Routes starting in Solihull

Adieu
Adieu Posts: 83
edited August 2008 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Does anyone know any bike routes which start in Solihull/Shirley West Midlands which keep clear of busy traffic?

I love riding my bike but the thing which keeps me from doing it often is my lack of known routes to ride.

Any help? :oops:

Comments

  • Gary D
    Gary D Posts: 431
    ADIEU,
    I would suggest seeking out your local Club (Solihull CC?) and joining it. Get to know people and try and find someone with local knowledge that will go out with you and show you the favoured local routes. Or you could join in the weekend Club Run if you felt confident enough. Solihull are quite a big and active club I think and are sure to have something to suit you.

    You will be amazed at how many quiet lanes there are within a very short distance from your house. In Solihull/Shirley you are near to Earlswood, Ullenhall, Wootton Wawen etc. That whole area is criss crossed with quiet lanes.

    When I first started, the mate I went out with had lived in the area for years and showed me the area. There were lanes we used within 2 miles of my house that I didn't even know were there or wouldn't have ever ventured down unless on a bike. I also venture over in your direction occasionally from Redditch!

    Gary.
    Fungus The Muffin MAn wrote:
    Oh and I feel like I've been raped by an Orangutan :shock: And I've got legs like Girders :lol:
  • Johnpwr
    Johnpwr Posts: 47
    I'd also suggest the Solihull CC, but then I'm a member :)

    Here's a link to the Sunday club run info http://www.solihullcc.org.uk/club_run_info.html

    If there's anywhere in particular that you want to head for, I can probably make some suggestions.

    Best of luck
  • turbo_hamster
    turbo_hamster Posts: 122
    Try www.cyclesolihull.org.uk/

    They organise rides and also publish routes around the Solihull area.

    The leaflets are downloadable. My favourite to date is a 15 mile route (called M1) from Asda in Shirley heading west through Hollywood and Forhill then looping round up Weatheroak Hill.

    The return route takes you down Tythebarn Lane, where you have a choice of refreshment stops. One is at a football club - there are signs for a cafe, where you can buy great bacon sandwiches and a cup of tea at no-frills prices. A bit futher down Tythebarn there is an African-themed garden centre. If you want a more upmarket cake-stop, this is the one for you.
  • Saturn
    Saturn Posts: 628
    I recently rode the Hampton-in-Arden audax organised by Solihull CC and their members seemed like a friendly bunch with a good knowledge of the lanes round there so it would be worth contacting them.

    The audax route is at http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/157552 the outgoing (eastern) leg to Market Bosworth and then across the top to Newton Regis were both very nice and mainly quiet. The return leg down past Tanworth was quite busy though.

    For shorter rides, the lanes in the triangle to the south of Solihull bounded by the A3400, A4141/4177 & A4189 are lovely. Eg. head down to Baddesley Clinton, take Haywood Lane down to Shrewley, optional cafe stop at Hatton Locks cafe (listed on http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/resources/cafes/index.html) and return via Lowsonford, Bushwood and Packwood.

    Going further south, explore the lanes around Norton Lindsey, Snitterfield, Aston Cantlow etc. Going a little further you could pick up this route to Wellesbourne airfield from Lowsonford http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/144722

    As others have suggested, west of the A3400 lanes around Earlswood, Tanworth and Ullenhall are worth exploring.

    Edit - South Birmingham CTC organise regular rides from the Solihull area if you want something more leisurely than you might find with a club such as Solihull http://www.southernsectionctc.org.uk/
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