The Great Barr Express

Sky Ride Local in Birmingham

You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to know your way around a bike and be fairly fit to take part in our Challenging rides. If you’re comfortable riding with other people and fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you. They start at around twenty miles long, and are paced at between 11 and 12 miles an hour.

A scenic, rolling ride from Great Barr along country lanes, returning through Sutton Park to stop at the beautiful Bracebridge Pool. At nearly 24 miles, this ride will delight the bike-riding enthusiast whilst the stunning views across the city and surrounding countryside will provide plenty of excuses for a quick stop, as will the numerous refreshment opportunities along the way, with the Boathouse Restaurant in Sutton Park a highlight. The route largely follows country lanes, with shale paths through Sutton Park, so is very road bike friendly.

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. 

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Keith Worrall Hi my name is Keith. I really enjoyed the sky ride programme last year and I am looking forward to the new season. Seeing the established riders and hoping to meet some new ones.I have been a ride leader for many years under various schemes. I know the Black country/Birmingham areas well. I look forward to seeing you on a ride soon.
• Dean Holland Hi everyone, from Essex originally and now living in the gorgeous West Midlands. (By the way I don't have fake orange tan and white teeth lol ) I dusted off my mountain bike after the Olympics and registered and took part in many Sky Ride local rides. I had always been a confident rider but life kind of got in the way so didn't cycle as much as I would have liked. I was soon completing 30 miles on the mountain bike and have now purchased a road bike. I cycle for fun and fitness and have lost 2. 5 stone since last summer. Sky Ride is a great way to get back into cycling. I loved it that much I became a Sky Ride Leader. We look forward to seeing you.
• Barry Cooke Hi
  I love to cycle and own 2 bikes,my main bike is a road bike but also love a bit of mountain biking in Cannock Chase . As a child I rode my bike everywhere but it wasn't till about 4 years ago I got the bug back and now im hooked. Ive done sportives and charity rides and im planning to ride my first 100 miles later in the year with a fellow sky rider, if i can get the training in . My first year with sky rides I did 13 and loved it so much, meeting new faces making new friends, riding places I never knew where out there, I decided to become a Sky ride Leader and give back to others the benefits I gained and the confidence it gave to me to ride more. I have also just qualified as a route planner for sky so looking to get some new routes planned in the area, also im an off road leader with some exciting routes coming soon and with the ride strong plus+ coming your way there's no better time to join me,so Im hoping to meet loads more people this year and share the enjoyment of riding in a group no matter what the weather, so lets get riding and see you all soon.

Rider Comments on the Route

1. Oliver Mihailovic Sunday 23rd March
   Good ride, well organised. Steady pace throughout. Route suitable for riders of all abilities.
2. Paul Brigden Sunday 23rd March
   A good ride Quite steady going Not very challenging approximately 1500ft climbing
3. George McLaughlin Sunday 23rd March
   This is incorrect. I clicked on "Rate" and then I had a message saying I had rated zero. Website playing up I think.
4. Enroy Vickers Sunday 23rd March