SCC Members Newsletters

Solihull CC Members News - May 2026

Sanity through cycling in a world gone mad.

An Opening Note – from Ian Humphreys

Out with the old and in with the new. Spring is sprung and be warned this is going to be a long May bulletin, so you may want to put the kettle on! 

Many thanks to Cliff Dobson for his tireless work in producing our previous club newsletters and I hope I can fill his ‘cycling shoes’ in a seamless fashion. Thanks to all those club members that have contributed content for May’s edition, and I hope you enjoy consuming it with a custard cream.

Membership – from Jean Brownsword
Solihull Cycling Club would like to extend a warm welcome to it's new members this month, Brad Devine-Jenkins, Mike Sutton and Sergio Scabar.

 

Club Rides – from Mike Wall

https://solihullcc.org.uk/club-runs

The May programme is now on the website, with June to follow shortly. 

Race Results – from David Fellows 

We’ve had some big results in the last month or so.

Oliver Tandy, Max Chan, & David Fellows won the team prize at the illustrious Beacon Roads Little Mountain Time Trial which many of our older members will remember fondly as one of blue-ribbon events on the calendar!

Paul Mann Won the overall GC at the Echelon Cycles 2 Day stage race in the F category after taking the stage win and 15 bonus seconds on offer on the final stage from a 2 up breakaway to overturn a 20 second deficit into a win by 60 seconds!

All race reports are on the club Facebook page and Instagram and there are far too many to mention - so if you are interested in seeing those then please give us a follow! 

If you have any race results that aren't being included, then please let me know on 07837974224 

Well Done all!

Memorial Rides – from Mike Wood

Returning to its now traditional spot in the club ride calendar.

Sunday 28 June 2026 all starting 9am from Woodbourne Sports Club, Rumbush Ln, Earlswood, Solihull B94 5LW

The SCC Memorial Rides are a social event to celebrate and remember the many well respected, loved and inspirational club members that we have all known over the years. Run as a Randonnee where riders are expected to be self-sufficient, the routes pass through various towns and villages where refreshments are available. 

There are several rides of varying lengths to suit all abilities taking in many roads to the South of Solihull that some may have not ridden previously, the longest taking in some beautiful areas in the Cotswolds. 

Initial routes are common, and we suggest that you could prepare with multiple routes to enable a switch to a longer or shorter route depending on how the day is going.

Start times are 8am for the two longer routes, 9am for the two medium routes and 10am for the two shorter routes.

Entry is £10 to cover the after-ride food and under 13 members will be able to bring their riding parent along as well, included in the entry price. Entry is through RiderHQ so we know how many are going to enjoy the day, and the after-ride food and socialising. 

Registration deadline Wednesday 24th June at 9pm

https://www.riderhq.com/events/p/3r5gxpzh/f/solihull-cc-memorial-ride-2

Marcher Castles Way (MCW) Offroad trip – from John Ross Ainsworth

Cycling UK are adding steadily to their pool of quality offroad/gravel multi-day rides. The best known is the King Alfred Way (KAW), created in 2020 and ridden since by SCC members, including one group during last summer’s peak Saharan conditions.

Cycling UK announced the MCW late 2024, at little over an hour journey time it is the closest of their routes to Solihull. Therefore, it was chosen for a SCC ride for summer 2026. Perhaps most often ridden as “bikepacking”, we have gone for the softer option of hotels and baggage transfer. 

Not that the ride is to be underestimated – 5200 m of climbs, topping out over 20% each day. Thorough pre-trip training and careful bike choice is required. Many hear about the route from the infamous GCN video, “bloomin’ hard”, “savage”, with a Never Again from Simon at the end. “Inspired” by this, a self-selected group have signed up for the trip in July, albeit over 3 days rather than GCN’s one.      

If anyone would like information to help arrange their own KAW or MCW trip, then please ask via the SCC Off-Road Riders WhatsApp group.

The 105th Cyclists’ Memorial Service (Meriden)

The 105th Cyclists Memorial Service will take place at 11am on Sunday 17th May on Meriden Village Green. The service will be led by the Reverend Kevin Flanagan and music provided by the Bulkington Silver Band. 

Refreshments will be served by Meriden Women’s Institute at the Meriden Village Hall after the service. Riders from Solihull CC are very welcome to join and pay their respects.

For further information contact Dave Hearn at davehearn56@gmail.com

 CLUB KIT ANNOUNCEMENT - from Jean Brownsword
The Kalas Custom Kit ‘MyShop’ is now open, you can order a variety of items in either the race design or leisure design using the following link:
https://7b26f7cc-f34d-f111-a820-7ced8d39a2eb.myshop.kalas.cc/en/
 

 Please ensure you make the right choice when putting your order through         - custom kit is made to order and is non-refundable and non-returnable.          If you are unsure about the kit (styles, sizing, etc.), please         ensure you contact Kalas and get advice before you place your order.
 

 If you choose the ‘deliver to the branch’ option at the checkout, your         order will be delivered to the me.  You must be willing to collect         it from me in Northfield (B31) if you choose this option.
 

