bit wet on the way home, but not enough to spoil an enjoyable ride.

The route is here.

Two rides today

 A large turnout today - 22 riders - so we divided into two groups of eleven.  

John and Hilary led one group to Waseley Hills.  The route is here.  

Steven led his group along the blue route, stopping at Edgbaston Reservoir café, and returning on Harborne Walkway.  The route is here.

A fine autumn day.

The Potting Shed

Richard led a group of six to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash, via an interesting longer and slightly more hilly route than usual.

The route is here.

Ambleside garden centre, Earlswood

We discovered that the café at the craft centre is closed on Mondays, so we had coffee at Ambleside garden centre.  A fine autumn day.  

Four riders.

The route is here.

Sarehole Mill

Steven led a group of 16 to Sarehole Mill, via some unusual paths and unfamiliar roads on both the outward and return rides.

A fine sunny early autumn day.

The route is here.

Sandra took this photo of a plane which has recently appeared on the SCC site.  More information here.

Kanteen at the Custard Factory

Richard led a group of six to Kanteen at the Custard Factory.  A bright, breezy, sunny day.

The route is here.

Alvechurch

Morso cafe in Alvechurch, the easy way, ie via Radford Road, not Icknield Street and Rowney Green.  A bright, breezy, sunny day.  We reckoned the more scenic route home - towpath and the track from Bittell Farm Road - would be muddy after recent rain, so we came back via the A441.

Six riders.

The route is here.

Two damp rides today

 A cold wet morning, with a forecast of rain for most of the day 

The longer ride was converted to a shorter one: four riders to Beckett's Farm (route here) 

The bad weather also affected the regular ride ten o'clock ride.  Steven led seven to M&S in Longbridge, taking a fresh path starting in Egghill, Frankley.  After the break, worsening rain prompted the decision to all ride straight home, with the route (which is here) only being up to the point that the group disintegrated.

Bromsgrove garden centre, Littleheath Lane

Seven riders, led by John and Hilary.  We avoided heavy rain, which had stopped by the time we set off, and had a dry, cool and breezy ride. 

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm, Lydiate Ash

Steven led fifteen riders to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash, via some unfamiliar paths on the way back.  

We were pleased to see that the undergrowth has been cut back on the path beside the A38 between Rubery and the motorway roundabout.  As well as widening the path, this has uncovered the original paved area, which is at least twice as wide as the narrow riding surface which has been there for years.  A big improvement.

Weather cloudy and warm.

The route is here.

Alvechurch

Seven riders led by John and Hilary to Alvechurch via the hillier route through Rowney Green.  A lovely early autumn day.

The route is here.

Bartley Sailing Club

Steven led 15 riders to Bartley Sailing Club, where we had our coffee break at the outdoor tables in warm sunshine.  

The route, which is here, took us via Woodgate Valley, where the café and visitor centre has not reopened. 

Warley Woods

Just two of us today on a ride to Warley Woods, returning via Woodgate Valley and the reservoir.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

Sixteen riders out today, in two groups.  Steven took eleven riders, including new recruit Paul, to the Costa Coffee in town that overlooks Old Turn Junction.  The ride included a brand new section, through the housing estate built on the former site of Selly Oak Hospital.  More familiar parts included the Harborne Walkway, a full one-point-six-mile circuit of Edgbaston Reservoir, and back to Bournville on the towpath.  

The remaining five riders took the usual route via the Harborne Walkway, and also included a complete circuit of the reservoir, where the water was very low. 

A fine warm day. 

Steven's route is here.

Wedge's bakery, Hockley Heath

Four riders.  A lovely sunny day.

The route is here.

Two rides today

1.  Longer and hillier ride to Chaddesley Corbett

Six riders out for longer ride to Rowberry's Garden Centre at  Chaddesley Corbett.  Warmer day with some sun.  Hazel brought a new member out who found it a bit hard. 

The route is here

2.  Regular Saturday ride to King's Heath park

Because the café at the Moseley M&S has been completely removed, Steven took eleven riders, on an adaptation of the Stratford Canal and Cole Valley route, to Kings Heath Park instead.

The route is here.

Sainsbury's Maypole

16 out on a warm and fairly sunny day. John took ride to Sainsbury's Cafe at the Maypole. The route is here

Studley

Five riders.  A mild cloudy day.

The route is here.

Marks and Spencer, Longbridge

Eleven riders turned out in the rain for a short ride to M and S Longbridge, led by Steve.  Return trip was extended slightly when it stopped raining later in the morning.

The route is here.

Feckenham

Four riders.  Cool, cloudy, breezy.

The route is here.

Two rides today

A large turnout today, so two rides:

1. The Potting Shed

John and Hilary led a group of ten to The Potting Shed at Singleton's garden centre at Lydiate Ash

The route is here

2.  Bartley Sailing Club

Steven led a dozen riders to Bartley Sailing Club. The trip there took a new route on paths across the Woodgate Valley housing estate. 

The weather held for most the ride, with some rain towards the end.

There have been some difficulties recently with the mapping tool we use to link to some routes.  Here is a screenshot, which can be expanded to show more detail if you click on it..  

Costa Coffee, city centre

Five riders.  After an early shower, dry and sunny.

The route is here.

Edgbaston reservoir

Steven took twelve to Edgbaston Reservoir, returning on the Harborne Walkway.  Because of two sets of roadworks near the Chinese Quarter, the route into town included some unusual diversions..

This is the route:

Two Mugs café, Shirley

Steve led 12 riders to the Two Mugs café in Shirley.  Cool, cloudy, showers on the way home.

