[Closed] Birmingham "Street"/"Urban" ride

I *really* want to ride through the mailbox (from the canal end), down the escalators and then out the front down the steps towards new street. I've walked through there every day for the last three months thinking I SO WISH I HAD MY BIKE.

Security'd probably take a dim view but it would be awesome 🙂

Plus the steps here: http://goo.gl/maps/GIB7V look pretty awesome. As long as you don't ride into the fountain!

Alex there are drops aplenty there too. I have seen people ride the whole wall around the fountain.

And straight through the mailbox sounds a great, if slightly illegal idea. Not sure about going down the escalators as they are a bit narrow and the steps are pretty big, but I'm sure a bit of peer pressure will convince me.

there are some slopes and possibly a couple of wall rides by in the roundabout underpass by the old fire station.

Anybody have any idea when to go? How about a Saturday evening? Or would a week day evening be better as there might be less police and less clubbers?

There are often a few trials riders around those steps and they do look like fun.

Often thought about the mailbox too. I group of guys on mtb's is bound to attract some attention though.

Weekday evening gets my vote. Wednesday any good?

I would prefer a Tuesday or Thursday personally but I will go with whatever.

Tuesdays no good for me but thursday would be fine.

Anybody else up for a Thursday night?

Anyday/evening is good for me, lots of stairs and drops around the townhouse/library.

Tues is ride night here so Thurs for me. I know what you mean about the narrowness and steppiness of the escalators. It could go very badly wrong. Over 3 months I have convinced myself it's rideable. Lots of CCTV in there as well, so it's a bit high risk. Still want to do it tho.

All the way round the fountain? On that wall? Crikey.

I've ridden the steps around the fountain (don't forget that'll be off limits soon with the Christmas market)

Ooh idea! Lets sort the ride around time of the market for beers after/during??

Mailbox would be fun (i have ridden through the merry hell centre) however I ain't riding no escalators!

Through the Bullring and down the steps at the back would be good too

Brum is ace to ride! Would join you if I could but 2 problems, I'm not in brum and my bike is fubar!

Amid I will do you a deal, if you ride the escalators I will follow.

Houns, when does the market start? And good idea about beers. The steps might be ok because there arnt any stalls around them.

If we don't go when the market is on we could always have a beer somewhere with outside seating like Bank at brindley place.

15th this month it starts

I've ridden the mailbox steps, make sure u go before 15/11 as the xmas market starts then and victoria sq will be rammed. Old library steps are good fun too

The steps on victoria square are pretty tame really as they're quite shallow. There's a fun stairwell around the other side of the town hall that takes you down into a dingy underground shopping arcade. Other little bits and pieces around there too 🙂

So who can make it on the 8th or should we leave it until the 15th? If its a success we could always do it again before Christmas and have beers at the German market then?

I'm up for the 8th and I'll probably be up for something regularish

I'm also happy to go out on the 8th for a test/sighting ride and it would be good to do it regularly. I live 5 mins ride from a train station so its easy enough for me. I would rather not drive in.

Thursday's are good for me as well. I think the 8th or 15th us good, would prefer the latter though.

Aye at the moment I can do the 8th. Prob drive in as not many trains back Hereford way after 9pm!

Yea I'm quite lucky that I'm near the cross city line that runs till after 11.

8th is fine with me, what time we looking at? I cycle to work (work by Snowhill) so will already have bike in tow.

imagine if somebody got on the escalator while you were riding down it 🙂

I'm up for this depending on times etc, been thinking about doing something similar for a while

Unfortunately I can't physically get into brum until 7:30 if the meeting is earlier than that I could join you guys at an arranged point.

I'm the same as I_Ache, 7.30 onwards is good for me.

Out if interest, what bikes are people taking? I'm thinking silly little hardtail with the saddle down and dual-ply tyres.

I will be using my FS due to still being in recovery from an op on a broken leg. Plus the suspension is better so will cope with stairs a lot better.

A little hardtail with big tyres is probably the best thing to take.

I am thinking about putting my super tacky swampthings on it as the compound might help if its a bit damp.

