Newbie: Recommended rides and LBSs in Birmingham?

Hi all

I'm looking to start cycling more agin, what with the weather improving and having moved into a new
area. I'm just North of Spaghetti junction in Birmingham.

Can anyone recommend good rides (gentle to begin with) in the area? I'm thinking the canals will be
a good start.

In the same vein, where are the better bikeshops in Northern/Central Birmingham.

Finally, my current bike is a Raleigh Pioneer hybrid. How much of a difference would I be likely to
notice if I were to move to a basic 'proper bike' such as a Sirrus A1.

Regards

Alex

Alex Willmer wrote:

> Finally, my current bike is a Raleigh Pioneer hybrid. How much of a difference would I be likely
> to notice if I were to move to a basic 'proper

How old is your Pioneer? I have a fairly old one (its a lugged steel frame) which I have converted
to a more roadified setup, and apart from being a bit heavy its fantastic for towpath etc. I have no
experience of the new alloy ones though...

--

-Alex

----------------------------------
alexpg@btinternet.com

http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/cycling.php http://www.westerleycycling.org.uk
----------------------------------

Alex Graham wrote:

> Alex Willmer wrote:
>
>> Finally, my current bike is a Raleigh Pioneer hybrid. How much of a difference would I be likely
>> to notice if I were to move to a basic 'proper
>
>
> How old is your Pioneer? I have a fairly old one (its a lugged steel frame) which I have converted
> to a more roadified setup, and apart from being a bit heavy its fantastic for towpath etc. I have
> no experience of the new alloy ones though...
>
I would say upwards of 5 years, but that's just an educated guess. Judging by the weight &
(small/sparse) rust patches where the paint has chipped, it's definitely steel.

There are 'caps' at the joining points of tubes, which I guess is what's meant by lugged.

Alex

Alex Willmer <alex@moreati.org.uk> wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I'm looking to start cycling more agin, what with the weather improving and having moved into a
> new area. I'm just North of Spaghetti junction in Birmingham.
>
> Can anyone recommend good rides (gentle to begin with) in the area? I'm thinking the canals will
> be a good start.
>
> In the same vein, where are the better bikeshops in Northern/Central Birmingham.
>
> Finally, my current bike is a Raleigh Pioneer hybrid. How much of a difference would I be likely
> to notice if I were to move to a basic 'proper bike' such as a Sirrus A1.
>

If you are just starting, stick with the Pioneer for a while. When you do change you will a) be sure
you want to keep up cycling, b) have a better idea of what you need and c) if you get hooked be able
to buy a better bike if you want without having to lose money selling a Sirrus.

Tony

--
http://www.raven-family.com

"All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

"Alex Willmer" <alex@moreati.org.uk> wrote in message
news:r2fqa.140$rC2.1363117@news-text.cableinet.net...
> Hi all
>
> I'm looking to start cycling more agin, what with the weather improving
and
> having moved into a new area. I'm just North of Spaghetti junction in Birmingham.
>
> Can anyone recommend good rides (gentle to begin with) in the area? I'm thinking the canals will
> be a good start.
>
<snip>
>
> Regards
>
> Alex

Hi Alex, You're right, the canals are great. There's a lovely loop to Wolverhampton catered for.
Around 30 miles round trip and very interesting. One to aim for in the future, but explore 'em
locally anyway in the meantime. The Jewellery quarter is also very interesting re canal towpaths.
Some very interesting architecture etc. Sutton Park is supposed to be reasonable with secret bits of
singletrack if you can find it.
. Check on-line for MTB sites. They recommend great country loops. Cheers, Enjoy (lots), Dave.

Alex Willmer wrote:

> I would say upwards of 5 years, but that's just an educated guess. Judging by the weight &
> (small/sparse) rust patches where the paint has chipped, it's definitely steel.
>
> There are 'caps' at the joining points of tubes, which I guess is what's meant by lugged.

Well heres what I did to mine:

Before <http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/pioneer.jpg>

After <http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/apgbk.jpg>

--

-Alex

----------------------------------
alexpg@btinternet.com

http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/cycling.php http://www.westerleycycling.org.uk
----------------------------------

On Fri, 25 Apr 2003 21:52:32 +0000 (UTC), Alex Graham <alexpg@btinternet.com> wrote:

>Well heres what I did to mine:
>
>Before <http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/pioneer.jpg>
>
>After <http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/apgbk.jpg>

Nice transformation.

Bob
--
Mail address is spam trapped To reply by email remove the beverage

While stranded on the hard shoulder of the information super highway alex@moreati.org.uk typed:
> Hi all
>
> Can anyone recommend good rides (gentle to begin with) in the area? I'm thinking the canals will
> be a good start.

I like the canal ride along the new main line bewteen Brum and Wolvo. It gets a bit bumpy on the
Brommie in places, but there are lots of things to see and it is almost dead flat. The Rea Valley
run isn't too bad, although you have to watch out for the dog walkers. There seem to be hundreds.
Also National Route 5 from Birmingham to Chasewater is very pretty. One day I will manage to follow
it through Walsall without getting lost! Sustrans do a nice book of rides around Birmingham. The
HMSO has them as do most WHS.
>
> In the same vein, where are the better bikeshops in Northern/Central Birmingham.

I've found the Harborne Cycle Surgery helpful. It hides behing the Queen Alexandra hospital.

--
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