Tag: maintenance

Spokes @ GreenFest 2022 Report

Posted on by Secretary

On the Spokes stall back in GreenFest 2019, questions and comments were dominated by the relatively newly opened Hermitage to Hampstead Norreys traffic free shared used path. At this 2022 year’s event, the path – and its potential extensions North and South – were still a talking point. But there was was a broader set of talking points too.

With environmentally related groups attending the event from Pangbourne, Mortimer and Burghfield – we had various comments on cycling and cyclist needs in those areas of West Berkshire. Cycling facilities along the A4, particularly with the recent changes between Waitrose and Brummel Road, was also a hot topic. Fortunately, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge, Clive and Gordon were on hand to answer and respond to the stall’s visitors.

Noticeably, many people spoke about their new electric bikes which have brought a new lease of life! However, for some there is a concern of where to securely park their bike. Whilst Spokes encourages, or through planning applications will comment on, cycling parking facilities – it is not always possible to place them immediately outside an office, shop, etc. However, various people did say they don’t mind walking from and to a more secure cycling facility (e.g. a cycling hub). What are your thoughts? Would you use a cycling hub in your local town’s centre?

Another common comment was that people thought they are “cheating” with their electric bike – particularly on rides. For Spokes, we have had a some riders on electric bikes for about five years now. Anything that gets you out, meeting others and is an alternative to a less environmentally form of transport is definitely not cheating – surely desirable!

In the space of less than 30 minutes, two people talked about their experiences of using tricycles to assist with a poor sense of balance. One in particular is looking for a compact folding tricycle, do you know of one? And talking of folding, I had the good fortune to talk to one of the original founders and investors of Brompton. He put in £100 in the mid-seventies to help kick off a fantastic business and one that is responsible for “the” design for a folding bike, not a bike that folds. I thought my purchase of a Brompton in 1995 with a number in the 5000’s was impressive, this person’s Brompton’s was numbered 20!

We gave a way a number of old logo tabards – they weren’t making anyone more seen when in my shed. Although I felt sorry for the family of four when there was only two left of the child sizes. Still they did all get a free bell!

Many people took away the very popular free local cycling maps and routes, M-check sheets (check online if you don’t know what this is) and the odd tip to help them enjoy cycling more.

Big thanks to Gordon and Josh for a very early start, the extended help from Clive, and Ed for general help on the stall and transporting all the gear back. William

NCN4 Gets Tar & Chip Surface

Posted on by Secretary

It’s been about a year since the section of the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath between Hambridge Road and the A339 was surfaced. The Canal and River Trust (C&RT) consulted when this was first proposed, and the feedback was that people wanted the path to have a surface dressing to soften its appearance and make it appear less urban.

The C&RT have finally got round to finishing the job, and the finished result looks pretty good. However, it now means that there is a layer of loose stones on the surface, which is far from ideal for cyclists. The stones are laid on a thin screed of bitumen and are initially rolled in, but they then need to be compacted by people walking and cycling along the path, which is a process that takes place over several months.

This means that cyclists will needs to take extra care when using this section of towpath, since sudden braking or turning manoeuvres could result in skidding. The transition to and from the bridges now represent a particular hazard. This is a common maintenance technique for roads and schemes are usually accompanied by signs advising road users to slow down due to the presence of loose chippings. We will be asking for signs to be put up to advise cyclists of the issue and encourage them to slow down (or potentially dismount at critical locations) while the stones bed in.

Bike Maintenance Class

Posted on by Secretary

Two people fixing bikes

Would you like to learn basic bike maintenance skills, such as performing routine checks, adjusting brakes and gears, and fixing a puncture? We are running a FREE bike maintenance workshop at Ace Space in Newbury on Saturday 19 May between 14:45 and 17:15.

You don’t need to bring your own bike, but if you have particular issues that you would like us to look at, then we are happy to do so. Unfortunately, our insurance limits us to making adjustments rather than repairs, but if we can’t fix the problem, then remember that Spokes members get 10% discount on parts at local bike shops including Banjo’s, Specialized and Bikelux.

Where possible, we ask that you book your place in advance. Contact us to find out more and to make a booking.

