The Bits & Bobs Bike Board

This is a bits & bobs page where I'm generally loading up anything bike-related that might be useful when you are doing the Cake Tour. It's a work in progress and more will be added as Cake Tourers contact me with recommendations.

Please note - this is not just a generic list. Everything has been given by personal recommendation. So they should all be tried, tested and good.

Buying a second hand bike

Southern Cycles

Run by Nick, Southern Cycles is the place to go locally (Wallingford) for second hand kids bikes - including Isla, Squish and Frog bikes. Nick has tons, he's a superb mechanic and everything he sells is in great condition.

Nick - Southern Cycles

He has also has good bikes for students or village shoppers - nothing fancy but all in sound working order. Nick doesn't have a website but find him on Facebook under Southern Cycles. Tel 07970 194077

Farcycles - Faringdon

www.farcyclesbikeshop.com

I discovered this shop when I needed some local information about riding in the area. And the staff could not have been more helpful or friendly if they tried. A community bike hub they sell second hand bikes, parts, and have all sorts of great information about cycling in the Faringdon area. You can't go wrong. Tel: 01367 898068

Rides on Air, Wallingford

www.ridesonair.com

This is my local bike shop in Wallingford and I've always found them friendly and helpful. They have new bikes (Trek) and do bike repairs. What I like best is that you can go in, not knowing much about bikes, and they don't make you feel a total idiot. That's a big plus in my book.

Bike Repairs

Matt Simms the Bike Man

Matt is a superb bike mechanic. He will collect your bike from your home, fix it and return it to you. He'll even sometimes do after work pick ups, fix overnight, and back to you in the morning.

Matt comes with excellent recommendations from friends where he's done a great job on a racing, mountain bikes and more. Plus, he's reasonably priced. He is located in South Stoke, will travel about 10 miles to collect bikes or you can just take them round to his workshop. Tel: 07530 717 409.

Andy Bike Support

www.bike-support.co.uk

Andy comes highly recommended by a whole heap of local cyclists. A super mechanic, he is based in Marsh Baldon in Oxfordshire but will travel to where you are to sort out your bike or bring it back to his workshop. Working with everything from your basic station bike to your high end racer he not only knows his way around a spanner but will do bike-fit to make sure your bike is suited to you. (Actually, I should really call him on this as my bike seizes up my back entirely. Then again, I never stretch which is probably the more likely culprit).

Check out his superbly informative website or give him a call on 07527 270 107.

Other useful bike related resources

Goring Gap Cycling

If you're looking for routes or, in fact, anything cycling in the Goring Gap area then do visit the Goring Gap Cycling Website. www.goringgapcycling.co.uk . This website has been created by Steve - head of the Goring cycle group called The Gromils. Steve is very handy not only with a spanner but a website too and this site has TONS of rides, routes, and other useful information. (In fact, it makes this website look fairly pants if I'm honest).

Bikeability

Bikeability West Berks

West Berks are often looking for more instructors as there are 73 primary schools to get round (as a minimum) and at the moment, nine instructors. As instructors, there is SO much more we'd like to deliver (balance bikes, learn to ride as an adult, level threes in secondary schools etc) and the more instructors the better.

And, can I just tell you, being a Bikeability instructor is literally the best job ever. Why? Its a brilliant team, the hours are superbly flexible (tell me another job where you can either work 1 day a month or 5 days a week?) and you're outdoors, with kids, and having fun. Even on the bleakest February day we all come in grinning at 3pm. As for the kids? They simply love it.

So, if you would like to join the team please email bikeability@westberks.co.uk. Or, if you have any questions about the work and whether it might be right for you don't hesitate to drop me a line at heth@hethgoesbiking.com.

The Answers to the Quiz

For those Little Leggers (Go YOU! Well DONE!) who did the Yattendon Quiz, here are the answers for you:

1.        How many animals live at Frilsham Mill House? And what do we learn about the smaller animal that lives there?

Answer: Two animals – a cat and a dog. ‘The cat is shady’.

2.        If you were an Emperor Penguin (3ft tall) and waddled along the bottom of the ford when it was at maximum depth, would you be able to breathe or would you require a snorkel mask?

Answer: The ford is 6ft so yes, an Emperor Penguin would need a mask and snorkel

3.        There are two pubs in Stanford Dingley. If one pub wore the items from the other pub, how many of the other pub’s items would it need?

Answer: If the Bull wore Boots then it would need 4 (one for each hoof)

4.        Mazelands Farm has an impressive topiary tractor. Looking at it, can you guess the farmer’s name?

Answer: I’m pretty sure the number plate says Dave but if I’m honest, I forgot to write it down when I went past and need to cycle past it again.....

If you are a Little Legger and got them all right feel free to make yourself a medal and dance around the kitchen annoying your parents (just as they are making dinner is usually a good time) telling them how BRILLIANT you are at worksheets. Singing is also allowed. Loudly.