Stonehouse Wheelers

WELL the seasons come and go and fortunately better weather can be something to look forward to going into the next season.

Leaders of rides and planners of such things is perhaps an unenviable job for the weather can still be a deciding factor.

Leaders sometimes have the dilemma of maintaining the selected route chosen by the exalted ones in the position of those drawing them up and the riders who choose to take a ride have to expect the ride will take place, or check with a leader if arrangements still stand.

Fortunately this scenario rarely happens with any consequences of substantial changes and indeed Wheelers have formed a reputation of pursuing arrangements irrespective of other problems.

This attitude however is always taken seriously by ride leaders who themselves are chosen for experience and have been assessed by their peers to be capable and sensible enough to carry out such duties as detailed in such selection.

The leader has to brief the group of riders on the day about route hazards, eg narrow sections of road, difficult junctions and correct procedure for group riding particularly the need to single up on busy roads and oncoming traffic.

Leaders need to consider the general ability of the group and set a pace accordingly with suitable stops along the way.

The riders are expected to adhere to club rules and embodied within them are their bicycle standards of requirements.

The leader can if so minded decline a rider on these grounds so it can be seen that the leader has quite a responsibility.

Perhaps not the same when looking back on the rules applying at the origins of the club when a cyclist having mechanical trouble had to ride some distance behind accompanied by another rider to ensure no interference with the main group.

Times change for the numbers then and now are greatly different but then again so is the traffic to contend with.

The group now contends with traffic not cyclists.

Well maybe one day the two modes of travel will be separated to assist in the pleasure rather than hinder both cyclist and motorist but perhaps better not to hold the breath back.

Well festive times are over for another year and already well into the New Year and into the New Year resolutions.

With Christmas and New Year day falling on a Sunday this time the December runs were a few less for family take precedence over riding.

The annual carol service and along with the annual lunch being two enjoyable events, December finishing with a hilly route out to Prinknash Abbey.

The January runs are noticeably shorter and maintain lower ground giving maybe a chance to recover from recent activity and slowly readying for the new seasons approaching rides.

A skittles evening forthcoming in February will also no doubt be enjoyable allowing all to get back to regular activity and glancing over the proposed rides notice local ides are prominent along with the Gloucester area to further assist in this.

One person who obviously does not need to start a Christmas hangover recovery is the French gentleman who recently won the record for longest distance travelled over one hour.

That must be Sir Bradley or Frome breaking their own record but no he was 105 and now holds that record as the oldest cyclist.

Well some 14 miles compared to 30 miles of the professionals.

Surely no one can challenge that for he also holds it for oldest when he was 102 years old.

Wow he probably is not in need of recovery time.

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.