Oldbury to Penkridge

Objective: Cycle from Oldbury north along the Birmingham Mainline, taking in the Gower Branch, down Wolverhampton Locks, then along the Staff & Worcester Canal to Penkridge, returning by train to Sandwell & Dudley Station. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 24 miles Time to complete: 3.75 hrs, 6.5 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2 pp 50, 51, 58, 59, Guide 4,… Continue reading Oldbury to Penkridge

Penkridge to Fradley Junction

Objective: Take the train from Lichfield Trent Valley to Penkridge. Cycle from Penkridge to Fradley Junction along the Staffs and Worcester Canal, and Trent & Mersey Canal. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 28 miles (including initial ride to station) Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 7.5 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 4, pp 126-129, 143-147 Costs: small charge to park at the… Continue reading Penkridge to Fradley Junction

Wolverhampton to Nantwich

Objective: Cycle from Wolverhampton to Nantwich up the Shropshire Union Canal over 2 days. Take the train back from Nantwich to Wolverhampton. Trip Type: solo cycle over 2 days Distance: 47 miles (43 without the diversion to Hinstock) Time to complete: 7 hrs, 6.7 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2 pp 44-45, Guide 4, pp 89-105 Costs: free parking in Wolverhampton.… Continue reading Wolverhampton to Nantwich

Stoke to Middlewich

Objective: Cycle from the centre of Stoke on Trent to Middlewich along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Take the train back from Winsford to Stoke. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance:  24.6 miles Time to complete: 3.25 hrs, 7.6 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 4, pp 155-163, 109 Costs: free parking in Stoke. Train from Winsford to Stoke £10.20 (1… Continue reading Stoke to Middlewich

Great Haywood Junction to Stoke

Objective: Cycle from Stafford (or Rugeley) to Great Haywood Junction, and up the Trent & Mersey Canal to Stoke-on-Trent. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 24.6 miles Time to complete: 3.0 hrs, 8 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 4, pp 147-155 Costs: free parking in Stoke. Train from Stoke to Stafford £6.80 (or Rugeley Trent Valley £11.60), 3 per hour (1 per… Continue reading Great Haywood Junction to Stoke

Wolverhampton to Stourbridge

Objective: take the train from Stourbridge to Wolverhampton. Cycle down Wolverhampton Locks on the Birmingham Main Line, take the Staffs & Worcester Canal to Stourton Junction, and the Stourbridge Canal and Stourbridge Town Arm back to the start point. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 19 miles Time to complete: 2.5 hrs, 8.8 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2, pp 44,… Continue reading Wolverhampton to Stourbridge

Fazeley Junction to Burton

Objective: take the train from Burton to Tamworth. Cycle back along the Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry Canals, then the Trent & Mersey Canal to Burton. Finish with a pint at the unspoilt Coopers Tavern in Burton. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 22.5 miles Time to complete: 3 hrs, 7.9 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 58, 61, 180-185… Continue reading Fazeley Junction to Burton

Fazeley Junction to Gas Street Basin

Objective: cycle the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal from Fazeley Junction to Salford Junction, the Tame Valley Canal, the Walsall Canal, and the Birmingham Level Mainline to Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham. Take the train back to your start point. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 31 miles Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.6… Continue reading Fazeley Junction to Gas Street Basin

Fazeley Junction to Bedworth

Objective: take train from Bedworth to Tamworth, and cycle back along the Coventry Canal. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 23 miles Time to complete: 3 hrs, 8.2 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 53-59 Costs: free parking at Bedworth. Train from Bedworth to Tamworth £7.70 (1 per hour) Difficulty: fair Adjacent Rides: Coventry to Rugby,… Continue reading Fazeley Junction to Bedworth

Halesowen to Kidderminster

Objective: take the train from Kidderminster to Old Hill, and return along the Dudley No.2, Dudley No.1, Stourbridge, and Staffordshire & Worcester Canals, ticking off various short branches along the way. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 28 miles Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.6 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2, pp 113, 117, 132, 133, 138… Continue reading Halesowen to Kidderminster