Possible places to ride:
The old fire station round about near Aston Uni.
Once the new park in front of millennium point opens there maybe a few drop offs worth a look.
Got to be some bits round Digbeth plus the streets would be very quiet.
All those steps and slopes round the mail box and the buildings along that stretch.
I was looking at the pedestrian bridge that goes over the dual carriageway there with it's spiral slope all the way up to the top.
There is some bits on the canal round gas street that would be tight and technical, as something different to steps.
Few sets of steps around the end of colmore row, opposite end to the square.

Not sure if I can make the 8th, but where are you meeting anyway?

Good question how about Victoria Square at the top of the fountain. That way we can start of with a gentle roll down the stairs there.

Anybody else have a suggestion?

I was going to say Victoria Square entrance to new street if lots are coming on train. But fountain is fine. Wil be bringing my little DMR Trailstar with the special tyres I like to call 'whatever is on the rim' 😉 Might be bringing my mate on his 5 so be prepared for the silent night to be broken by the crashing of a filing cabinet being chucked down a metal fire escape 😉

I think my screams of terror whilst descending the Mailbox escalators and noticing the illuminated trees will drown out the noise of wheeled filing cabinets.

Just found out I can't do the 8th but the 15th is fine. I will leave it for everybody else to decide if they want to do out on the 8th or 15th for the first time.

I was going to say Victoria Square entrance to new street if lots are coming on train. But fountain is fine. Wil be bringing my little DMR Trailstar with the special tyres I like to call 'whatever is on the rim' Might be bringing my mate on his 5 so be prepared for the silent night to be broken by the crashing of a filing cabinet being chucked down a metal fire escape

If I make it I'll be on my 5 as well. I don't fancy that many steps on the rigid. 😛

I can commit to the 15th for definite, the 8th is about 50% on for me but I won't really know until Wednesday or even Thursday morning. I would be up for both nights though.

I'll come, free this Thursday cos the ideal ramp is closed for renovations...

I was going to txt you about this rizla.

Whats everybody thinking the 8th or the 15th or both?

As above I can't do the 8th as Mrs Ache has a committee meeting. 🙁

I'm up for both, but we could leave it until the 15th and have the option of post ride xmas market beer. Happy either way.

I walked through the Mailbox the other day thinking how interesting it would be to ride. Made the meeting go faster as I day-dreamed about it!

I've always liked the canal ride from down from Gas Street basin to Salford Junction, there's quite a few locks that you can get air off by riding off the edge of them and back onto the towpath.

there's quite a few locks that you can get air off by riding off the edge of them and back onto the towpath

The question is. Is anybody brave enough to ride across the top of a closed lock?

I remember an MBUK years ago where a pair of brothers riding Pashley trials bikes were hopping over the lock. Bloody loons!

No... and I'm not fishing anyone out either. 😛 😆 😛

disco_stu - Member

I've always liked the canal ride from down from Gas Street basin to Salford Junction, there's quite a few locks that you can get air off by riding off the edge of them and back onto the towpath.

Is that the section up towards Spaghetti junction where the locks are like a massive set of rollers?

Its the bit from Gas Street/Brindley Place down towards the Aston Triangle, its a nice downhill as its a series of locks with lots of opportunites getting a bit of air.

I'm not going to make it tomorrow so it will be the 15th for me.

Ok then who is on for the 15th at 7:30? We will have to meet somewhere away from the German market so its easy to recognise fellow idiots. Centenary Square maybe? Or the Bull Ring Bull?

I'm easy for where to meet... Defo in for the 15th can't do tonight the ramp is open still.

Yep, I'm in for the 15th. The market extended up to centenary square last year so meeting at the bull may be a better bet

rizla I'm getting the train so could meet you on that. Whats your nearest station?

I'll drive in dude. I live the on a different train line to you. I can park at millennium point for free so I'll prolly do that.

Sorry mate memory failure.

anyone go? find anything new?

I am gonna have to bow out of this next week. Just discovered a crack in the chainstay of my soul. Probably from doing to much of this sort of thing!

