Eleven of us set off to the midlands for a long weekend of cycling. The weather forecast was poor with heavy rain predicted, we were not sure what kind of area we would be cycling through or how it would work out. As it happens we had a great time, the weather improved and the countryside was lovely, lots of blossom filled lanes and reasonable quiet roads, though very low on café stops, so sadly we didn’t get to eat much cake. It seemed like all the cottages, barns and small farms had been upgraded and were hiding behind massive gateways that would not have looked out of place at Buckingham Palace, with CCTV and keypad entry. The area is fairly flat with only a few gentle uphills which made very pleasant cycling.
Dorothy and I arrived at our base for the next 4 nights, the Premier Inn Balsall Common at lunch time on Thursday the weather was warm and sunny, so we decided to make the most of the sunshine and had a short meander around the local lanes.
On Friday the weather was wet and windy so 3 of us caught the train to Coventry spending the day sight seeing. The cathedral is well worth a visit, met up with Jim and Jackie at lunch time then went to see Lady Godiva ride around the clock tower, followed by a walk on the canal bank. Most of Coventry was destroyed in the WWII bombing but there are a few old interesting buildings that survived. Met up with the rest of the party for a meal at the Premier Inn Beefeater to plan the weekend’s routes.
Saturday dawned fine and sunny so as planned 11 of us set of for Meriden to find the cycle quest clue in the ancient town cross and to see the cyclist memorial also on the village green. The fitter ones (Dorothy, Sandra and Claire) left us to do a longer loop the remaining 8 cycled north through Kingsbury lakes and back via the maze of lanes going soft to muddy at times. The weather remained kind to us, no rain. Distance around 36 miles. We met up at a local pub for an evening meal.
Sunday: Again the weather was kind to us cooler but fine and little wind. The 3 fit ones left to cycle to Warwick Castle, the 8 unfit ones went to Packwood house for the second cycle quest clue, then south over the M40 to Claverdon where we had a picnic lunch at the tennis club, very civilised. Then North back to base, again through lots of lovely quiet lanes, we stopped at 3pm so that we could hear the government alarm on our phones!! Distance around 33 miles.
All in all a very good weekend thanks Jim for organising and for everyone for their company and friendship. It shows that you shouldn’t listen to the weather forecast - just go.
Margaret Brown