Explore the McClean Way: Join Our Ride to Lichfield – Sunday 16th August

NOTE: this ride was originally organised for the 9th August and has been moved to the 16th!

Seven years ago Mary and I rode up the McClean Way marvelling at the work that Back The Track had completed. I concluded that blog with this:

Maybe one day it will be possible to ride to Lichfield on the Curly Wyrley and come back on the McClean Way! Wouldn’t that be something!

Sarah Round – The McClean Way

Read the blog and watch the video HERE

Well…that day has come! You can now get all the way to Lichfield on the McClean Way – and we are off to ride it and you are invited!!! – details to register are below.

Chasing McClean- Sunday 16th August.

The McClean Way is a former Victorian railway built to serve the South Staffordshire coalfields before becoming today’s peaceful greenway. Along the route we’ll discover reminders of the region’s industrial past, pass former railway features, enjoy views across Ryders Hayes Mere and the Clayhanger nature reserve, and explore the rich mining heritage that shaped the Black Country.

Start/End: Car Park Next to St Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Perry Common Road, Erdington. ///oddly.popped.ideas 10AM

Distance/Time: 55km, 5-6hrs, 330m elevation

Route: Joining the tame valley in Aston we will ride on to the Rushall canal leaving at Walsall Country Park, through Walsall Arboretum on to the newly extended McClean Way to Lichfield then make our way back along the lanes and NCN route, or you can get the train back if you prefer.

You can see the Route and Download the .GPX file HERE

What to expect: This ride will include Canal/Road/Path/Gravel and getting through/over/around gates, steps, slopes. It will also be quite lumpy bumpy bricky chunky riding. Good big tyres please!

There is the option to leave the ride at Lichfield and make your way back to Erdington/Birmingham by train – please be aware trains will be running a Sunday service and you will need to navigate yourself to the train station from the outskirts of Lichfield. Let us know if you need help with this.

If you think you may want to try this ride and have any worries or need more info please just leave a comment below.

What to Bring

Mountain bikes and gravel bikes will be fine, you will be ok on a hybrid as long as you have good tyres.

You will need to bring your own pop and sandwiches.

This Route has no water or food resupply points so bring plenty!

You may have to be prepared to wee in a bush! I’m happy to chat roadside weeing solutions – just get in touch.

We are a friendly and supportive bunch so you are sure to leave with a few new riding buddies.

Register

If you would like to join us please read our CODE OF CONDUCT where you can register for Bicycle Adventure Club Rides.

See you on Sunday!

Sarah

Whilst all these rides are free to you, we do spend quite a bit of time behind the scenes organising and building routes. So if you are able, donations are very much appreciated, then we can continue to invest more time into the club and activities. You can make a monthly or one-time donation HERE.

Alternatively you can support us by buying a fabulous BAC tee shirt from the oficial BAC shop: Get your orders in NOW so I have time to print them for you!!