Community Cafe Alvechurch

 Nine out on ride to Community Cafe in Alvechurch. Bright but cold morning. The route is here

Becketts Farm

 Todays ride to Becketts was cold but dry with little wind. Pleasing to see so much wildlife on this route. There were 3 herons and a kingfisher along the Stratford Canal. Two buzzards were then seen along Wilmore Road one of which flew straight in front of us.

There were 11 riders. The route is here

The Potting Shed Lydiate Ash

 9 riders on a dull and damp day. to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash. The route is here

Cobbles Cafe Knowle

Two rides today - 

10 out on the 9.30am longer ride led by Nick to Knowle, a favourite destination of Alan Drabble. Cloudy with some drizzle to start. A nice route through Solihull's Brueton Park for coffee and cake at the church. 

The route is  here

Only 3 met up for the 10.00am start and Bob and Joe went to Waseley & back through Woodgate Valley.

Soda Bread Cafe St Paul's Square

 Richard O led an 18ml circuitous route into and probably more meandering out of Birmingham. The weather was cloudy and cool but dry. 8 riders. The route is here

Costa Dickens Heath

 Nine out on mild and sunny morning John had a puncture in leaselows road on the way back. The route is here

JJs Cafe at Drakes Cross Wythall

 Todays ride was a shorter route to JJ's cafe at Drakes Cross, Wythall. Cold start but just about mild enough to sit outside. Pleased to see that most of the roads in the Wythall area are now open after extensive road works in recent months.

8 riders.

The route is here

Waseley

 12 out on mild and sunny morning. Floods on the way back. The route is here

The Round House

 Nine out on a cold but bright morning to the Round House Gas Street Basin. The route is here

The Wave Earlswood Wednesday 9 October

Todays ride was to the Wave at Earlswood. Dry but damp and murky start. Pouring with rain on return for last 2 miles. 8 riders. The route is here

Lizzies Farm Lydiate Ash

Saturday 5 October

 A fine Autumn morning for a change. Bright sun and gentle breeze made it ideal cycling weather.

10 riders took a route to Lizzies Farm at Lydiate Ash

The route is here

Desco Lounge Shirley

 Todays ride was to the Desco Lounge on Shirley High Street. 7 riders on another breezy and damp day. The route is here

Alvechurch Community Cafe

11 riders started off on a cold but clear day. Took a route through the Austin Village and Old Birmingham Road. Cafe quite crowded as a charity fund raising event for the Community Cafe was taking place. However, as usual they were very accommodating and managed to find us seats inside. After a quick look at the stalls and purchasing  of a number of knitted animals we returned via our usual route through Cofton. The route is here

Smethwick Park

 Today's ride was to West Smethwick Park café, a new Wed. café stop via canals on the way out and returning on fairly quiet streets. The weather was mild and dry.6 riders.here

Saturday 21 September 2024 Two rides - one to The Exchange and a longer one to Lowsonford

  10.00 am ride to The Exchange. Six riders on a warm morning via the Harborne walkway. The route is here

 9.30 am ride via The Two Mugs Shirley where Nick led a group of 9 riders to the Fleur De Lys pub on the banks of the Stratford Canal, Great weather all the way until torrential rain storm hit us 5 miles from home. Arrived back absolutely soaked. To add insult to injury had to pull up sharply to avoid running over a large frog which was using the huge puddles on Middle Lane, Wythall for his playground.

Nevertheless thanks to Nick for a great and well planned ride. A very good destination for a longer ride with not too many major climbs.

 route is here

JJs Cafe Drakes Cross Wythall - Wednesday 18 September 2024

 10 out on ride to new venue for the Wednesday group at JJs Cafe. A cool and breezy morning although pleasant to sit outside this very welcoming and helpful venue. The route is here

Waseley Country Park

 11 out on sunny but cool morning. Bridge at Longbridge on new path was closed so had to do a deviation. The route is here

Earlswood Garden Centre

 Wednesday 11 September - Nine out on a cool but dry and blustery morning. Richard O led them on a brave route down Wast Hills and up Weatheroak Hill!! The route is here

Costa Brindley Place

 Saturday 7th Sept - The weather today today was rather overcast with occasional drizzle. 8 riders to a regular destination of Costa at Brindley Place. Route is here

Bromsgrove Garden Centre

 Wednesday 4th Sept - A good turnout today of 13 riders to the Bromsgrove Garden Centre. Breezy and a little chilly to start but group soon warmed up after tackling Lickey Hills climb. A well worn route that is here

Warley Woods 31 August

 With a lot of people on holiday only 8 riders went to Warley Woods on a dry but breezy morning. The route is here

Potting Shed Lydiate Ash

12 riders on a perfect cycling day to the Potting Shed. Dry, little breeze and not too warm. As two riders had to get back early we decided to split the group when we got to Waseley  Hills. One group did the longer route over Waseley, the other group went via Waseley Road and route 5 meeting up at the Potting Shed. The routes are here and here

Bank holiday ride to Rowberrys

 Two rides on Bank Holiday Monday - one to Rowberrys at Chaddesley Corbett and the other led by Richard O to Black Country parks and Netherton Tunnel. 

