CycleSolihull arrives in Chelmsley Wood

IN THE SADDLE: The CycleSolihull programme has previously
run rides in villages like Cheswick Green

A SERIES of regular bike rides starting in North Solihull gets underway with a five-mile trip this afternoon (Sunday, June 22).

For the last couple of years CycleSolihull has organised a regular timetable of trips, tending to take in the villages and suburbs in the south of the borough.

This summer, however, there will be a shake-up of the programme, with a number of new routes starting from locations including Marston Green, Castle Bromwich and Coleshill.

Of the 42 rides planned between now and the end of October, 11 will set out from North Solihull, starting with today’s “taster” event at Chelmsley Wood.

At just five miles, the afternoon will be ideal for beginners and children. Over the course of the summer there will also be longer trips for more experienced cyclists.

To join today’s event, meet at the Banbury Club, near Asda, at 2pm. The route will take riders to Sheldon Country Park, with a stop for refreshments on the way.

All of the rides are free and no booking is required. For the full programme over the next four months, go to http://www.cyclesolihull.org.uk/assets/CSGeneral-0314final.pdf

• CycleSolihull was set up to encourage and promote cycling in the borough. The club secretary is Stephen Holt, who was last month elected as a Green Party councillor for Smith's Wood.