South Birmingham cycle clubs

[Paraicj]

Hi all,

I'm a fairly solid cyclist, capable of a non-embarrassing pace for a few hours on a weekend morning. I've done cycles across Ireland (And back) and recently did a coast-to-coast here. I train on my own though, having moved to Moseley in South Birmingham a couple of months ago. Do any of you PH worthies have experience with local clubs in the area?

The big local(ish) clubs seems to be Beacon RCC and Birmingham Midlands CC, both pretty massive clubs. There are a few smaller groups, and others further north, like CC Giro.

I'd rather meet a smaller bunch of enthusiasts but I honestly am not sure where to start. I quite like getting out on my own but a group would obviously be a motivator.

[Marcellus]

I'd just turn up to one of their "club rides" and go from there.

I usually cycle with Daventry CC but as a club they don't ride on Saturdays and I've found that Leamington CC do so found out when their rides are and turned up for the appropriate one.

The good clubs usually say things like;
- Group A rides are 75/100miles at avg 18+
- group B rides are 50/75miles at 15/18mph
- group C rides are 50 miles at 12/15mph
- beginners rides are 25miles at <12mph

And then publish when each ride is.

[Paraicj]

I forgot that miles are still in use in the UK, I'm all about the KM. I can do the maths though!

Thanks, that's pretty helpful info, I'll have a look for intro rides.

Looking at those suggestions I'm notquite ready for an A cycle yet, but nearly!

Edited by Paraicj on Tuesday 17th May 13:37

[loudlashadjuster]

Paraicj said:

I forgot that miles are still in use in the UK, I'm all about the KM. I can do the maths though!

Thanks, that's pretty helpful info, I'll have a look for intro rides.

Looking at those suggestions I'm notquite ready for an A cycle yet, but nearly!

While it sounds like you know your capabilities, a club may insist you join one of the slower/slowest groups for the initial ride as they've only your word that you're good for the speed you claim you can do.

This is just insurance against wahoos rocking up thinking they are Wiggins who then get dropped on every climb, breaking the group pace up and ruining everyone's ride.

[Paraicj]

Oh absolutely, I'd never demand I drop in at the top. I'm happy to have a relaxing first week or two, although less happy if I find out I'm not as fit as I think...

[wobert]

I've a friend who rides with Redditch Escargots. I gather they are an informal group who meet up for rides in the area, nothing formal club wise though.

If you google them they have a presence on Strava and ridewithgps, so should contactable in some form....

[robpearson]

There used to be a group left from Birmingham City cycles before it went bump. I believe some of them still meet in the custard factory on a Saturday morning 7:15 AM ish. There are also rides from the Pinarello shop in the city centre on a Sunday morning. i don't know south birminghams bike groups well being from sutton coldfield, but Royal Sutton and CC Giro are good groups if you don't mind the travel. You could do a lot worse than following David Cox (@davidcox65) on Twitter. he might be able to point you in the correct direction. Believe he's current chairman of the CTC and is a thoroughly nice gent I worked with a while ago, lives on the south side of Brum.

[Paraicj]

robpearson said:

There used to be a group left from Birmingham City cycles before it went bump. I believe some of them still meet in the custard factory on a Saturday morning 7:15 AM ish. There are also rides from the Pinarello shop in the city centre on a Sunday morning. i don't know south birminghams bike groups well being from sutton coldfield, but Royal Sutton and CC Giro are good groups if you don't mind the travel. You could do a lot worse than following David Cox (@davidcox65) on Twitter. he might be able to point you in the correct direction. Believe he's current chairman of the CTC and is a thoroughly nice gent I worked with a while ago, lives on the south side of Brum.

That's really helpful, thanks Rob. I'll look him up and the rest too.

[HerrSchnell]

There are a series of group rides from Dynamic Rides in Hockley Heath on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings which you might want to look at:

http://dynamicrides.co.uk/pages/rides

It's about a ten mile ride from Moseley, I'm in Selly Park and will be joining their Saturday rides in a few weeks.

[Paraicj]

HerrSchnell said:

There are a series of group rides from Dynamic Rides in Hockley Heath on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings which you might want to look at:

http://dynamicrides.co.uk/pages/rides

It's about a ten mile ride from Moseley, I'm in Selly Park and will be joining their Saturday rides in a few weeks.

Hockley Heath is on one of my current loops, there are some nice roads round there. I'll have a look!

[Greendubber]

HerrSchnell said:

There are a series of group rides from Dynamic Rides in Hockley Heath on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings which you might want to look at:

http://dynamicrides.co.uk/pages/rides

It's about a ten mile ride from Moseley, I'm in Selly Park and will be joining their Saturday rides in a few weeks.

They sell good cake & coffee in there too

[HerrSchnell]

Paraicj said:

Hockley Heath is on one of my current loops, there are some nice roads round there. I'll have a look!

Good stuff, if you see a PH Jersey on a bearded guy with glasses give me a wave as you pass

[HerrSchnell]

Greendubber said:

They sell good cake & coffee in there too

The yoghurt flapjack thing is a personal favourite, it's about the only thing I can afford in there though...