Stonehouse Wheelers

TO MANY the word statistics conjures up long boring lists of facts and figures but also some may find them interesting, others may question the lists, and perhaps how such totals and percentages are arrived at with concluding remarks.

No doubt these studies are needed, for instance in future planning of roads comes to mind, but a couple of instances in a recent report from a well known national cycling organisation are interesting.

Apparently in a survey of their members the greater majority cycled for leisure but commuting /work was much lower.

Another report of particular interest to cyclists is a study of pothole repairs shows the allocated funds for this is woefully short of requirements with compensation for injury and damage running at very high levels.

One thing that seems unpredictable is sunshine and Wheelers members would like to have it more predictable, for sun shine makes cycling so much pleasanter.

Well perhaps not really for the absence or otherwise does add to the challenge of the rides.

Many cyclists will have watched the latest spectacle of British cycling in the form of the Tour De Yorkshire.

The title is alright but sometimes annoyingly using French for information notices.

The sun did shine though and a splendid spectacle was seen, the countryside really striking.

Alas Cavendish was not really up to his expected performance but was a means of perhaps regaining some fitness back.

By contrast the latest Tour of Italy has the classic look about it but Frome at the time of writing seems to be struggling.

One thing that is also noticeable is the programme providers seem to manage to squeeze in their advertising just at an interesting point in the race.

Some people and villages and towns make an effort to display their enthusiasm only to be completely bypassed.

It was noticed though that the bus shelters on the Yorkshire route were very clean so perhaps our local authorities may like to take a look at some of our shelters and emulate the same.

The last months have seen an interesting variation of runs undertaken and to mention a few particularly enjoyed were the first visit to Wotton-under- Edge with the charity organisations supplying an abundance of cakes and the chance to win a prize which seemingly a few did.

The Duntisbourne villages provided a good backdrop and a very warm day nearly enticing some to paddle in the streams passed by.

Whilst not many members were present those who did take the day ride out to Kilcot valley, being a first experience of this area for some, had a very enjoyable few hours and all in warm sunshine.

Holidays are just beginning to affect numbers who attend the arranged rides but as with the temperature this can very much go up and down but the higher powers who arrange such things do strive to present a varied programme and over the next couple of months the free wheeling competition is listed along with a visit to Cirencester via Kemble, Purton and the Church ladies who provide refreshments and a Sharpness picnic (the sun will be shining on that day) and also a day ride to the Ampneys.

Also included will be a ride to Chalford from the Subscription Rooms and on return a pizza at Brimscombe part of Bike Week and is a repeat of an event some years ago to demonstrate to the various authorities the need to look at cycle provision along this very busy road.

Good luck with that and it may be future planning will take this on board.

Well statistics must be available to show the need.

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