Stonehouse Wheelers

INDEED the winter months are falling on us fast this year, or it seems so, and adjustment to type of clothing worn on the rides is an absolute unless like just a few who seem to be able to stick out winter and summer in the minimal of gear.

Still the autumn also has a magic feel about it for it heralds the coming of change and nothing can compare with the colours of the trees changing daily and falling like snow sometimes.

The backdrop is so changeable and what is best about it is it is all free to just admire its beauty.

On this build up to a changing season it was very pleasing to see more cycle racing to watch, now indoors, on the television (though perhaps it could be considered lucky if noticed in the TV schedules).

This was the World Cup track series held in Glasgow at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

It turned out to be a great spectacle with plenty of crashes,though not too serious as far as known, to the extent that this could be speedway.

Team GB again excelled themselves with the most gains of gold and without the big Olympic stars this time.

This must mean well for the future for these were young riders such as Kate Archibold and Mannon Lloyd riding the Madison style race which was very exciting to watch, even the spills they had created more nail biting drama to the end.

The Wheelers however must have taken this track work to heart for one ride took a few members tracing the Stonehouse to Nailsworth rail track, or its remains, and surprisingly whilst not a long or tedious ride was very interesting.

Instead of riding past the signs of past existence of the line it was possible to stop and look.

Some roads were named Railway Close and the likes and obvious other signs like Dudbridge station and the start point from Stonehouse along with the awesome viaduct built for the Stroud branch line still standing and its arches still in use.

A look at old pictures of the coaches suggests that they were not luxurious in the slightest way and third class were maybe open for passengers.

With very smoky engines a journey would have seemed to us nowadays difficult.

One image looked at was possibly at the opening of Nailsworth station and someone in a top hat.

Beat that.

But with so many stations along the route travel time must have seemed never ending for if any speed was built up it would be stopping again.

The only consolation possibly to these conditions is that the ride would have been more comfortable on rails than riding a cycle on the path today.

The ride programme for the autumn is taking over and runs becoming more geared to the time of year.

Lights are important and some rides are just bordering on returning home before full darkness.

An interesting incident was experienced when an aptly named ride called a Different way to the Cafe managed to produce several of the group discovering more than one, and different than that which was the idea of the leader.

Still all met up at the important tea stop.

The unknown destination to Thistledown has also been solved leaving just one autumn ride remaining and then the higher level of the club will need to devise suitable venues for the December/January part of the calendar.

This can be tricky when weighing up length of run but also will it be frosty very cold or rainy.

The consolation though comes from the fact that we can all look forward to the annual Carol Service (courtesy of Stroud Valleys Cycling Club) and the annual lunch with the usual Christmas fare.

An indication of a skittles match has also been mentioned so now there is no reason for the coming months not to be just as good as the summer ones.

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 the Chairman on 01453 827929.