Beckett's Farm, Hollywood

Richard reports that everyone kept up well on a sometimes challenging ride which was a little longer than the normal Saturday ride.  

They were lucky to get seats in a very busy Beckett's Farm.

Seventeen riders.

The route is here.

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Costa Coffee, city centre

An enjoyable ride to the city centre via Bournville, the university, Chad Valley, Edgbaston reservoir and the Soho loop.  On the return Richard led us through the city centre via NCN route 5 and on to the Rea Valley.

Eight riders. 

The route is here.

Two rides today

(i)  Regular Saturday ride

Richard led six riders via the Stratford canal and Billesley common to the café in Kings Heath Park.  Return via Cannon Hill Park, the dental hospital and a very quiet Selly Oak High Street.  A cold start but warmed up later.

The route is here.

(ii)  Longer ride

Nick led a group of six on a longer ride to Wedge's bakery, near Hockley Heath.  Quite cold, cloudy and breezy, until the sun appeared as we arrived home.

The route is here.

The Potting Shed, Lydiate Ash

A cold start, slightly warmer and pleasantly brighter when the sun came out.  

An enjoyable ride via some new lanes, including Chapman's Hill and the bridge over the motorway, which is an alternative to Dayhouse Bank on the way to Bell Heath.

Six riders.

The route is here.

Morrison's, Five Ways

A fine, sunny day.  Steve led a group of thirteen to Morrison's at Five Ways, mostly via paths and alleyways, including an interesting route through Selly Oak and Muntz Park to the university.  On the return we joined NCN 5 through the city centre and on to the Rea valley.

The route is here.

Clent garden centre

A hilly ride on a bright sunny day, with lovely views from the high points.  Nice long run down St Kenelm's Pass and Vine Lane on the way out, followed by Winwood Heath Lane on the way back.  This is where the Beacon club holds its hill climb competition.  Today everyone on an ordinary bike got off and walked.

Six riders.

The route is here.

Jewellery Quarter

A mostly familiar route along the Harborne walkway, round the reservoir and along the canal, but with a diversion from the Soho Loop to the Jewellery Quarter for the coffee stop.

Nineteen riders.

The route is here.