New member from Birmingham

[analyst01]

Hi all.

Looking into starting cycle commuting to work (six miles mostly on towpaths so no real excuse), and hoping to pick up some hints, tips and advice.

Haven't ridden since childhood so nervous and excited at the same time.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and @analyst01.

That sounds like a pretty ideal commute. Should be nice on a pleasant sunny day.

There are loads of helpful people on here, so it's a good place for hints and advice.

 

[Bryony]

 

[Dangermouse]

Sounds like a good start to any day, and a fantastic way to end the working day, enjoy your cycling and welcome to the forum

 

[biggs682]

evening and welcome aboard

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Welcome to the forum @analyst01!
First tip from me: don't forget to fit mudguards!
Enjoy your new bike!

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. Welcome from powys. I used to live in brum. It's great now they have done the canals up. Nice easy riding. Enjoy

 

[Dark46]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

 

[Donger]

Welcome, from a fellow Brummie (in exile). I cycled from Longbridge to The Mailbox recently, following the canal towpaths as much as possible. If that's the route you are talking about, you are a lucky man. Just watch out going under the bridges though! - looks very easy to end up taking the plunge where the path narrows and you have to duck under the arch of the bridge.

 

[analyst01]

Thanks all!

Donger: yes, that's the route (from Bournville, in my case). I've walked it a few times: really looking forward to cycling it. Will take the tip about the bridges!

 

[BrumJim]

6 miles is a lovely commuting distance, Birmingham canals are a lovely oasis of calm within a busy city, and Bournville is a lovely place to start in the morning and finish in the evening. Unless you fancy a beer to end the ride, in which case it is a bad place to live.

My two pieces of advice are:
1) It is May. Take some bread with you in the morning - either fresh or stale, and doesn't need to be a whole slice. If you find Mr and Mrs Geese and their brood blocking the towpath and getting aggressive, throw your bread into the canal, and they will all hop in after it, leaving the way clear for you.
2) There is a Birmingham Cyclist forum where you can get more local advice on routes, events, etc. (Google). Still keep coming here though - general bike advice comes from a much wider community so tends to be of higher quality.

 

[jdtate101]

That stretch can get quite muddy when it has rained and there can be many deep puddles as the surface is rutted in some places, so make sure you wear waterproof trousers if it's been raining.