The Exchange Broad Street

 7 out on a damp morning to the Exchange via the canal. Back via Edgbaston Reservoir which is still extremely low. The route is here

Ride cancelled

In view of a very wet morning the ride was cancelled. 

Kings Heath Park Cafe

 14 out on a mild and bright morning for ride to Kings Heath Park, a destination we have not visited for some time, and last ride for Liz before her move to Wales.  The route is here

Alvechurch Community Cafe

 Sign the weather improved today when 12 turned up for a ride to the Lounge at Alvechurch. Pleasant sunshine and lighter winds meant a less stressful and warmer ride along a well tested route. On the route back 3 of the group braved the footpath up to Cofton Church while the rest took the road fearing boggy conditions along the path. However, the path, except for a couple of places, was comparatively dry. The route is here

Lizzie's Farm Lydiate Ash

 13 out on a mild but windy morning. The route is here

Costa Coffee Brindley Place

 Just like Saturday a very wet start to our ride. 5 riders out and taking in the conditions we decided to take a short ride to Costa in Birmingham almost duplicating the run from Saturday. A drier but colder ride back along the canal. The route is here

Costa Coffee Gas Street Basin

 John led a group of 5 brave souls on a cold and very wet morning via Edgbaston Reservoir which was at the lowest level ever seen!! to the regular Costa. Returning via the Worcester Canal. The route is here

Wednesday 22 October Sandwell Aquatics Centre

 6 of us out today to a new destination: Kanopy café within Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Fine weather with some sunshine. Very good coffee. We returned via Woodgate valley and some of Bournbrook walkway. Led by Richard O. The route is here 

Starbucks Maypole

John led a group of 12 to the Maypole on a cloudy and cool morning the route is here

Earlswood Garden Centre

 Ten set out for a ride to Earlswood Garden Centre. A chilly day but at least dry. The route is here

Waseley Hills

 14 met up at Rowheath on a cool and cloudy day but only 13 went on ride led by Richard A on a different route through Northfield Park and via the old West Works construction site at Longbridge then onto the river Rea Path up to Waseley. The route back varied as two groups went back separately. One route is here

Wednesday 8 October Costa at Dickens Heath

 Nine riders ventured out today for a ride to Costa at Dickens Heath. A cloudy but mild day with little wind. The route is here

Saturday 4 October Desco Lounge

 Eight riders braved the elements today. We were almost blown to the Desco Lounge in Shirley but had to fight our way back against a fierce headwind. Luckily no heavy rainfall which threatened on the way back..The route is here

The Deli Belbroughton

 After a dismal start with overcast skies and the threat of rain 9 riders set out to The Deli at Belbroughton. After a short time the sun came out and it became a very pleasant morning allowing us to sit outside for coffee and cakes. An experimental way back to try and cut down on mileage.

See map for details here

Saturday 27 September Alvechurch Community Cafe

 Ten turned up today and agreed to go on a slightly longer Saturday ride to The Lounge at Alvechurch. Another brisk day with a fair headwind. A rather different route to Alvechurch using certain lanes impassable in muddy weather. The route is here

The Wave Earlswood

 Eleven riders set out to The Wave at Earlswood. A dry but chilly morning.  Nice to meet Nick's Solihull group by Earlswood Lakes station. Still very low water levels in both lakes. The route is here

The MAC Cannon Hill

12 out on mild but cloudy morning for ride to Cannon Hill.  Had some rain on the way back. The route is here

Waseley Country Park

 Only three out today on a mild enough morning riding into a damp head wind to Waseley with a short, wind-assisted return. Richard. The route is here

Smethwick Park

Led by Richard O. Today's ride was a bit longer than usual owing to the unexpectedly dry and sunny weather. 9 riders today. The route is here 

Alvechurch Community Cafe

 Today's ride was to the popular Community cafe at Alvechurch. Nine riders on a breezy and almost dry morning. This week's ride included a section of the Birmingham - Worcester Canal from Bournville to the Kings Norton Tunnel.

This route to Alvechurch hadn't been done for a long time. The route is here

Lizzie's Farm Lydiate Ash

A chilly start today but 11 riders soon warmed up to a trip to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash. 

A slightly different route than usual as can be seen by the attached map. Staff at the Farm as welcoming

as ever and even though they were very busy thanked us for our continued support throughout the year.