[b]I_Ache[/b] - Will you be taking your BFe? I'm thinking of getting one to replace the Soul, but downsizing to a medium. Be amazing if I could have a sit on yours to see if I reckon it's do-able...? (Cheeky I know)

Serious question, I like the sound of an urban ride but do you lot ride trials? as I can manage stairs and smallish drops, and never done an escalator but I'll give it a go, but that's the limit of my skills.

Oh, and can I come? 🙂

I rode a bit of trials when I was younger, but I never got that good. These days I mostly enjoy bombing down stairs, smallish drops etc. All abilities are welcome I'm sure.

mattk, my abilities are similar to yours, a can do s few drops and a bunny hop or 2 but am not any kind of trials rider. Any hoppy stuff is well beyond me!

Swingbing I wasn't planing on taking it because I'm still recovering from a broken leg/ankle and I think the stairs will be too much for it. If you live anywhere near Sutton Coldfield you are welcome to have a go on a Sutton park ride.

Mattk as far as I am concerned trials are a dark art, just bombing down stairs and doing drops off walls and finding little things to jump is my aim of the night. I'm scared shitless at the thought of riding down the mailbox escalators but if others clear it I will try.

Also in my eyes everybody is welcome, the more the merrier.

WHAT sort/type of bikes do you use for this sort of thing?

I cant come on this being in Edinburgh but its got my interest... couldnt see any pics or vid of the Brum Mailbox on facetube... got any pictures of the escalators out of interest...

any photos of the bikes you use for this type of rideing please

you are welcome to have a go on a Sutton park ride

That would be great, I live in Birmingham itself but have ridden sutton park a couple of times. Don't have a working bike at the moment though so no actual riding for me until further notice! If you're willing to meet up just to let me try the bike for size I'll gladly buy you a pint or two for your troubles!

I'll be riding my On One 456 cos my meta has a broken derailer... pretty safe to assume I'll not be riding any escalators, pretty sure the bike can do it, not sure if I can make it do that though.

I will be riding my Spesh Enduro because of the aforementioned skeletal issue, I think a hardtail would be the best bet tho.

I will try and get a pic of it, not sure if I can on my phone.

Swingbing what do you suggest?

This is what I'm using.

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/29930426@N04/6081649003/ ]P1000889[/url]

I'll be using my rigid genesis io, as it's my only working mtb at the moment.

Jumping its great, but stairs have to be riden a bit slower.

I'd bring my bmx, but you'd all be expecting gnarr skills that I just don't have!

[b]I_Ache[/b] Meet up where ever is easiest for you, I take it you're close to Sutton Coldfield? Maybe Wednesday evening?

Can't do Wednesday I'm afraid. How about Saturday evening at around 7:30 either at the park house in Sutton park or at my local, the crown on Walsall road?

I'm supposed to be in Leicester all next weekend unfortunately. I'll see if I can get back to Brum for the Saturday evening and let you know.

I'm sure we can sort something out. To save clogging up this thread my email is in my profile.

Getting back on track, I have just got the bike running nicely and am now a bit excited. I'll be the tall bloke in his 30's on a Planet-X Jack Flash who can't jump!

I can also be Identified by my stupid Movember tash.

I've not seen a jack flash for years. You don't have a leopard skin paint job on it do you?

leopard skin you say.... awesome.

I used to ride, in sutton park, with a guy that still has a leopard skin jack flask. Those frames are built like tanks.

Plain black I'm afraid, some of the most hardwaring paint I've ever encountered. It's a somewhat interesting build but I think it will be pretty damn good for some street fun. just debating whether to put done DH tubes in.

Stick DH tubes in if your planning on really hitting things.

so who is going then? Meet time is 7:30 at the bull ring bull on Thursday 15th. Let's get some numbers and bike descriptions so we don't leave anybody behind.

so far we have.

I_Ache Silver Enduro
Passtherizla 456
Lunge black jack flash
Mattk genesis io rigid

who else is coming?

i'm 90% there, will let you know if I can't make it this Thursday

Black On one C456.

Hmm, should I be concerned that everyone else's bike can be pedalled a reasonable distance if needed? I'm a 6'4" bloke in a 15" frame, I'm going no where fast!