Campaign to Maintain Kennet & Avon Towpath

Posted on by Secretary

Here at Spokes, we’ve become increasingly concerned about the sustained lack of maintenance of the Kennet and Avon Towpath, particularly the rural stretches out towards Marsh Benham and to the east of Colthrop. Despite forming part of National Cycle Network Route 4, the path has been left to degrade to such an extent that we now consider it to be inherently unsafe.

When the path was originally constructed it was 1.5 – 2m wide for most of its length, even in the more rural areas. However, the grass has encroached to such an extent that it is now less than 0.3m wide in places, with a pronounced lip on either side. This makes it virtually unusable by anyone on a bike, since it is very easy for a wheel to catch the lip and unseat the rider. We have spoken to several people who indicated that they or a member of their party had fallen off on these sections.

The path also suffers from poor drainage. Given that it is nothing more than a rut in the grassy bank, it is not surprising that it fills with water whenever it rains. This conceals the true extent of the hazard and leaves a muddy, slippery mess as it dries, which makes it even more difficult to navigate on a bike. What’s more, there are several sections where large notches have been eroded in the bank and cut into the path.  If you are not looking for them, then it would be very easy to ride into one and fall straight into the canal.

This is completely unacceptable. If this was a road, it would not be allowed to fall into such disrepair. Cyclists should expect similar maintenance standards of maintenance to be applied to ensure their safety on these sections of the National Cycle Network, which is popular with leisure cyclists and families.

We are aware that developer contributions have just been made available from the Newbury Racecourse development to improve the section of the towpath between Newbury and Thatcham, which is very welcome and we look forward to these sections being repaired and upgraded.  However, this should not be allowed to distract from maintenance liabilities on the other sections of route.

We appreciate that funding and resources may be tight, but the Canal and River Trust still have a duty of care to the users of their towpath, including cyclists. We have contacted the Waterway Manager for the Kennet & Avon to highlight the problem and to ask that they take urgent action. We have also suggested that they could pool resources with Sustrans and West Berkshire Council. The Council has been very responsive with Cllr Ardagh-Walter inviting the Waterway Manager to the next meeting of the Cycle Forum in December and suggesting that we could undertake a more detailed audit of the route to help the Trust.

If you would like to add your voice to the campaign, we would suggest that you contact the Canal & River Trust directly by emailing: enquiries.kennetavon@canalrivertrust.org.uk

What parents need to know about buying children’s bikes at Christmas

Posted on by Secretary

Chidren's bikes

Although sometimes it seems as though every kid just wants the latest games console, tablet or smartphone, bikes are still a popular Christmas present.  At Spokes, we would always recommend that you buy from your local bike shop (remember Spokes members get 10% discount on new bikes). They have the best products, they can advise you about the correct size bike for your child, they will assemble it and carry out safety checks, and they will set up the bike correctly for you. They will also offer a free 6 week check and make any adjustments after the bike has gone through its initial bedding-in period.

However, we recognise that many parents will still look to on-line retailers or places like Argos, Tesco and Halfords to get their bikes. The disadvantage of buying from these places is that the bike will require an element of self-assembly, or at best will have been hastily put together by a harassed shop assistant. As a result, we have seen many bikes that have been assembled incorrectly and in some cases, they have been in a condition that puts the child at risk of serious injury.

Some of the faults that we have seen include:

  • Forks put on back to front.
  • Loose handlebars and stems.
  • Wheels not properly secured.
  • Tyres not properly seated on the rims.
  • Tyres on the wrong way round.
  • Brakes blocks misaligned / rubbing.
  • Brakes not engaging properly when pulled.
  • Brake levers not at the correct angle.
  • Pedals cross-threaded (remember the left pedal has a reverse thread!)
  • Loose / misaligned saddles.
  • Poorly indexed gears.

The good news is that these can easily be checked and sorted before your child gets on the bike. There is a wealth of information, advice and step-by-step videos available on-line at madegood.org. However, if you still have concerns about the safety of your child’s bike, then we would suggest that you take it to your local bike shop. They can check it for you and advise about any repairs / work that needs to be carried out.