Nice to see that many of the group tried the home made cakes and basked in some warm sunshine. The route is  here

Wednesday 3 August - Warley Woods

 Despite a very dismal weather forecast, which put off a number of people, 6 riders braved the elements for a short ride to Warley Woods. In the end although a little breezy at times it was dry and even sunny. The route was a familiar one. The route is here

Saturday 30 August - Costa Brindley Place

 A ride to Costa in Birmingham. A blustery day but thankfully no rain. 12 riders on a familiar route to many. The route is here

Bromsgrove Garden Centre

 Today's ride to The Bromsgrove Garden Centre, Little Heath Lane,  started out with the threat of torrential downpours. Fortunately 'except for a few showers, we got home before the first heavy rain. A familiar route taking in the Lickey Hills and Barnt Green. Nine riders today. The route is here

Two Mugs Cafe Shirley

12 out on cloudy day which got warmer. Richard took us on a mystery tour which ended up at the Two Mugs Cafe. The route is here

Packwood NT to meet up with John Bennett's 90k ride

 14 riders and friends met up at Packwood NT specially arranged by John to support him on his 90k charity ride to celebrate his birthday. Cool morning with some drizzle. The route is here

The ride was being covered by ITV Central News to be shown either today or tomorrow.

Waseley Country Park

 14 Out on a cooler day than of late good to see Richard and Jane up from Somerset. The route is here

Potting Shed Lydiate Ash

 Eleven riders out today for a ride to The Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash. A very warm and humid day. At the foot of Waseley Hills the group had the choice of the slightly longer and hillier ride over Waseley or the shorter route avoiding the climb over Waseley. Four opted for the the longer route as Sandra led the rest on the shorter route via Waseley Road. The routes are here and here.

 Next Wednesday 's ride [20th] will be in support of John Bennett '90' challenge. We intend to meet up with John at his first stop at Packwood House [NT]. Have coffee there and return after seeing John off on the next leg of his challenge. Round trip of approx 30 miles. To meet his schedule we will need to leave Rowheath at 9.00. There won't be a 10.00 o'clock ride.

Saturday 9 August Desco Lounge Shirley

 Eleven out this morning on a bright but breezy morning. A familiar route to regulars. The route is here

Alvechurch Community Cafe

On an ideal cycling day with light winds and pleasant sunshine we went to The Lounge at Alvechurch. The route took

us along rather rough tracks and bumpy towpaths but the views and wildlife we saw made up for the discomfort.

Again the staff at The Lounge went out of their way to welcome us. With the nearby Co-op being refurbished

there was limited room to accommodate the 12 of us outside. However, with extra chairs provided by the volunteers in

the café we had a rather longer than usual stop for coffee and bread pudding.  The route is Here

Costa Brindley Place

 8 out on a cooler but sunny morning for a ride via the University, QE and Edgbaston reservoir which was very very low. The route is  here

Wednesday 30/7/25 Earlswood Garden Centre

Today's ride was led by Richard Otteridge owing to Richard's bike being unexpectedly off the road. It was an "abnormal" route, but avoided  Weatheroak Hill and took in some climbs on Icknield Street. The return route was not exactly strictly adhered to: some of the group went one way  back to get home sooner and some went another. Warmer and drier than expected. Twelve out today. the route is here 

Saturday 26/7/25 Ride to the Mac Cannon Hill

Todays ride was to Cannon Hill Park. 11 riders on a mild but showery morning. The route is here

Waseley Country Park

 Richard led a ride to Waseley Cafe today by a novel route. 10 riders on a muggy overcast day. Some slightly more challenging hills than usual but everyone managed.

Partial route here starting a Manor Farm Park. 

Starbucks Maypole

 At last a wet day!!! 9 riders including John Bennett (who is in training for his 90 km charity ride to celebrate his 90th Birthday) had a warm but damp ride to Starbucks at the Maypole. The route is here

Alvechurch Community Cafe

Today's ride was to The Lounge in Alvechurch. As welcoming as ever helping us to set up tables and chairs outside. Conditions became warmer for the ride back. Ten riders out. The route is here

Bartley Green Sailing Club

 8 out on a very hot day to Bartley Sailing club where we sat inside out of the sun for refreshments watching the sailing. The route is here

Wednesday 9 July The Wave

 Jane led a ride to the Wave at Earlswood. 6 out on a beautiful sunny day with dappled sunlight in the lanes. We sat outside at the Wave under a tree. Usual route. 

Lizzie's Farm Lydiate Ash

 13 out on warm but humid morning. Good to see Sue Payne out with us again. The route is here

Wednesday 2nd July Needle Museum

 After the heat of the previous rides it was a fresher feel today to the Needle Museum at Redditch. A pleasant stop in their grounds before the climb back to Kings Norton and Rowheath in brilliant sunshine. 8 out. The route is here

Saturday 28 June - JJ's cafe Drakes Cross

 Ten riders set off today on a ride to the Community Cafe at Drake's Cross on the Alcester Road. A short ride due to the very warm conditions and the very gusty breeze. The route is here

Ambleside Garden Centre

 Phil led the group to today's intended destination The Wave at Earlswood. Unfortunately when we got there it was undergoing a deep clean and therefore closed. We then headed for Ambleside Garden Centre. Not ideal for bike storage. Thanks to Frank for staying with the bikes while we had coffee. There were 10 riders on a warm but breezy morning. The route is here

Warley Woods

10 out on very warm and humid morning. Had a spot of rain at the cafe. The route is  here

The Potting Shed

Wednesday's ride was to The Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash. A very warm day so it was decided at Waseley Hills to avoid the climb up to the top of the hill and go around past Lizzie's Farm. Very busy location with a lot of people outside. Eight riders. The route is here

Desco Lounge Shirley

 Today's ride was to the Desco Lounge, Shirley via the Stratford Canal.

