Welcome to the Southern Wheelers for cycling around the south Birmingham and Solihull areas

Who are we? We are a group of cyclists from south Birmingham and the surroundings, who like riding together from time to time . We are of various ages from teens to eighties, although most of us are middle-aged. Some people are in a range of jobs, while some others are retired.

What do we do? We have a busy programme of weekly day rides on Sundays and alternate Wednesdays on the rides list, some youth hostelling and camping weekends, an audax and some holidays abroad.

How are the rides organised? Each ride is led by the "captain" for the day, who has planned the route to take into account the variable weather, punctures and so forth to make sure we get to the pub at the right time. This allows the other riders not to have to think where they are going (only why?).

We usually get 10-15 riders out on a run, and we go at 10-12 mph average speed, which is quite leisurely. The rides have breaks for elevenses, the meet itself (usually a pub) for lunch (we usually bring sandwiches), and threeses in the afternoon. The distance covered is about 40 miles in winter and 60 in summer, which works out as four stages of an hour to an hour and a half. The rides have breaks for elevenses, the meet itself (usually a pub) for lunch, and threeses in the afternoon. The distance covered is about 40 miles in winter and 60 in summer, which works out as four stages of an hour to an hour and a half. Someone of average fitness who does not ride regularly would find it a bit strenuous the first few times, but after that increasing fitness makes it easier.

Bikes and equipment A road worthy bike is all that is needed, with full mudguards. A puncture repair outfit and a spare inner tube should also be carried. Some tyres are sold as puncture resistant, and many of us use them, but still we get occasional flat tyre, especially when thorn hedges are being cut because, try as one might to avoid them, there is always one thorn left. If anyone has a problem with the bike, such as a puncture, we wait until it is repaired, and help is on offer if needed, although we cannot guarantee to repair hub gears by the roadside.

In practice, we ride all kinds of bikes. There are many traditional tourers with drop handlebars and saddle bags. However we are all individuals, and we also ride mountain bikes, hybrids, vintage bikes, folders, a tandem. Some of use saddle bags to carry tools, snacks and extra clothing, others prefer panniers or bar bags. Most of us take water bottles too, and a thermos during colder weather.

Most of us have gears, although we occasionally get a fixed-gear bike out which shames us all. We tackle hills according to individual taste, with some liking to get to the top quick, and others savouring the experience more at their leisure. There is no hill that cannot be walked up, ane we usually wait to re-group if some go slower to appreciate the view.

It is wise to have lights as even in summer one can occasionally get late enough to need them.We use various arrangements, such as dynamos, or diode lights or both.

Clothing We are as varied in our clothing as our bikes. One doesn't have to wear specialist cycling clothes and shoes to remain warm and comfortable, and dry if it rains, or keep cool enough in warm weather. However one does need to take some warm clothes and waterproofs for when the weather changes, and it is true that suitable equipment can make all the difference to the enjoyment of a ride, even in the wet. Although specialist clothing can be pricey, both Aldi and Lidl sell a range of proper cycling clothing at certain times of the year as the week's special offer, which has proved very good value.

Food and drink We usually take our own food with us on Sunday runs and stop at selected pubs where we are allowed to eat sandwiches. Cycling uses a lot of energy, and we also take snacks to keep us going and to keep off "the bonk" (sudden energy loss, cured by suitable food and/or drink). As well as the traditional sarnies, energy foods such as fruit loaf, currant buns, crisps and bananas are favourites.

For drinking, we use water bottles and also thermoses of tea of coffee. At stops we go to pubs, and sometimes we find places for tea, although there are not as many where we would like them.

Connecting Link is the bi-monthly magazine of the Southern sections of the Birmingham & Midland DA, and the Warwickshire Road club, and usually has a lively discussion of past and present events.