The Warwickshire Wanderer

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 fairly challenging 24 .5 mile tour of the quiet, rolling Warwickshire country lanes. Starting and finishing at Brueton Park near Solihull, the route takes you south west on quiet lanes to Tamworth in Arden with the first pub stop at The Bell, before continuing to the second canalside stop near Kingswood. Then you'll savour more of Warwickshire's lanes, beloved of many a West Midlands bike rider, before returning to Brueton Park for the finish.

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

• Mir Zaman Hello everyone,
  
  I've been involved with these rides both as a participant and as Ride Leader for a few years now. I enjoy cycling in general to keep fit and try to include a long ride at least once in the week.
  
  As for this ride - I look forward to meeting you and sharing the same cycling experience. We'll have some fun out on two wheels, get to know some new areas or two and embrace the early morning 'fresh air' for a change...
  
  Ride well with care and remember to make a point of being 'seen' if riding on the road..!!!
• 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.
• Trevor Ellis Hi. As one of your ride leaders, I am part of a team to make a safe and fun environment where we can all learn and share skills to become more confident cyclists.
  I have been cycling a long time and became involved with SkyRides in 2010, as a rider, to regain fitness after a period of illness, and to learn new routes in the company of others. Some of the riders I met have gone on to take part in longer Charity Challenge events and Sportives. My personal goal was to ride Birmingham to Oxford for the Jennifer Trust, which was made easier by the miles put in on SkyRides.
  This is my fourth year as a British Cycling trained Ride Leader, and I look forward to meeting you and sharing the experience of your booked ride.

Rider Comments on the Route

1. Philip Eddington Sunday 13th July
   
2. Lyndley Jenks Saturday 12th July
   
3. Hiren Lad Sunday 22nd June
   Great route, a few ups and downs, definitely deservers the challenging title. Also I had excellent ride leaders, I was struggling at points and someone stayed with me until we caught up to the others.
4. Gary Barton Sunday 1st September
   This was my first skyride and I can totally recommend it. Elaine (slatter) was a first class leader, she kept the group at a steady pace but made sure every one could keep up and helped make it a fun afternoon. The fun and banter between the leaders and the group was brilliant.