Eight riders out on a bright but breezy day.. The route is here

Wednesday 11 June The Lounge Alvechurch

10 riders out to a popular destination on a warm dry but breezy day. The route is here

Saturday 7 June West Smethwick Park

 Only three on the ride today led by Richard O to West Smethwick Park Pavilion café via canals on the way out and parks and back streets on the way back. It rained as we sat down for coffee inside the cafe and stopped just as we came out and then the sun shone as well. Richard   The route is here

Wednesday 4/6/25. Dickens Heath

 Four riders went to Costa  Dickens Heath  on a warm and windy day. Led by Philomena and Bob. The route went via Shirley. But map not available.

Waseley

 11 out on warm morning with some sun. Went round the small lake just off the new cycle lane up to Rednal. The route is here

Earlswood Garden Centre

Just 4 riders out today on our ride to Earlswood Garden Centre. With the threat of showers decided to take a more direct route. Quite breezy.

Dodged the heavy shower we had while having coffee. the route is here 

Lizzies Farm

 Today's ride was to Lizzie's Farm at Lydiate Ash. A familiar route on a dull but mild morning. Eleven riders out. Stopped to complete a questionnaire at the Middlemore Road entrance to Rea Valley route for Sustrans. They wanted to know how we used the section from Pope's Lane to Middlemore Road and whether it was well maintained. I hope they take on board some of the suggestions and promote the route's upkeep. Special emphasis was put on the potentially dangerous crossing from Middlemore Road to Station Road. the route is here

Wednesday 21st May. Bromsgrove Garden Centre.

Today's ride was to Bromsgrove Garden Centre, Little Heath Lane, Bromsgrove. Seven riders started out on a chilly and dull day. However, the sun soon broke through and we were able to sit outside for coffee and cake in warm sunshine. We had decided to do the easier route by returning practically the same route as we came. Luckily, although dark clouds threatened, we missed the heavy downpours at 1.00.Nice to see Frank back on his brand new bike . the route is here

 

Saturday 17 May 2025 - Two rides - Waseley and Sutton Park.

Two rides today. 

Only two out on ride to Waseley. Cold and cloudy morning. 

Sutton Park ride - only 7 riders led by Nick with a stop at Costa at Wyndley Leisure Centre and then at Blackroot Bistro. The route is here 

The Wave Earlswood Wednesday 14 May 2025

 7 riders on a sunny morning with a cool breeze went to The Wave by the usual route. 

Two rides today - Bartley Sailing Club and Wolverley

Two rides today - 10 out on a warm and sunny morning. Lovely sitting out at the reservoir watching the boating activity. The route is here

Three out on longer ride led by Richard O  to Gil's Café in Wolverley. We were kept waiting for a VERY long time for our food. The owner apologised for the delay. When we came to pay, he said there was no charge as we shouldn't have had to wait so long. Plenty of country lanes and sunshine and two or three short bits of v. busy road here and there. The route is here

The Stables Illshaw Heath

 Today's was a regular route to the Stables.  Having picked up Sandra at the top of Redhill and meeting John T at the stables.  10 riders returned after having sausage sandwiches, cakes and coffee. A good cycling day with dry and bright conditions and a light breeze. The route is here

Two rides today. :Bluebell run to Chaddesley Corbett

 John led 6 Out on a surprisingly cold and very windy morning to see the bluebells in Chaddesley Woods and Great Farley Woods with a stop at Rowberries in Chaddesley where we met up with Roger Aide who we have not seen for a long time.  The route is here

Jane led a group of 9 riders to the Mac Cannon Hill, the weather was warm enough to sit outside. The route is here

The Lounge Alvechurch

 

Today's ride was a slightly different route to The Lounge in Alvechurch. Eight riders on a beautiful day with a nice cooling breeze and pleasant sunshine. The route is here

Costa Brindley Place

 15 out on a cool and cloudy morning, but brightened up later, to Brindley Place.  It was good to see Jane and Richard who were up here from Somerset.  Helen had problems with her new bike, fortunately not far from Ribble who were able to sort it out for her while we went for coffee at Costa.  The route is here

The Wave Earlswood

 Philomena led 3 in a ride to  Wave Cafe at Earlswood. The day started damp and cold and un fortunately didn't improve much  as the morning went on, however we avoided any actual rain. The route is here

