In this ride we make our way around the Black Country region using a disused rail line and lots of canals. We use the South Staffordshire Railway walk, The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, The Stourbridge Canal, Dudley Canals 1 and 2, and the Birmingham mainline Canal to make this traffic free cycling loop around the area, starting from Aldersley Canal junction. The route takes in part of national cycle network route 81 and route 54.
Route map is here:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/289839245
Buy me a beer here:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cyclingn8
32 Comments
Hi. Which Boardman did you go for? I'm tempted to buy one.
Not completely traffic free.
great route
The one with the twirly moustache is Salvador Dali
Wonderful video. Loved seeing the areas i used to cycle on film. Especially the netherton tunnel. I'm interested as to what prep you might've made with your bike as to punture resistant tyres, or filled the tubes with 'slime', as thats what i've just done with my 'new' 2nd hand hybrid and to what you carry with you for the ride. I always carry a personal alarm too. Once again, great video, cheers.
Thank you for a wonderful video. Your narration is so informative.👍
So nice to see a route like this which is right on my doorstep. I may be giving this one a go. Thanks.
The first syllable of 'Stourton' rhymes with 'four' or 'pour', not with 'hour'. Confusing, I know, given the pronunciation of the name of 'Stourport', 'Stourbridge' and the river Stour, but there you go. And don't get me started on the pronunciation of 'Tettenhall', 'Wombourne' and 'Pensnett'. Whatever, this video brings back memories of doing this same loop in the opposite direction, some thirty five years ago, starting from near Stourbridge. It doesn't appear to have changed much, except that somewhere near Tettenhall (Tet'n'l) a lock keeper told me to dismount , as it was illegal to cycle along the towpath. Things, fortunately, have changed in that regard.
Looks a great loop. Well maintained paths anyway 🙂
Rode most of this just the other day – my local gravel ride 🙂
Great little loop done it quite a few times as I live right by it
Great video as usual. Can I politely suggest something with image stabilisation for the chest strap? It's a bit bumpy 🙂 Good to see the Netherton tunnel again. I did it with about the same strength light which wasn't enough.
Straight out of compton med I larf! Nice one!
Netherton tunnel is always so much fun :). I suspect more than a few turn back or freak out well before the halfway point .
Great route. Rode two weeks ago. I didn't know there was a cafe at Tettenhall as I stayed on the canal towpath. What Garmin do you use please as I really want to try this now.
I've lost count of how many times I've ridden through Netherton Tunnel. Not including the 2 times I'll be riding through on Sunday. Really good lights are a must.
Excellent adventure to be had here, I’m always more confident tackling a new route for having seen it via the bike of others in addition to using my maps. Keep up the good work👍
A few years back, I was regularly cycling on the Grantham canal. I saw a grass snake swimming on it and loads of different raptors flying over head. Also, there were lots of shrews, doormice, etc.😊
Is there any chance you can post the map somewhere? I'd like to walk/job this route, it's a bit hard to tell from the map when in video.
Keen to have a go at this route but does the Netherton tunnel towpath allow an oncoming cyclist from the other end to pass? Just wondering.
Great video and route. How long did it take? And how far is the closest point from Birmingham City Centre by canal? Finally is the garmin route transferable to a phone app? I'd like to try this route some day from South Birmingham.
There are really good jumps across the canal 12:56
I have lived and worked within this loop the whole of my life, and regularly enjoy using the canal network and disused railway for walking cycling and occasionally fishing. The bit of canal that you cut out near Dudley has some interesting history, also you made no mention of Netherton reservoir or the Bumble Hole junction. Anyways, that said, you now have a new subsciber.
Living in Blakedown….. I get to use a lot of the tracks and canals etc…… I’ve travelled part of your route including the disused rail track….a yes had a cuppa and roll at Wombourne station😎👌🏽……Normally I cover tracks around Kinver…. Kidderminster and Stourport…… Netherton🤔haven’t done that in years….. bit spooky if ya lights are dim😂…… loved your take on the area….. and easy chat….. thank you …… my son lives at Kingswinford….. so I’ll drive up to his take my bike out and travel further north next time.😉💪🏼
This one starts half a mile from my front door 👏
Good video full of information. Will give it a go. Cheers.
Ahh the old smestoe train line is my regular exercise route. There is another way to merry hill centre. Where you came off you can carry on. Happy to meet if you wanna see it
Great route until Netherton tunnel, which is hideous to ride on a bike, hence this route won’t be one for me
BTW what was the old scooter at the end of the tunnel??
not the black country
Thanks
Great video, really enjoyed this one. Thanks too for the gpx file, am tempted to try this one.