New article on the Spokes’ cycle tour to Spain

The latest instalment, part four in the series, follows the tyre tracks of Ed, Will, Kevin and Koen as they crossed the Pyrenees in their self-supported trip to catch the Grand Depart stage of Le Tour de France, which started in Spain last summer. Click here to read more about the trip.

2024 Rides


Rides Survey

Firstly big thanks to all those who provided feedback on the 2023 rides. We had 27 responses and that’s up by 250%.

In general, Saturday remains the most preferred day for a ride. The ride length we have of around 30miles is definitely the preferred distance, with some preferring shorter rides and a few longer. (Note: We do have one extra-long ride in June, and we are looking at a plan for people riding shorter distances. More on that in a later article.)

Over one third were not able to ride last year due to various circumstances, and that probably explains why numbers were down in 2023.

Finally, some people are not interested in group rides (so obviously they didn’t attend), and a few didn’t attend last year as not sure what to expect.

For those who are not sure what to expect, please check out the description of the 2024 rides below, please reach out to me at events@westberkshirespokes.org if you want to know more or join in on a ride.

2024 Rides

Spokes 2024 Social rides have not been uploaded to www.letsride.co.uk . They run from March to October, and are on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Each ride is around 30 miles, although the first is 24 miles, and the longest is 32 miles. They are graded from green to black (green being the easiest). A longer ride doesn’t always mean harder as the shorter route might have more ascending (in other words hillier). We ride at a pace of 10-12 mph. There is a café stop about halfway round (although the Saddleback Farm café closing may cause some adjustment). It’s a social ride, and people are able to converse as we wind ourselves round some lovely lanes and views.

Whilst we do try to make good use of quieter roads, sometimes we do need to go along short sections of more major roads, but it’s a small percentage of any ride. And, we occasionally go across Greenham common on the first part (rarely the last part) of a ride.

Our rides are probably not suitable if you haven’t ridden for a long while, only cycle short distances or are completely new to cycling. If you are in this group, then we may have a different option for you, or if you are not sure please email events@westberkshirespokes.org, as we would like to hear from you.

We set off at 09.30 promptly, and start gathering about 10-15 minutes before. Happy to meet up early if you want to go through more details, or would like us to give your bicycle a check over, particularly if you are experiencing any annoying little issues.

We hope to see you on a ride soon, and hope for good weather and pot-hole free roads 😊

Merry Christmas!

Great turn out for Spokes’s Christmas party this week, with a turnout of 18 people, at “The Newbury” pub, in central Newbury. A good mix of regulars, and semi-regulars from the Spokes rides (that run from March to October) as well as much of the committee and other active members. Three courses of scrummy food, intermixed with interesting and fun conversation and just a little alcohol – made it an enjoyable evening for all.

Not so great was my memory and forgetting to take a photograph of us all with our green Christmas cracker hats on. So the picture is Bing’s new AI feature’s take on “18 cyclists of mixed sex at their Christmas pub meal”. I tried other variations, and it definitely has a bias towards cyclists always having beards, even after I said “and no beards”. As a little aside, saw an interesting Ted talk today describing how AI may be an environmental threat due to the power it needs when it’s being “trained”.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all, and to a happy and healthy 2024!

Christmas Party AI Photo

Eagle Quarter Planning Application

The latest planning application for the Eagle Quarter sets out ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the Kennet Centre. Spokes has reviewed the application to see what provision will be made for cyclists and have submitted comments accordingly.

While cycle parking is proposed within the site for use by residents, we have highlighted issues with some of the proposed locations where cyclists would have to ride through the undercroft car park, or through the pedestrianised area within the site to access them. Also, we have raised concerns about the number of doors that cyclists would have to negotiate to access some of the cycle parking areas.

We were disappointed that the transport assessment appeared to assume that there was sufficient on-street cycle parking around the site, without having done a cycle parking audit, so we have asked that this be addressed. There were also a few inconsistencies in the way that the transport assessment considered access by bike to a range of local facilities, which we have also highlighted.

The proposed development would make some significant changes to the road layout, with Northbrook Street becoming two-way between Market Street and the new car park access. Although it is technically not legal for cyclists to travel south between Bridge Street and Market Street, many cyclists do this when the pedestrian and cycle zone is in force between 10am and 5pm. The proposed change would help to improve cycle permeability through the town centre and we have indicated our support for this.

The proposed travel plan for the site is fairly basic and uninspiring, and we have made some suggestions for improvements. However, there is provision for a cycle workshop within the site, which we support.

Further information on the Eagle Quarter proposals can be found here: https://www.eaglequarter.com/

If you would like to view / comment on the planning application, you can do so here:
http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp/index.asp?caseref=23/02094/FULMAJ

The planning application is likely to be considered by the Council’s Western Area Planning Committee early in the New Year.