Objective: take the train from Cromford to Langley Mill. Cycle back along the Cromford Canal (much of which is disused) to Cromford Wharf. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 19.5 miles Time to complete: 3 hrs, 7.1 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 65, 70,71, 76, 77. Costs: parking at Cromford Station (£2.90 for the day). Train from Cromford to Langley… Read More Cromford Canal
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… Read More Fazeley Junction to Burton
Objective: park at Walsall, cycle the length of the Rushall Canal from the Tame Valley Canal to the junction with the Wyrley & Essington. Complete various branches before heading west to the Walsall Canal, taking this down to the Walsall Town Arm, and returning to your car. Note: you could easily do this ride arriving… Read More Rushall Canal and Walsall
Objective: park in between Solihull and Shirley. Cycle the Grand Union Canal from Solihull into Birmingham and up to Salford Junction. Cycle the Birmingham & Fazeley back into the centre of Birmingham, taking in the Digbeth Branch. Cycle the Worcester & Birmingham through Gas Street Basin as far as Kings Norton Junction, and then take… Read More Solihull to Shirley
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… Read More Fazeley Junction to Gas Street Basin
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,… Read More Fazeley Junction to Bedworth
Objective: Park at Wednesfield, cycle round the Wyrley & Essington Canal, Wolverhampton Level Mainline, Wednesbury Oak Loop, and Walsall Canal, back to the start point. Trip Type: solo cycle (circular ride) Distance: 24 miles Time to complete: 3 hrs, 9 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 2, pp 50, 51, 54, 58 Costs: free parking at Wednesfield. No trains involved as this… Read More Wyrley & Essington Canal, and Wednesbury Oak Loop
Objective: take the train from Cradley Heath to Birmingham Snow Hill. Cycle from Farmer Locks via Old turn Junction along the Birmingham Mainline and Wolverhampton Level, ticking off various loops and sections, finishing through Netherton Tunnel and Dudley No. 2 & No. 1 canals to Delph Locks. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 27 miles Time to complete: 3.5 hrs,… Read More Farmers Locks to Dudley
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… Read More Halesowen to Kidderminster
Objective: take train from Rugby to Leamington Spa, and cycle back along the Grand Union and Oxford canals via Napton Junction to Rugby. Trip Type: solo cycle Distance: 26 miles Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 7.4 mph Nicholson Guide: Guide 3, pp 119-124, 141-143 Costs: free parking at Rugby. Train from Rugby to Leamington Spa… Read More Leamington Spa to Rugby