Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

National Cyclists' Memorial, Meriden

National Cyclists' Memorial, Meriden

Highlight • Monument

National Cyclists' Memorial, Meriden

Recommended by 117 road cyclists out of 118

Save

Location: Meriden, West Midlands Region, England, United Kingdom

Save

See rides here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Road Cycling Rides to National Cyclists' Memorial, Meriden

riders

1. A figure of eight from Berkswell to the National Cyclists Memorial & NT Packwood House

59.6km

02:42

430m

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.2

(13)

139

riders

2. Berkswell Village – Berkswell Windmill loop from Canley

39.0km

01:37

260m

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

riders

3. Maxstoke Priory Ruins – Berkswell Village loop from Bournville

74.4km

03:15

550m

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Tips

Daveali

March 30, 2019

The obelisk honors the cyclist troops who were killed during World War I.

In 1914, cycling was incredibly popular in the UK. During the war, the British army included a Cyclist Corps which employed bicycle-riding messengers, coastal lookouts and scouts. The two-wheeled troops often found themselves behind enemy lines. One division advertised for recruits with the slogan: “Are you fond of cycling, if so why not cycle for the King.” (It generously added, “bad teeth no bar.”)

While the majority of these specialist troops were actually converted to conventional infantry and sent to the gridlocked trenches of France, bicycle troops were used by the British all through the war. When the fighting was over, in 1918, members of cycling clubs realized how many people had not returned. A monument was built to honor all the cyclists who were killed in battle.

The 32-ton, Cornish Granite-faced obelisk was installed using donations from cyclists all over the country, and Meriden was chosen for its location at the center of the country. The future king Edward VIII (then Prince of Wales) even auctioned his own bicycle to contribute to the fund. It was unveiled on May 21, 1921 with a ceremony attended by over 20,000 people. An annual service of remembrance is held each May, which hundreds of cyclists pedal their way to Meriden to take part in.

Bicycles were also used in World War II by hundreds of paratroopers who were given a special folding bike, and commandos, during the second wave after D-day. In 1963, a bronze plaque was added to commemorate the fallen cyclists from the Second World War.

Citation atlasobscura.com/places/national-cyclists-memorial

Jay

April 9, 2021

A nice green to take a rest and have a drink . Nice shops to grab a snack or even chips if you fancy.

MikeyM

August 20, 2021

Nice place for a short break while cycling, available store if youneed a refills.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 9 December

15°C

9°C

98 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Meriden, West Midlands Region, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Maxstoke Priory Ruins

Henwood Mill Water Wheel and Ford

St Laurence’s Church, Meriden

St John the Baptist Church, Berkswell

Millennium Way Path – Walk 12 Section

Millison's Wood Bluebell Forest

Honiley Road

View of Birmingham from the A45 Bridge

View of Kenilworth Castle

Knowle Locks

Kenilworth Greenway Temporary Diversion

Meriden Pond

National Cyclists' Memorial, Meriden

1. A figure of eight from Berkswell to the National Cyclists Memorial & NT Packwood House

2. Berkswell Village – Berkswell Windmill loop from Canley

3. Maxstoke Priory Ruins – Berkswell Village loop from Bournville

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️