Birmingham Day 2 - The Bike Ride

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 We learned, and made sure we got a middle of the field plot this time. We also left nothing outside. It didn’t rain. Neither was it baking, so we decided on a bike ride down the Fazerley to Birmingham Canal. Ian wrestled the bikes off the rack and we headed out. This end of the canal the towpath is a bit narrow and bumpy, but the scenery is lovely and we made pleasant, if slow, progress.



The dismount point for me came with a dark bumpy tunnel. Pushing was infinitely preferable 


Past this tunnel the path got a bit better and we picked up speed. Although tunnel number  two was a little tricky. Dark, bumpy, no edge rail, and a blind person coming the other way! Somehow I coped, but Ian reminded me of my light a bit too late. 

We started going through less salubrious areas, at one stage a guy was coming the other way with a couple of carriers and a full length ladder across his handlebars. After nine miles we reached spaghetti junction and decided to turn back. Three more miles to the centre but Ian had an important zoom meeting at 4pm and we wanted to eat. Between the blind and handrail tunnels we found a garden outside a hotel and stopped for coffee. They didn’t do sandwiches but did do soup or pizza. We shared a pepperoni.



I negotiated the narrow bit with aplomb and we returned to Kingsbury in plenty of time for the meeting

The sun came out after that so we relaxed outside for a bit before phoning Heather to wish her Happy Birthday. Then it was time to stroll down to the canal to the Dog and Doublet pub for tea. 



I had a lovely Nasi Goreng (see above) and Ian a lamb curry. The chef liked doing Asian food.

Back at the van we witnessed the Lionesses annihilation of Sweden, I do love women’s football! And then to bed, volunteering starts tomorrow.

Strava watch

Amazingly I started my Strava at the very beginning of the ride




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