A smaller group - five riders - this week, as some regulars were attending a funeral service for John Black.
Thanks to Bob for leading an enjoyable outing to Earlswood garden centre. As he pointed out, he was the only non-local, so an obvious choice to lead.... There were some minor variations in routes home, with most people following that shown on the attached map. Weather cool and cloudy.
The route is here.
A hilly ride to Hartlebury Castle. on a cool cloudy morning with a stiff breeze.
Six riders.
The route is here.
A first visit to Akamba Heritage Centre in Tythe Barn Lane. Route diverted from towpath when we encountered hundreds of runners and walkers taking part in what looked like an ultra sporting event.
Lovely sunny warm day.
Thirteen riders.
The route is here.
Richard led a group of eight to Morso café in Alvechurch.
A bright sunny morning with a chilly wind.
The route is here.
Richard led eleven riders to Lizzie's Farm, where they had a pleasant stop on the grass at the farm overlooking the fields.
A warm but breezy morning.
The route is here.
A bright dry day with a cool breeze for a ride to the Desco Lounge in Shirley.
Spring is here: a profusion of cow parsley and may blossom on the towpath, a brood of ten ducklings on the canal and wisteria and lilac in gardens.
Eight riders.
The route is here.
Bright and dry for a breezy ride to Packwood House. Quite a strong headwind on the way back, especially in Middle Lane.
Four riders.
The route is here.
Bluebell ride
John led ten riders via a hilly route to see the bluebells in Great Farley woods (Winwood Heath Road on the map) via a coffee break at Rowberry's in Chaddesley Corbett. A cloudy morning with a cold wind, which persisted when the sun appeared after about 20 miles. Fortunately the bluebells were lovely, so there were rewarding views during what is for some of us an annual walk up the steepest hill we tackle.
The route is here.
Many thanks to Richard for pics, taken near Frankley church on the way home.
Bartley Green Sailing Club
Three riders took the long way round to Earlswood garden centre, in heavy rain which now and then eased to a drizzle.
The route is here.
Richard led a group of ten via one of our hillier routes to Bromsgrove garden centre in Little Heath Lane.
A bright sunny breezy morning.
The route is here.
John led a group of seven to Henley-in-Arden. A mild dry morning with a light breeze, Plenty of signs of spring in the lanes, including bluebells, and some signs that even the least hardy among us are tentatively shedding at least one layer of winter gear.
The route is here.