Strava Heatmap

stravaheatmap
If you take your cycling at all seriously, then there is a good chance that you will have used Strava’s smart phone app at some stage. Strava’s primary purpose is to let cyclists log their rides and compete virtually against their personal best times, or against other people in their local area. However, with the data that has been collected since 2009, other uses for the data are starting to become apparent.

When the data from individual users is aggregated, it starts to show trends and common routes used by cyclists. Strava has released this data in the form of heatmaps, which show the routes cycled by users, with emphasis and weight given to the most common routes. This can be used to help identify where cyclists currently ride and where spending on cycling infrastructure should be prioritised.

Looking at the Newbury and Thatcham area highlights the importance of the A4 as a cycle route. Spokes has long campaigned for this route to be upgraded and this data adds additional weight to the argument. It is also interesting to note how well used the towpath is, including the section between Boundary Road and Thatcham Station. If so many people are using the towpath when it is in such a poor condition, imagine how many would use it when it is upgraded!

Help Needed for February Cycle Count

We are looking for volunteers to help with our next cycle count. This is a really important activity for Spokes, since the payment that we get from the Council is main source of our funding and is one of the reasons that membership is free.

There are 17 sites which need to be counted from 07:30 to 09:30 on 25th, 26th and 27th February:

Site 1: Newbury – Kennet & Avon Towpath (Beneath A339)
Site 2: Newbury – A339 (on Railway Bridge)
Site 3: Newbury – Robin Hood west arm (London Road)
Site 4: Newbury – Kiln Road / Walton Way
Site 5: Newbury – Love Lane (roundabout at Trinity School)
Site 6: Newbury – Andover Road (just north of St Bartholomew’s School)
Site 7: Newbury – Junction of Northcroft Lane & path to Monkey Bridge
Site 8: Newbury – Junction of Valley Road and Fifth Road
Site 9: Newbury – Junction of Battery End with Wash Common Recreation Ground
Site 10: Thatcham – A4 West of Lower Way
Site 11: Thatcham – Thatcham Station
Site 12: Thatcham – Corner of Bath Road & Green Lane
Site 13: Theale – Junction of High Street & Waterside Drive
Site 14: Hungerford – Staggered junction near Town Hall – Church St & Park St
Site 15: Calcot – Junction of Langley Hill & Bath Road
Site 16: Tilehurst – Junction of Dark Lane & Overdown Road
Site 17: Purley – Junction of Knowsley Road & Oxford Road

If you can help with any of these, then please email us (chair@westberkshirespokes.org). You can do more than one count on subsequent days if you would like. Locations will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

We really appreciate the help that we get from our volunteers, who turn out in all weathers. To say thank you, everyone who counts for at least one hour will be entered in a prize draw for £50 of Banjo vouchers.

Cycling Treasure Hunt

Thatcham_NDSIf you are looking for something to do with your kids during the half-term break, then get on your bikes and get down to the Nature Discovery Centre, which is located off Lower Way in Thatcham. West Berkshire Council is organising a Halloween Treasure Hunt on 31 October between 10am and 2pm.

Collect a map and cycle off to find the pumpkins hidden in various locations around Thatcham. The route makes the most of quiet roads and cycle paths around the town. Make sure that you return to the Discovery Centre by 3pm to collect your reward. For more information about the treasure hunt, please contact Caroline Lane (clane@westberks.gov.uk).