Seven riders on the ride to Chaddesley via a slightly different route. Classic Car event on in Chaddesley and was very busy but cafe was fine. Cool and breezy. The route is here

Seven out also on Richard Os ride and was enjoyed by all. The route is here

No Ride Saturday 24 August

 No ride today in view of the very wet morning.

The Wave Earlswood on 21 August 2024

 Bright and breezy morning for ride to The Wave at Earlswood although service was a bit slow.  11 riders. The route is here

Bartley Green Sailing Club

 10 out on warm and sunny morning via QE Hospital and Woodgate Valley to the Sailing Club cafe when unfortunately it went cloudy and cooler. The route is here

Alvechurch Community Cafe

 Damp start but weather improved during the morning.  Went to Community cafe in Alvechurch where we were made most welcome. 8 riders. The route is here

Two Mugs Cafe Shirley Wednesday 7 August 2024

 Seven riders, started with a little drizzle and then got warmer. Nice to see cycle racks at this venue suitable for small group. The route is here

Starbucks Mapole

Twelve riders on a cloudy drizzly day went to Starbucks at the Maypole. went via the Hawksley Estate, Primrose Hill and Crabmill lane. The route is here

Costa Coffee, city centre

Slightly cooler than recent hot weather for a ride to the city centre via the Harborne walkway,  Edgbaston reservoir and the Soho Loop, a section of the canal we haven't ridden for a long time.

Twelve riders.

The route is here.

Wedge's Bakery, Hockley Heath

A perfect hot summer's day for a ride to Wedge's Bakery at Hockley Heath.

Eight riders.

The route is here.

Blake Street to Lichfield to Sutton Coldfield

An enjoyable longer ride, led by Nick, from Blake Street station to Lichfield, then on to Sutton Coldfield station through Sutton Park.  The early route took us through quiet country lanes and villages with scenic views in bright sunshine.  After a coffee break in Fisherwick and lunch near Lichfield cathedral, we had more cloud and a chilly wind, but no rain.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

Costa Brindley Place

 Only four out on usual ride. Sunny but cool wind. The route is here

Chataways, Tardebigge

A cloudy morning for a ride to Chataways café at Tardebigge.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

A large turnout - fourteen riders -  for an outing to Beckett's Farm.  

A warm, cloudy morning, in contrast to the mini heatwave of the past couple of days.

The route is here.

The Wave, Earlswood

Today's ride took us to the familiar Wave café at Earlswood, by a slightly longer route than usual.

A bright and breezy day. 

Nine riders.

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm

A cool cloudy morning for a ride to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash.

Twelve riders.

The route is here.

Starbucks, Maypole

Cool, cloudy and breezy for a ride to Starbucks at the Maypole.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

The Exchange

Seven riders on a wet morning going along the Blue route into town to the Exchange. Returning via the canal. 

The route is here

The Potting Shed

An impressive turnout of 12 for a chilly and wet start to a ride to the Potting Shed, the long way round.  Dry until we got to the café, then drizzle again on the way home.

The route is here.

Cannon Hill park

Fifteen riders to the MAC in Cannon Hill park, via a roundabout route.  

A cool and cloudy morning.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

A hot and sunny day for a ride to Waseley Hills, a good destination in fine weather, as there is plenty of outside seating.  The new path from Longbridge is a great improvement on the previous route (main road, or path beside the road), especially as there is plenty of width for both pedestrians and cyclists 

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

Only four out on a lovely sunny day.  The ride to Waseley followed a similar route to the one  for the memorial ride for Steve on 1st June - here.

We took the route along the new cycle path from Longbridge, then a variation on the way into the country park.  Having cycled part way up the stony path, we then walked through fields full of buttercups to the café.

The Wave, Earlswood

A cool breeze to start, followed by bright sun for a coffee break in the garden at The Wave.

Eleven riders.

The route is here.

No ride today

By the time eight of us arrived at Rowheath this morning, a light shower was turning into heavy persistent rain.  After some discussion, the ride was called off.  This turned out to be a sensible decision, as there was further heavy rain throughout the morning.