Waseley Country Park

 Cool, windy but dry morning for ride to Waseley. 9 out. The route is here 

No ride today

 

No ride today due to weather conditions and people availability,

 

Lizzie's Farm Lydiate Ash

 Nine riders to Lizzie's Farm on a clear and mostly sunny morning. Mathew might have found it hard going on the way back as he was stuck in top gear all the way. The route is here

Sanders Park Bromsgrove

 

Today's ride was to Sanders Park in Bromsgrove. Another very sunny day but a significant head wind on the way back. Ten riders. The route is here

Becketts Farm Cafe

 9 out for ride led by Rick to Becketts Farm. Brisk wind but sunny. The route is here

The Wave Earlswood

7 out on a breezy but sunny day and we were able to sit out in the garden at the Wave to enjoy coffee and cakes. The route is here 

Wasley Country Park

 7 rode to Waseley on a cold but sunny day. Ride led by Jane  with a detour around Bartley Green Reservoir due to a road closed by an accident. The route is here

Lower Park Fishery Bordesley

6 came with me on a rollercoaster ride down (and up!) Icknield Street on mainly quiet roads and the bridle path to Longbridge after a wobbly start where I got lost in King's Norton (!) owing to mixing up routes on my satnav. After a cool start, it was quite warm by the end. Richard O.  The route is  here

Saturday 22 March Alvechurch Community Cafe

 Jane led 10 riders to the Community Cafe in Alvechurch. The weather was pleasantly warm with the odd glimpse of sun. The route is here

The Wave Earlswood

 Philomena led a ride to The Wave cafe. Welcome sunshine for a change and 7 riders out. The route is here

Starbucks Maypole

 Two rides today. 

11 out on ride to the Maypole. Cold and cloudy morning but dry. The route is here

Longer ride was taken by Richard T to Hartlebury with train assist to Bromsgrove. 

The Potting Shed Lydiate Ash

Back to the cold but thankfully dry day for cycling. Eight riders out on a regular route to The Potting Shed at Lydiate Ash. Another Egret spotted along the Rea Valley pathway at Longbridge. The route is here

Bartley Sailing Club

 16 out on a lovely warm and sunny morning. Sat outside for coffee. The route is here

Desco Lounge Shirley

Today's ride was to the Desco Lounge Shirley. The sun encouraged 10 riders to turn up. A pleasant and casual ride with bird life in abundance. On return saw a cormorant with unusual markings at Trittiford Lake. Matthew reckons it could be a great cormorant 

the route is here

Warley Woods

 12 out on a sunny but cool morning to Warley Woods cafe where some sat outside. The route is here

Lizzie's Farm Lydiate Ash and Bodenham Arboretom.

 

Two rides today

The longer ride went to Bodenham Arboretom starting at 9.30. 5 riders led by Richard Otteridge on a very pleasant morning. The Route is here

For a pleasant change the weather was ideal for a ride to Lizzies Farm where it was even warm enough to sit outside. Only 5 riders as a longer ride had also gone out before us

The route is here

Wednesday 19 February - Alvechurch

Four riders set off on another cold and dismal day to Redditch but had to curtail our ride at Alvechurch due to a puncture and deteriorating weather. 

The route is here

Costa Pebble Mill

 Five out on a cold wet morning for a short ride to a new destination at Pebble Mill by the Dental Hospital. the route is here

Earlswood Garden Centre

 Another cold, damp and dismal day for a ride to Earlswood Garden Centre. Six riders braved the elements. Look forward to a bit of sunshine and warmth on a ride.

The route is here

Waseley Country Park

 10 riders out on a very cold morning rode the river Rea route up to Waseley for coffee. The route is  here

The Potting Shed

5 riders cycled to the Potting Shed on another very cold day. Decided to go the shorter route as it was rather icy still in some of the country lanes.

The Route is here

The MAC Cannon Hill Park

 On a cold and grey morning 9 riders rode along the canal and through Calthorpe Park to the MAC. The route is here

The Wave Earlswood

Better cycling weather today brought out 7 riders. A cold, clear, crisp day with little wind. A route that took us to the Wave Cafe at Earlswood. The route is here

Alvechurch

Very cold today only two riders braved the elements to ride to Alvechurch using the normal route.

Earlswood Garden Centre

 On a very cold morning surprisingly 6 riders met up and had a slightly longer and faster ride to Earlswood Garden Centre. The route is here

The Exchange Broad Street

 The first Wednesday ride of the new year to the Exchange in Birmingham. A gentle ride to ease us in as we had not been out on the bike since before Christmas due to the bad weather. Four riders along a familiar route in bright and breezy conditions. The route is here

Walk to Bournville

 There was no ride today or last Saturday as weather was cold, misty  and roads icy but seven met up at Bournville Garden Centre today after walking down from Rowheath.  Hope next week will be better.