A freee day! where do I go?

[SHStroller68]

Having PURCHASED, cleaned and manged to stop staring and smiling at my new accuisition to spend enough time with the family. I've manged to accrue enough brownie points to get a day out. Great. can anyone suggest a couple or routes to help me create that bond with the bike that I need to do. Starting from Birmingham. NO MOTORWAYS PLEASE.

[Warthog]

Two of our favourite roads around here are the B4011 from Thame to Bicester and the A413 Aylesbury to buckingham. They might be a bit far away from you. Another bit of excitment is Fish Hill on the A44 next to Broadway. Might also be a bit far, can't help for much further north than that sorry! Kinver etc is a nice area but I don't know for roads etc.

[SHStroller68]

many thanks if I happen to head that way I'll try them out.

[gettin2dizzy]

ANY road out of Birmingham you can't go wrong with! ;)

[Ed]

ANY road out of Birmingham you can't go wrong with! ;)

Miaow.

Me, I'd head for south Shropshire.

Take the A458 out through Halesowen to Stourbridge, stay on the A458 headed for Bridgnorth. At Bridgie cross over the roundabout with the A442 - don't go into the town centre, you'll get hopelessly lost - go up the hill to the top, turn left (signed Ludlow) onto the B4364, and stay on this ace road (which is part of the Marches Meander route) until you have to turn right onto the A4117 headed into Ludlow. You'll need a drink by now so go into Ludlow - foodie paradise - lots of nice cafes etc by the River Teme, and there's often lots of bikes parked up round by the side of the castle - just go straight into the town centre and go through the main square, you can't miss it.

Come out of Ludlow, if you have to get back to Brum then take either the A4117 or hop down the A49 south a bit and take the A456 back through Bewdley and Kiddie.

If you have time, head north up the A49 for a short distance to Craven Arms, turn left for Clun. It's not very far, 15 miles maybe, it's a delightful run. At Clun, you are now very firmly in the land that time forgot. Take the A488 down to Knighton, this road is the nearest you can get to sex on a motorcycle:p

At Knighton, you will need to start heading back. Sorry but all good things have to come to an end. Take the A4113 back to the A49 at Bromfield, turn right onto the A49 (care needed, this is a bit of a difficult turn) then take the A4117 or A456 back, as above.

However if you have bags of time then stay on the A488 till you get to the A44, it's about 16 - 17 miles of sherr delight, the road climbs and falls, twists and turns, it's just fantastic and you won't want it to end. Turn right onto the A44 into Pen-y-Bont and after a bit less than a mile you'll get to a roundabout with the Cross Gates bike cafe on your right. There's no easy way back without retracing your steps, but if the A488 from Clun to Knighton is the s word, this is very definitely the o word... am I allowed to say that....

One fantastic day out\\:D/

[SHStroller68]

many thnaks,
I'd heard heading towards Ludlow was a good ride. I'll give it a go.