Sanders Park, Bromsgrove

Another cool and breezy day for a trip to Sanders Park in Bromsgrove.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

A cool cloudy morning for a ride to Beckett's Farm.  Some sun on the way home, but still a cold wind.

Eight riders.

The route is here.

Alvechurch

 ...by our usual route.  

Five riders.

Waseley Hills

A memorial ride for Steven Tomlinson, who was a regular rider and ride leader with the group for many years.  He died in February.  

We were pleased to be joined by 21 riders, including Steven's sister Sue and some we hadn't seen for a while, for a ride to Waseley, a destination Steven knew well.   He was remembered by everyone for his detailed knowledge of alleys, paths and towpaths all over the city and particularly for his most memorable ride - through the Netherton tunnel.  The tunnel is 1.72 miles long and unlit, which probably explains why the group which followed Steven into it was smaller than our usual turnout.  This morning Richard gave a lively description of cycling through the tunnel under Steven's leadership.  No-one suggested repeating the ride.

Today was our first time riding the newly opened path from Longbridge to the entrance to Balaam's Wood, a big improvement on the previous options, which were either the road or the footpath along the A38.  

Attached pics of the group at Waseley and on our bikes in Popes Lane.

The route is here.

Desco Lounge, Shirley

A ride to the Desco Lounge in Shirley, by an unusual route which didn't involve towpaths.

A chilly wind and not much sun, but luckily only very slight spitting rain towards the end.

Eight riders.

The route is here.

Warley Woods

After cold and wet weather this week, it was a bit warmer today for a ride to the golf club at Warley Woods.

Twelve riders.

The route is here.

No ride today

One of those rare days when there was continuous rain from early morning.  No ride.

The Wave again

A small group of regular riders on a second outing this week to the Wave at Earlswood, where we again sat in the garden.  Fine weather, and may blossom and cow parsley in the lanes at their best.

Seven riders.

The route is here.

The Wave, Earlswood

A cool and cloudy start, sun later and warm enough to sit out at the Wave.

Six riders.

The route is here.

Kanteen at the Custard Factory, Digbeth

A rare visit to Digbeth, via a flat route along towpaths and cycle ways, returning by NCN 5 through Cannon Hill Park.  

A fine sunny morning.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Bromsgrove garden centre, Little Heath Lane

Eight riders set off for Sanders Park, a destination which was changed to Bromsgrove garden centre after a slight delay following a puncture in Catshill.

A warm and sunny morning.  

The route is here.

The Lounge, Alvechurch

And again some decent weather - warm and sunny enough for us to sit outside comfortably during the coffee break.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

The Stables, Illshaw Heath

Richard is pleased to report a much warmer and drier ride today, a pleasant change from the cold and wet rides over the past few weeks.

Nine riders rode to the Stables at Illshaw Heath.

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm

Freezing cold and squally rain on the way home.  Eight riders to Lizzie's Farm, where we sat outside and shivered.

The route is here.

The Wave, Earlswood

A cold dry morning for a ride to the Wave at Earlswood,  

Seven riders.

The route is here.

Two rides today

 A bright sunny day with a cold wind.

1.  The Roundhouse, city centre

The regular 10.00 o'clock ride took us to the Roundhouse in Birmingham, where it was warm enough to sit out on their newly built patio.  Coffee now cheaper than Costa.

Seven riders.

The route is here.

2.   Rowberry's, Chaddesley Corbett

The annual hilly bluebell ride, returning from Chaddesley Corbett via Winwood Heath Road through Great Farley Woods, where there were early bluebells on both sides of the steep hill.

Three riders.

The route is here.

Bromsgrove garden centre, Little Heath Lane

Richard reports a very chilly start to a ride to Bromsgrove garden centre, but thankfully dry throughout.

Eight riders.

The route is here. 

Desco Lounge, Shirley

Cool, cloudy, dry morning for a ride to Shirley via the Stratford canal.  Parts of the towpath are still wet and muddy, particularly between the exit for Yardley Wood Road and the Drawbridge pub.

Eleven riders.

The route is here.

King's Heath park

A good turnout on a cold wet morning, which unfortunately didn't improve.  In addition to persistent rain, we were challenged by an extensive flood where the path from the Stratford canal meets Chinn brook, just off Yardley Wood Road, an area we have never before seen flooded.  Three of us had to retreat from deep water.  The remaining seven avoided a soaking and the group diverted via the road and a shortened route to King's Heath park.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

A dry windy morning for a ride to Beckett's Farm.

