Cannon Hill C.C. - The Jouney To The Cross

Selly Oak sojourn An alternative journey to The Lickeys passing through Selly Oak and the clock of The University of Birmingham as a reminder of the pace in this early steady roll; this is part of The ‘In Extremis’ standard or regular group rides starting from our home, Cannon Hill Park. It has all the element of The ‘In Extremis’ recipe, varied terrain, mixed climbs and descents, steady pace lanes, good chat and fine coffee. What more can you ask for?! Passing the Bartley reservoir, the first peak is at the foot of The Waseley Hills country park. Following the M5 down you return to the lower lanes at Lydiate Ash, the turn right onto Golden Cross Lane begins the second drag - the Old Birmingham Road to The Lickey Hills country park. Steady dragging climbs these two first peaks but the views from the café are worth looking forward to. As is the descent to the roundabout and a sharp right, flowing through fast, if the traffic is favourable, for a pacy chase to Alvechurch barely glimpsing yet more reservoirs, Lower Bittell this time. The 'In Extremis' team couldn't ride this way without a visit to Rowney Green, the picturesque village sitting amongst and above fine lanes - part of our signature ride to Henley. A grind out , with an additional twist to the foot of the climb and the traditional left turn of Radford Road, the road seems to keep rising – a deceptive ‘hidden hill’ but with sweeping lanes thereafter. Beware the sharp left after the sprint, with views of Redditch to the right, often wet, icy or plain gravelly, technical as it is also at the base of a sharp ramp! Church Hill and the race to BransonsCross roundabout – Green points, 7 minutes anyone? Reaching the lowest point at Storrage lane, all you have then is the final slopes climbing back past Kings Norton Golf club and the charge up Gay Hill, the sprint through Allens Croft to Russell Road and the return - beware though the last two (or is it Three) sharp ramps which will test the puncheurs amongst you. Come back for more if you like this?!