Stonehouse Wheelers Early Winter Rides

THE rides for the early winter months have been set up and as expected for this period are not as risky as the summer/autumn runs.

Risky is an expression used carefully for very often the risk associated with winter rides turns out to be no more than slippy roads due to wet compacted leaves, especially on the edge of the road, and less visible potholes.

Well potholes could be a subject on its own and probably everybody has their own favourite one to watch out for.

However the burden of arranging rides falls onto a few members several times a year and perhaps the winter months are a little more difficult when road conditions, reduced riding time due to lighting up times becoming earlier and the need to arrive at the regulatory tea stop at a sensible time.

This small team seem to do this admirably and only rain of the heavier nature very cold or strong winds seem to affect attendances.

The December and January runs have been circulated and posted on the web page and the proposed rides do indeed reflect the needs of this period by choosing flatter terrain and keeping off the higher ground such as the commons and more the valleys.

A lovely ride around the lanes of Elmore and Longney was taken but with a slight twist namely stopping to look at some of the house names.

In fact 21 were viewed but unfortunately even though the group tried to associate the names with the property not any were really established as being authentic to the location or type of property.

Probably though a number of householders did wonder why a group of cyclists had gathered around the gateways of the their property.

Continuing on the wet and windy theme a couple more rides come into this category one being to Oakridge Lynch Post Office.

This does buck the trend for mainly keeping to lower ground but usually is well worth the effort of climbing to the heights beyond Bisley and calling at the Post Office in Oakridge where the Post Mistress very kindly opens up in the afternoon to accommodate us with lovely cakes and refreshments.

The route had to be curtailed a little due to the roads usually taken were really overrun with water and debris but also the strong winds meant a good help up to Bisley but the need to pedal back with a bit more effort considering most is downhill.

The Stonehouse Wheelers enjoy having a good ride and will endure moderate weather, well perhaps not so moderate sometimes, but they also like to relax a bit as well, so an enjoyable Sunday lunch at a favoured old hostelry in Berkeley lived up to its previous reputation and all progressed homeward a little slower and certainly all feeling heavier.

Mentioning weather, a small forlorn group gathered for a ride over the Commons on a very wet and windy Sunday but the leader had to concede that perhaps the weather had won and keeping off the high grounds would be wise.

So a shorter ride along the Chalford valley was agreed but unknowingly along the very narrow part of the ride away from the main road minor floods were encountered.

As cyclists it was easy to pass through but the poor hikers that were passing at the same time could not avoid getting very wet feet.

Another repeat event greatly enjoyed by many members was the annual Carol Service, and as guests of this annual event well arranged by the Stroud Valleys Cycle Club with other area clubs allied to the national CTC organisation from Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester.

This is usually held in the St Georges Church in Cam with refreshments put on at the Cam memorial Hall, but this year due to reservation of the Church and Hall not being compatible, the Church had to be omitted leaving the Carols to be performed in the Hall.

Whilst different it went very well for the clever use of a keyboard and combined with ukuleles the usual singing with gusto was achieved.

One member took the service with a welcoming and closing prayer but surprise surprise he was also a practising vicar.

Well a surprise to some at least.

December has started well and more festive and social events will help to over ride the wet and windy weather currently being experienced.

Further details about the Stonehouse Wheelers can be obtained from our website at stonehousewheelers.org.uk on Twitter:@SWheelers and teastop.co.uk or from Secretary on 01453 298759.