The route is here,

The Lounge, Alvechurch

Light drizzle when we started, quite heavy rain on the way home, so a shorter return route than usual via Hopwood hill from the roundabout at the junction with Bittell Road.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

Lizzie's Farm

 15 out on sunny and mild morning. The route is here

Starbucks, Maypole

The weather forecast had warned of rain, but we weren't expecting quite what we got.  Two riders retired when we were caught in a violent hail squall in Stirchley.  The remaining six battled through continuous rain and a strong freezing wind in hopes of getting to Beckett's Farm.  This plan was abandoned in Yardley Wood in favour of a shorter route to Starbucks.  

Within a mile of home the rain stopped, the wind dropped and the sun came out.

The route is here.

Starbucks Maypole

Nine out on much colder than of late morning to Starbucks.  Managed to miss most of the rain. 

The route is here

The Wave, Earlswood

A mild dry morning for a ride to the Wave at Earlswood, though still mud and puddles in the lanes.

Ten riders.

The route is here.  

Warley Woods

A sunny start, cloudy later, for a ride to the café at Warley Woods golf club.

Fifteen riders.

The route is here.

The Potting Shed

A mild dry breezy morning for a ride to the Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash, the long way round.

Twelve riders.

The route is here,

Desco Lounge, Shirley

A new destination for the Saturday group, but familiar to Wednesday riders.  A dry day, though there were still muddy stretches on the towpath towards the Drawbridge.

Fourteen riders.

The route is here.

Arrow Valley

A cold misty start for a ride to Arrow Valley, and not much improvement until the afternoon turned out bright and sunny - which was after we got home.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Costa Coffee, city centre

After rain early in the morning, we had a dry but very cold ride to Costa Coffee in the city centre.

Eight riders.

The route is here.

Rickyard café, Romsley

A chilly damp morning for a ride to a new destination, Rickyard café in Romsley.  As rain set in, and following some debate about possibly shortening the route, eight out of ten pressed on and were rewarded by some long downhills, which compensated for the ups.

The route is here. 

Cannon Hill park

A frosty start and a cold bright morning for a ride to Cannon Hill park.

Eleven riders.

The route is here.

Water, water everywhere

A wet start to the day, more rain forecast, mud, puddles and flooding in the lanes.  General consensus was that the ride should be called off.

The Exchange, city centre

Twelve riders on an outing to the city centre, out via Harborne Walkway, back along the towpath.  

A mild cloudy morning.

The route is here.

The Lounge, Alvechurch

A damp start and a persistent light drizzle for most of the ride, with puddles, mud and full ditches in the lanes.  Comfortably mild for February, though.  

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Starbucks, Maypole

Extensive flooding at the bottom of Primrose Hill - the worst we've seen - led to a challenging diversion up Gay Hill Lane.  No rain today, but lanes were very muddy, with large puddles, after heavy rain at the end of the week.

Eleven riders.

The route is here.

Desco Lounge, Shirley

After heavy rain yesterday, it was cold and dry for a ride to Shirley.  There was, though, a lot of water in the lanes, including a sizeable flood at the bottom of Primrose Hill and fast-running streams down Icknield Street.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Waseley Hills

Signs of spring this morning, especially on the way home - mild, breezy, sunny, catkins in the hedges and an excellent view over the countryside from Frankley Hill Lane.

Eleven riders.

The route is here.

Bromsgrove garden centre

A cold start for a ride to Bromsgrove garden centre in Little Heath Lane, with a variation on our usual route.  Noticeably milder on the way home.

Ten riders.

The route is here.

Beckett's Farm

A chilly dry morning for an outing to Beckett's Farm.

Thirteen riders.

The route is here.

Wave café, Earlswood

A dry breezy ride to the Wave café at Earlswood craft centre.

Seven riders.

The route is here.

Warley Woods

After several days of frost and ice, another cold day with a biting wind.  Conditions were better than they were on Wednesday, when only two met at Rowheath for a ride, but there was still ice on the canal.  Roads and paths were dry, though, and we were pleased to get out.

Seven riders.

The route is here.

Starbucks Maypole

 Nine out on cold but sunny morning with dry roads. The route is here

Morso café, Alvechurch

A bright chilly day for a ride to Alvechurch.  At last, no rain, no flooding in the lanes and no deep puddles.

Nine riders.

The route is here.

The Potting Shed

Nine riders on a damp ride to the Potting Shed.  The weather was an improvement on yesterday's non-stop rain, but we had intermittent showers and there were deep puddles and some flooding in the lanes.

The route is here.