Itinerary of the West Midlands trip

Wednesday May 10

I leave Worcester on Wednesday for Stratford-upon-Avon. It will be about a seven mile ride north on the Worcs & B’ham to Dunhampstead and then 20 miles cross-country eastward to Wilmcote, the childhood home of Mary Arden, Shakespeare’s mother. It’s a daunting ride for me because 30 miles is pretty much the longest I ride in a day, but I plan to stop for lunch either in Astwood or Sambourne and replenish my energy. At Wilmcote, I can follow the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal another three miles to the home of the Bard. I’ll be staying at the Hunter’s Moon Guest Cottage for two days as I explore the city. I’m sure I will be seriously exhausted and yet I’m contemplating attending a performance of Julius Caesar at the Royal Shakespeare Company. It would be embarrassing to fall asleep during a performance.

Thursday May 11

This is my day to visit Shakespeare’s birth place, his grave, his home, his schoolroom, his wife’s home, his daughter’s home, etc. Not to mention ride the bike along the River Avon and buy souvenirs. I think by this point I may be so exhausted some attraction will be left unvisited.

Friday May 12

I ride north on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal on Friday. I will look forward to one of the loveliest canals with it’s split bridges and barrel-roofed lockkeeper’s cottages. The Edstone Aqueduct should be pretty impressive, but I  think I will most look forward to just riding through what was the Forest of Arden. I plan to meet Clive Henderson with the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Society at some point along this trip. I’ll stay at The Bell Inn in Tanworth in Arden, not far from Nick Drake’s grave for those who remember the ’60s.

Saturday May 13

I will explore the North Stratford Canal Saturday and perhaps tour Sarehole Mill, a still working mill with an association to JRR Tolkien, assuming it’s open that day and I’m up to it. I’ll return to Birmingham Saturday and check in at the Nitenite Citryooms hotel. I’m saving money by staying in a tiny, windowless room but frankly I don’t plan to spend much time in the room except to sleep.

Sunday May 14

This is my last full day in Birmingham. I will have returned my rental bike Saturday and the only thing I have planned is to use a Brompton Bike to ride to Soho House, the Georgian home of industrialist and Lunar Man Matthew Boulton. There are a lot of steam engines stamped Boulton & Watt that powered the Industrial Revolution, and by visiting Boulton’s home I hope to feel a connection to the spirit of innovation of that age, assuming my brain still works at this point.

Monday May 15, return to Denver

I think unlike my flight out, I will have no problem sleeping on the plane. I’ve been telling people my 92-mile route won’t be that hard because it will be spread over eight days, but looking over this itinerary, I’m already tired.

NOTE: I am not receiving any compensation for mentioning the places I’m staying.