Asda, Barnes Hill

Fifteen riders on a largely off road route to Asda, Barnes Hill.  Cold clear day.

The route is here.

Cannon Hill Park

Thirteen riders on a bitterly cold ride to Cannon Hill park.  Milder on the return trip, but still cold, cloudy and dull.

The route is here.

Chat session

Instead of a ride, a meeting at Rowheath to discuss plans for rides in 2017 and to answer questions on bike maintenance, including a puncture repair demonstration from John P.

There was support for:

(i)  a monthly longer ride (in addition to the regular ride) on the first Saturday of the month, starting on 4th February

(ii)  a longer ride on the third Sunday of each month

(iii)  a car assisted ride.  Possible start points mentioned were Derbyshire and Rutland.

(iv)  a mid-week ride from Rowheath.  John B will investigate.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Eighteen riders on a mild damp day to the QE for coffee, via a route which took in Manor Farm and Victoria Parks.

The route is here.

King's Heath

Fifteen riders on the last outing of the year.  Following a longish delay caused by a puncture in the park between Yardley Wood Road and Trittiford Road, the planned destination of Digbeth was changed to King's Heath, via Moseley Bog.  

Weather milder than it has been recently - no frost or concerns about ice - but dull and damp.

The route is here.

Christmas Eve run to Barnes Hill

Nine riders out on a cold and windy morning but it managed to stay dry.  We went exploring in Kitwell Green which involved crossing a stream by stepping stones before we reached Senneleys Park and Asda for coffee and mince pies.  The return was via Bournebrook way and Selly Oak park.  The route is here

Cotteridge Village Inn for Christmas Lunch

16 riders out on a cold but bright morning for a pre-lunch ride to Cannon Hill Park.  Then a gentle ride on the River Rea route to the Cotteridge Village Inn where a further 10 joined us for lunch.  The route is here

John Tourt, wearing a full Santa outfit, took these atmospheric pictures in Cannon Hill and Calthorpe parks, which illustrate John B's comment that "Calthorpe park could have been Windsor Great Park - it looked idyllic".  Thanks to John B for the picture of the lunch.