Tag: social rides

2024 Rides

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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 😊

Social Rides Review

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A word from William, our Social Rides Coordinator:

Spokes rides have now finished, well for 2021 at least. Due to Covid we didn’t start until April, but when we did, there was plenty of untapped energy and all places were filled until the rules were relaxed and summer “holidays” began.

We continued the trend from 2020 and rides went off in groups of six. Unfortunately, we did have to cancel two rides due to bad weather. Though in general the weather was pretty kind to us, and there was certainly plenty of coffee drunk and cakes eaten too. Although, for one group there was a bit of wait at Bedwyn for elevenses and for another, there was disappointment that the cake shop wasn’t open!

Anyways, overall it has been another bumper year for the rides, and we have launched a survey for those who attended our rides, so we can get feedback and make adjustments and improvements for next year.

For 2022, the rides will run from March to October. They are publicised through www.letsride.co.uk, and I will also take a leaf out of Newbury Road Club and look into using Spond to help with ride coordination.

Another trend also going about is to label rides green, blue, red and black. And for those not in the know, that’s a grading system used for ski runs. So for Spokes a black ride would probably be the once a year special 60 mile route organised close to the longest day (but don’t worry were back by 3.30pm this year, having started at 9am). And a green ride probably equates to a 25 mile, not so hilly, ride. Most rides this year were about 30 miles with some hills.

Finally, a shout out to those who helped leading the rides this year – Gordon, Tim, Steve and Mike.

Bike Week 2015

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bikeweeklogo

Bike Week is an annual campaign designed to promote cycling, encouraging ‘everyday cycling for everyone’. Demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, the week aims to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, whether this be for fun, as a means of getting around to work or school, the local shops or just to visit friends. The 2015 event will take place 13-21st June.

As the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK, Bike Week encourages over half a million people to join in events, rethink their everyday journeys and choose cycling as the most convenient, healthy and fund way to get around. There are lots of  events planned for 2015.

This year’s Bike Week has a special focus on encouraging people to use their bikes to cycle to work. Why not use Bike Week to organise your own events? Organise a social ride with colleagues, scope out the easiest route to your place of work, find a cycle buddy, or take part in a workplace challenge.

Spokes are running two social bike rides during Bike Week, which are open to members and non-members alike:

We are also holding our AGM during Bike Week, so if you are a member or would like to join, then please come along.  We are really in need of people to help with all the cool projects that we have planned for the coming year.

Also, if you would like advice on any aspect of cycling from what kind of bike to buy to how to fix a puncture to choosing a route, or if you are interested in learning to ride or brushing up on your cycling skills with a bit of Bikeability training, then please contact us.

Social Bike Rides and Charity Rides

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signpostFollowing on from the success of last year, Spokes has organised another programme of social bike rides on various Saturdays throughout the spring, summer and autumn of 2015. With distances ranging from 12 to 67 miles, there is something for everyone. All rides start and finish in West Mills, Newbury. Riders meet near the war memorial between Lloyd’s Bank and St Nicolas Church. To find out more and to book your place for any of the rides, please visit our page on the goskyride.com website. You can also download the full programme from our website, or pick up a leaflet from local bike shops or the visitor information centre in Newbury.

If that’s not enough or you, then why not sign up for one of the many local charity rides that are happening over the next couple of months across West Berkshire:

  • Purley Primary School are organising the Tour de Purley on 10 May to raise funds for the school. There are four routes of varying length from 1km for pupils and younger siblings to 30 miles for the more adventurous. Fur further information, see: www.tourdepurley.org.
  • The Black Hole Sportive takes place on 31 May and is raising money for  Newbury RFC U16’s to coach rugby to children in Brasilian favelas in August 2015 and host a grass rugby festival for them in Rio. There are 20 and 50 mile routes. For further information, please visit: http://velo-events.com/events-2/black-hole-sportive.
  • The Ring of Fire charity bike ride returns for its second year on 28 June. It is seeking to raise money for the Firefighter’s Charity and Camp Uganda. There are 10, 30 and 60 mile routes available and everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw. To find out more, go to: http://rofbikeride.weebly.com.

Spokes Bike Ride Programme 2014

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If you live in the Newbury area and are looking a bit of inspiration or encouragement to get out on your bike, then you might want to sign up for one of our guided bike rides.

We have a variety of routes ranging from 17 to 44 miles.  These mostly follow quiet roads and towpaths and take in some of the most scenic countryside in the area.

We aim to ride at a fairly relaxed pace of around 10 to 12 mph.  The rides are open to all, but we do ask that anyone under the age of 16 is accompanied by an adult.

You can download the whole ride programme from our website, or pick up a leaflet at local bike shops, from Newbury Library or from the visitor information centre.

To book your place on any of the rides, visit www.goskyride.com and search for rides near Newbury. Registration is free and helps us to get a feel for the numbers to expect.

If you want to find out more about any of the rides, then please get in touch. We look forward to seeing you soon!