The route is here.

Liveridge Hill

Five riders..  A fine warm day.

The route is here.

Sarehole Mill

Steve led a group of 14 to Sarehole Mill via the same route as the ride he led on 29th May, which is here.

After several hot sunny days, weather cooler and cloudy.

St Mary's hospice charity: Ride the Reservoir

Fourteen riders took part in the 25km charity ride in memory of Alan Drabble on an exceedingly hot day.

The route is here. 

Here are some photos:

Edgbaston Reservoir

 Steve led 11 on a very warm day to Edgbaston Reservoir. The route is here

Two rides today

 1.  An enjoyable longer ride to Arrow Valley, postponed from last week.  The café in the park is still closed, and shows no signs of reopening, but the kiosk is open for drinks outside.  Seven riders, led by John and Hilary.  Dry, cloudy and mostly warm.

The route is here.

2.  On routes old and new, Steven led eight riders, around Bartley Green Reservoir, stopping at the sailing club café, subsequently returning by way of Senneleys Park and Woodgate Valley.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

The planned longer ride to Arrow Valley was cancelled when thunder storms were forecast.  Hilary led a group of 13 to Waseley Hills via our usual route.  John led two riders, who didn't see the cancellation email and arrived at Rowheath for the 9.30 ride, to Waseley via a more demanding route.

Weather turned out calmer than forecast: drizzle, which cleared up later, and quite warm.

The usual route to Waseley is here.

Hilly route (20 miles) is here

King's Heath

Steve described the route of his ride to King's Heath today as "Alan-esque" - a round-the-houses tour of the back streets and alleyways of Selly Oak, Selly Park and Moseley, ending at Rourke's café at All Saints community centre.

Seventeen riders on the outward trip, nine on the return, as some chose a quicker route home.  Cloudy and cool.

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm

18 Riders led by Steve to Lizzies Farm near Lydiate Ash on a cloudy cool morning. the route is here

Two rides today

1.   The Lounge at Alvechurch

A group of four went to The Lounge at Alvechurch.  The route is here. 

2.  The Jewellery Quarter

Steven led nine to the Jewellery Quarter.  The route back included the new bridge over the canal in Selly Oak, possibly for the first and last time, as the ramps, both ascending and descending, were too twisty for most.

The route is here.

Two rides today

1.  Eight riders set off on a longer ride, led by John and Hilary, to Henley-in-Arden, where we had a break at Costa Coffee.

The route is here.

2.  City Centre

Steven led thirteen, via some new housing in Selly Oak, and then along the busy towpath, to Central Square in Brindley Place.  Return took in Edgbaston Reservoir and Harborne Walkway.  Most the riders paused to be included in a wedding photograph outside the Register Office.

The route is here.

A beautiful summer day.

Two rides today

Fourteen riders out today. 

John led one group to Bartley sailing club via Woodgate Valley.  The route is here.

Steve led the other group to Sarehole Mill via Ackers by the same route as the ride to Sarehole Mill in September 2020.  The route is here.

Waseley Country Park

 15 riders out on a cool but dry morning.  Unfortunately two riders had three punctures between them resulting in two not getting to Waseley.  The route is here

Two rides: Edgbaston reservoir and Bartley Green sailing club

1.  Steve led a group of eight to Edgbaston reservoir, where we had an outdoor coffee at the café on the corner of Leslie Road.  A cold day, mostly dry, but raining by the time we got back.

The route is here.

2.  John and Hilary led a short ride to Bartley Green Sailing Club with four riders. The route is here.

No ride today

 Weather was as forecast - persistent heavy rain - so no ride today.

Bluebell ride and rides to Waseley

 A chilly Mayday for a hilly ride, led by John and Hilary, to see the bluebells in Great Farley woods, and two rides to Waseley, led by Richard and Steve.  Another good turnout - 19 riders.

The route of the bluebell ride is here.

Photos courtesy of Hazel.

Jewellery Quarter, Shirley, Alvechurch

A fine sunny day.  Twenty-one people on three rides, to the Jewellery Quarter, Shirley and Alvechurch.

The route to Alvechurch is here.

Sarehole Mill, Becketts Farm, Woodgate Valley and Bartley reservoir

 Three more groups today to different destinations.  After a chilly start, a lovely calm sunny day.

The Woodgate Valley route and cafe stop at Bartley Reservoir is here

The Becketts Farm route is here

Warley Woods, Cannon Hill park

 Another good turnout for "rule of six" rides yesterday.  Two groups went separately to Warley Woods, where the golf club café was closed but the shop was selling takeaway drinks.  A third group went to Cannon Hill park via a roundabout route.

First rides since "rule of six" reintroduced

 At least 18 people turned up to join rides on a chilly Easter Saturday, following the reintroduction of the "rule of six" on 29th March.  Two groups went separately to Waseley, where the café is open for outdoor coffees, and one to Edgbaston reservoir.  

We're looking forward to regular Saturday outings from now on, meeting at 10.00 at Rowheath and, while the rules remain in place, dividing into groups of up to six when we meet.

Longer ride to Tardebigge

To mark the relaxation of lockdown rules (up to six riders now allowed) on 29th March, Richard O led four riders on an enjoyable ride via Redditch to Chataways café at Tardebigge, where we had outdoor coffees.  We returned via Rowney Green.  A hilly route, rewarded with good views into the distance as we got our breath back at the high points.

The route is here.

Many thanks to Con for his photographic record of the ride.