Issue 123: Spring 2025

Cycling trip in Riccione, a picturesque Italian seaside resort 6 miles south of Rimini which is easily reached by a flat bike ride or by electric train. The hotel is close to seafront with miles of promenade and a wide selection of shops, bars, and ice-cream parlours

Rimini old town has many sights including the Arch of Augustus from 27 BC, and Tiberius Bridge

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This is the third cycling trip that is being organised by Spokes in 2025 but is the earliest one in the year to take place

The Watford Green Loop is now open and being used by walkers, cyclists and other wheelers

Spokes conceived the idea of a circular cycling route around Watford using roads and tracks in 2019. Watford Borough Council adopted, and improved the idea including widening a shared use paths in Cassiobury Park

Two separate sets of signage have been provided. The totem signs being used on the off road (Green) areas. On the roads the conventional blue signs indicate the route

Now the Green Loop is established we hope it will enable successful bids for improving the cycling infrastructure on the more difficult parts of the Green Loop

https://www.watford.gov.uk/greenloop

Booking for the four day, three night cycling holiday in the Black Country opens today

The trip gives an opportunity to explore the area using canals and old railway paths and well as enjoying the architecture and culture

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This is one of three holidays we hope to arrange in 2025, look out for the others!

Innovative smart sensor technology is being tested on Solihull’s A34 Stratford Road in a bid to make busy crossings safer for cyclists and pedestrians

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Solihull Council have installed the ground-breaking technology at a toucan crossing near Blythe Valley. Sensors, developed by VivaCity, detect cyclists 20-30 meters away from the crossing compared to standard technology and enable the traffic signals to go green quicker, giving cyclists a smoother, uninterrupted journey on their bikes

The sensors use intelligent video analytics and advanced algorithms to accurately and anonymously classify users and avoid false detections, which could otherwise disrupt traffic flow. This not only improves safety but also encourages more people to consider cycling as a convenient and stress-free option for their daily journeys

This pilot marks the first use of such sensors for this purpose in the region, and it is expected to serve as a model for future projects aimed at reducing vehicle dependency and improving the quality of life for all road users in the West Midlands

For more information click here

A 32 mile ride the National Trust Ashridge Estate through lovely Chilterns countryside.

START: Blackwells, 10 The Common, Chipperfield, WD4 9BS.  

ROUTE PASSES:  Bovingdon; Ley Hill; Ashley Green; Aldbury; Ringshall; Little Gaddesden; Berkhamsted; Bourne End.

TAKES IN: Ashridge Estate; Chipperfield Common.

For full details of this route and to download the GPS file and cue sheet see RideWithGPS

A lovely ride 32 mile ride through Chilterns countryside.

START: Blackwells, 10 The Common, Chipperfield, WD4 9BS.  

ROUTE PASSES:  Flaunden; Chesham; Little Missenden; Holmer Green; High Wycombe; Chalfont St Giles; Little Chalfont.

TAKES IN: Chipperfield Common.

For full details of this route and to download the GPS file and cue sheet see RideWithGPS

A 22 mile pleasant ride on country lanes through farm land but with a few busy sections of road.

START: Car park at The Nap, Kings Langley WD4 8ET.  

ROUTE PASSES:  Bedmond; St Albans; Harpenden; Redbourn; Hemel Hempstead.

TAKES IN: Nickey Line.

For full details of this route and to download the GPS file and cue sheet see RideWithGPS