Author: Secretary

Strava Heatmap

Posted on by Secretary

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!

Ring of Fire Charity Bike Ride

Posted on by Secretary

We were contacted recently by Sam Whiting, a Year 10 student at Kennet School in Thatcham, who is organising a local charity bike ride on 22 June. Known as the “Ring of Fire“, it costs £10 to enter, 100% of which will go directly to two worthwhile causes – The Fire Fighters Charity and Camp Uganda.

The event has been given its name due to its link with the Fire Fighter’s Charity, and also because the various routes (10, 30 and 60 miles) all pass at least one local fire station. Also, the four West Berkshire fire stations (Newbury, Lambourn, Pangbourne and Hungerford) will be used as checkpoints, where  snacks and beverages will be sold.

Sam is hoping to raise £4,000, which will enable him to go on an expedition to Uganda, where he will do project work to dramatically improving the lives of people in underprivileged communities. He is donating half of the money raised to the Fire Fighters Charity due to the obvious links and the great work they do helping fire-fighters who have been injured during the course of their work. Sam has a personal connection to the charity, since his father is a fire fighter at Newbury fire station.

We would encourage everyone to support this event. Whether you’re after a healthy way to spend the day with your family or a testing challenge, there’s a route for you. Have fun, get fit and challenge yourself whilst supporting two good causes. For further information, visit: www.rofbikeride.weebly.com.

Space for Cycling

Posted on by Secretary

You may have seen some publicity in the media around the Space for Cycling campaign. This is a joint call to action launched by independent local and regional cycling groups across the UK following a very successful launch by London Cycle Campaign in 2013.

Space for Cycling has a Steering Group formed by the major national cycling organisations and city campaigning groups who have already made a start on their campaigns for elections that are taking place in May 2014.

While West Berkshire Council doesn’t have any elections this year, it is clear that cycling has fallen a long way down the local list of political priorities. The Get Britiain Cycling Report, published last year, recommended a spend of £10 per head on new cycling infrastructure rising to £20 as cycling increases. This is the MINIMUM spend that is required if we are to make cycling mainstream.

If you strip out maintenance dressed up as bridleway improvement schemes, West Berkshire Council is planning to spend just £0.65 per person on cycling facilities this year. This isn’t good enough, so Spokes is encouraging you to go to the Space4Cycling website pledge your support and email your local councillors to ask them to make Space for Cycling. Together we can make a difference!

Spokes Bike Ride Programme 2014

Posted on by Secretary

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!

Farewell to Alan Stuart

Posted on by Secretary

“It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Alan Stuart. Alan died on the 16th April at the Royal Berks Hospital after surgery for bowel cancer.  Although the operation was successful, his health deteriorated and his heart finally gave up.

I was privileged to have know and worked alongside Alan over the past few years. I knew him through the West Berkshire Cycle Forum. As well as being a member of the forum, Alan was also the “Right To Ride” officer for the Reading branch of the CTC. Right to the end Alan was a passionate and enthusiastic campaigner for cycling.

My personal lasting memory of Alan will be a private conversation I had with him a few weeks before his passing, when he told me a story about his youth. Alan was living somewhere in South London during the 2nd World War – I guess he would have been in his mid teens.

Alan told me how he and his friends would cycle out to a velodrome somewhere in that area. When the German bombers would pass overhead, Alan and his friends would find a hedge to hide behind whilst the bombs were dropping. When they thought the danger had gone they got back on their bikes and continued their ride.

Alan’s passing is a great loss to the world of cycling and he will be greatly missed by all that knew him.”

Alan Lane – Spokes Treasurer