 The shop will be open until 29th May. and the estimated delivery of         orders is during the week beginning 6th July 2026.

Social Media – from David Fellows

I'm trying to do more with the social media accounts linked to the club so that people looking in have a good understanding of what were about and what we do throughout the year - however i do need your help - so if you have any adventures planned or have any pictures from training sessions or stuff from the past that you think is worth a mention on the socials - send it to me and I will post it - It’s your club don't forget so get involved as much as possible and broadcast your activities!

Send anything to me via Whatsapp or text – 07837974224

Solihull Wheels For All Update – from Arthur Salisbury

As an organisation that Solihull CC has a proud history of supporting through various fund-raising events, and with several volunteers amongst our current membership, then we thought club members would be interested in this short update. 

This year Solihull Wheels For All were further recognised with a Highly Commended Award in the Outstanding Community Project Category at the Everyone Active Sporting Champions Awards 2026. With access to facilities at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, the service has expanded its opportunities to reach even more people in Solihull and its surrounds.

Working alongside day centres, community groups, and special education needs schools, Solihull Wheels for All continues to open up cycling for those that may not otherwise have the chance. The club continues to support the organisation via its annual Cream Team Run, and we’re always looking for new volunteers to help out in whatever capacity they can. For more information drop Arthur a message on arthursalisburyswfa@gmail.com

See you on the start line!

Dates for your Diary

Old Sols Luncheon 11 June 2026 at Robin Hood Golf Club

Tony Satterthwaite memorial 2upTT 18 June 2026 at The Bulls Head, Earlswood

Memorial Rides 28 June 2026 at the Woodbourne

Cream Tea run 2 August 2026 at Luddington Village Hall

You can read this and the previous month’s newsletter at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/news-items

Expect your next newsletter mid-June! Early submissions of content welcome. Bon Voyages.

e&oe

SCC Members News – April 2026

Sorry about the break in service – newsletter editor emigrated for the winter, so absent from committee meetings. This is my final newsletter before I hand over to Ian Humphreys, who has kindly stepped up to take this on. This distribution is to the 2025 membership list. After this, I will delete all recipients and upload the list for the 2026 membership. Sometimes this doesn’t go perfectly (eg we have a typo in email addresses etc.) 

If you have renewed but stop receiving this newsletter, please contact us at newsletter@solihullcc.org.ukand we will fix it. 

If you haven’t renewed, you won’t receive any more members newsletters.

Don’t forget you can always access club information from the website, Members Facebook page, or by subscribing to the WhatsApp community.

Absent Friend – Jim Smyth

We are sad to announce the passing of long-standing club member Jim Smyth. Jim was well known by many as a former club run leader and membership secretary. Although inactive for a few years he kept in touch at social events when possible, and via Facebook. 

Mighty Mo hits 90 years 

Club legend Mo Paveley is about to join the elite band of over 90’s club members. To help her celebrate this special birthday she has invited all her cycling friends to lunch at the Greswolde Hotel in Knowle from 2pm onwards on Friday 1 May.

Reliability Rides 2026 – from David Fellows

The recent Solihull CC Reliability Ride was a rip-roaring success  - 110 riders out on a fresh February Sunday 

We Raised £600 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Not only did we get the most riders, have the best cake spread and forge the best route out of pretty much all reliability rides ever.

Big thanks to Heather & Mark for setting up the cakes and especially to Heather for baking a lot loads. Thanks a lot to Anne & Mike for helping with the sign on, and also Ellen for baking loads. 

Also, thanks to the Red Lion pub for allowing us to use the downstairs free of charge and for their wonderful staff for keeping the hot water topped up 

And finally, thanks to all the riders for showing up on the day it means loads to me so thank you. - See you all in 2027

Club Rides – from Cliff Dobson

Another batten change, as I am handing over to Mike Wall. The Spring runs are ready, and May and June will be loaded onto the website soon. Mike is working with the run leaders to develop the Summer programme.  

Old Sols Lunch – From Malcolm Smith

If you reach or exceed 70 years of age during 2026, you can enjoy yet another benefit of club membership…. The Old Sols lunch will kick off at 12.30pm on Thursday 11 June at Robin Hood Golf Club, Solihull, B92 7DJ.

If you’d like to join us please submit your name, if you haven’t already done so, to me by email at smithmalcolm90@gmail.com or by text/WhatsApp to 07930 311650. 

There’s no charge and no obligation – we just want to know how much food to order!

Dates for your Diary – planned but not promised

May Wednesdays – No Frills racing at Tudor Grange

Thursdays May to July – weekly time trials

Thu 11 June – Old Sols lunch

Thu 18 June – Tony Satterthwaite 2 up TT

Sun 28 June – Memorial rides

Sun 2 Aug – Cream Tea run - Luddington

You can read this and the previous month’s newsletter at: https://solihullcc.org.uk/news-items

Expect the next newsletter to appear in your inbox around 10 May

e&oe