Local Knowledge Lickey Hills/Bromsgrove area

aguesty1

Hi all,

I'm currently working away at Longbridge in Birmingham and staying in Marlbrook just outside of Birmingham. I'm going to be staying over 4 nights a week until August, so basically want to get out and ride but other than the commute to work I don't know the area at all.

Lickey hills has been mentioned but again not sure where to start.

I've heard Clent and Wyre are good.

Problem is without any knowledge, I'm struggling to find my way round. If you have any advice or experience of the area it would be great if you could share. Any map extracts/routes would be even better!

Looking for nice natural singletrack with technically sections.

Thanks

Andy

aguesty1

No local knowledge then guys and girls?

Come on people just a bit of friendly advice needed before I'm working down there 4 nights a week, keep me out of mischief!

Cheers

Andy

waby1234

Hey Andy

I went for a wander around Lickey Hills today - there are some bridleways and various tracks and trails throughout the area. I'm not sure if there are any restrictions on riding these at all but I'd imagine the bridleways are fair game? There are a couple of 'trails' - a 3/4 mile, a 1 mile, and a 7 mile, and the 7 mile trail was almost deserted earlier today, just a few dog walkers around. The trails don't appear particularly technical and in places were very boggy/wet. There are loads of narrow trails off into the woods which had a few cycle tracks on them so it could be worth exploring. A couple of areas were closed off due to a DEFRA plant disease clearance pro gramme of some kind.

I've not been to Clent yet, but this looks like it has some info - http://www.moredirt.co.uk/trail/West-Mi ... Hills/496/

Hope that helps a bit anyway. There are also loads of canals around Birmingham that can be cycled. I use the section from Kings Norton in south Birmingham to Worcester. Take a look at http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/ ... -worcester for more info. You can drop on in plenty of places - it's pretty good around Hopwood/Alvechurch. I think you need a free printable permit to cycle on the canal towpaths.

Cheers

aguesty1

Cheers Waby appreciate the advice, got my bike all ready to put in my car in the morning, I'll probably have a look at Clent tomorrow night the Lickey on my ride home from work on Tuesday, should make the commute home a bit more interesting!

Thanks

Andy

waby1234

No worries! I'd be interested to hear how you get on at Clent.

Cheers

aguesty1

Waby,

I'll let you know about Clent, won't be tonight as I feel goosed, probably the fact I left my house at 4.30am!

Andy