Stonehouse Wheelers

TALK of money usually makes people attentive and quite rightly, so it is with interest that the government announced recently that some large amount of it was to be allocated to cycling.

This of course happens from time to time with ambitious plans to expand and encourage cycling which is probably good reading in a political sense.

It could be questioned which allocation is this one and where is it going to go and indeed will it remain in place after the latest government shuffling.

Supposedly an amount has been allocated to a national cycling group to explicitly encourage people into cycling.

This sounds good but meandering around the roads of Gloucestershire maybe perhaps positive improvements would be a better encouragement for people to use their bike more often.

All this encouragement may be rubbing off on more people than thought for the TV coverage following the latest Tour de Yorkshire showed a great turnout of spectators who were not disappointed with the Yorkshire scenery but perhaps the bit off putting part may have been the climb up the Shibden hill, Halifax.

Well they are professionals.

Good job too for a very disappointed man was Geraint Thomas in the Tour of Italy event with an unfortunate accident causing him to leave the race.

However not to be too pessimistic a few rides over the last weeks have been really very satisfying.

Some quiet roads have been used, well relatively quiet, and for the first time this season some real sunshine enabling riders to look like cyclists in their dress rather than heavy topcoats and yes even shorts have been in use.

The spring crop of Rape Seed Oil produces the most splendid views perhaps with the lambs now increased in size and even the first picnic of the year at a lovely spot by the River Severn.

The route on this day took the canal trail and unusually fishermen seemed to be rather careless positioning their rods to the peril of of all.

The ride to the lakes beyond Cirencester also produced lovely scenery and generally a quiet ride with plenty of walkers and boat type people around to make this ride just a bit different.

The top brass have obviously taken note that summer could well be actually here and bearing in mind the above comments about quiet roads and scenery have chosen a couple of picnics instead of the usual cafe stop.

One is listed as a Museum in the Park picnic but will entail a round about route to get there.

Westbury Gardens is a new venue so should show a good turn out of members and if distance is required then the annual Avebury destination is available for the hardy ones amongst the membership, and also an appreciation of large stones.

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.