6th February 2013 Solihull

Can't let this cold wind beat me. It was a bad day yesterday, today it is best to deal with it.  The wind is in the North today and it is going to be cold with the wind chill. The strategy therefore, is to head North on the train to Solihull, and cycle home with the wind behind me, this time making sure the clothing matches the weather. Put some layers on top of the layers today.

Solihull Railway station

Rode into Warwick and caught the train to Solihull. It is about 25 minutes away with a couple of stops on route and costs £5. The trains are pretty reliable, the carriages are warm, which is a bonus this weather. That did mean a good start to the ride. I did learn something on the journey, talking to some geezer, bicycles are allowed on trains (if the guard does not object) but tandems are not.

 Put that in your pipe for the next pub quiz.

Solihull Shopping Centre

There is a big indoor mall at Solihull called Touchwood. Not much point in going in there today. There is only one store in there worth visiting anyway, the Apple Store. This is one of the pedestrian areas just outside Touchwood.

Solihull Police Station

This may bring back happy memories for some readers. The Police Station is in Homer Road. Once part of Warwickshire, Solihull is now part of the West Midlands and is covered by that Police Force. Never mind. Note the blue lamp.

Knowle Shopping Centre

A small town on the outskirts of Solihull, it is on the road back to Warwick and home. It seemed a bit deserted today unless they are all in the coffee shops. That temptation was resisted.

A good spin out today, much better than yesterday. Total ride was just over 17 miles, 2 of which was from home to the railway station. The plan worked perfectly, the wind was behind virtually all the way, and as Solihull is about 200' higher than Warwick (so the geezer on the train said) the ride back was a breeze. One that is definitely worth repeating.