The Tolkien Trail

Sky Ride Local in Birmingham

If you’re fairly confident on your bike and ready to broaden your cycling horizons, our Steady rides are ideal. At a comfortable pace, and possibly with some modest hills along the way, rides take place on mainly quiet roads with plenty of sights along the way. Rides are between 6 and 20 miles long, at a moderate pace of between 7 and 10 miles an hour.

This seven mile ride celebrates some of Britain's literature greats. Visit Sarehole Mill the childhood haunt of celebrated author JRR Tolkien. This and other local settings such as the Moseley Bog provided inspiration for 'Hobbitton' and 'The Shire' in his books - 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings'. This is a fantastic educational bike ride which showcases the cultural prowess of the West Midlands.

Additional Information

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
Please make sure your bike is in good working order and bring equipment with you to repair punctures, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait. 

Children under the age of 5 must be in a BSA approved child seat, trailer or tag-a-long.

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Kamran Asmat This is my first year as a SKY RIDE LEADER. I have been cycling for the past three years to keep myself fit & to explore Birmingham and its surrounding areas. Always enjoyd cycling around CANALS & PARKS.
  I do like Mountain and off road cycling.
  I currently have a mountain bike "Specialized Hardrock Comp". I use "Specialized Hemisphere Armadillo Tyre" for on & off road cycling.
• Gill Brook Hi, my name is Gill and I will be a ride leader on some of the rides this summer. I have 3 children who like to cycle, and I love cycling myself. I cycle to work each day, cycle for leisure and also compete in triathlons in my spare time.
• Mitchell Davis Hi everybody my name is Mitch.
  I got into cycling four years also ago, and never looked back. I started when Skyride Local was formed. It is a great way to get back on your bike and involve your family, as my kids enjoy the many rides they are still doing. I enjoy road riding and going off road getting really muddy.
  "Now I have the pleasure of being a Ride Leader"
  I look forward to meeting you all.
• Gareth Somers Hello Fellow Sky Riders
  After many years of cycling for fun, in 2013 I joined the Skyride team.
  I came back to cycling some several years ago with an 8 mile Sunday morning ride. Then I truly got the bug after several bikes later! ridding London to Paris three times, taking part in The Argos Cape Town also in the Dragon in Wales. I love being out on my bike in all weather especially in the sun in Southern France. It will be great to see you out on a your bike on a Skyride even If the weather is bad then its out on the mountain bike getting muddy!!
  I never finish first, but I will always have a big smile on my face, hope you enjoy your Skyride as much as the ride leaders do!
  Really looking forward to spreading the word of how much fun cycling can be, lets hope the sun shines this summer on our Sky Rides!!
  
  All the best, ride safe, looking forward to meeting up with everyone on your next Sky Ride.
  
  Gareth
• Steven Holland I used to cycle a great deal as a young man but stopped in my early twenties. I got a fairly average Mountain bike when I was forty and have got back into cycling again. I like to ride on the local canal network in Birmingham for exercise. On a personal afternoon cycle I will travel 10 to 20 miles (mostly off road). On a full day out I may cycle 30 to 40 miles. I assited on several rides in Birmingham last year.