 My Journey Wokingham
My Journey Wokingham is our active travel team, helping residents and employees to travel more actively and sustainably if they choose to, for some or all of their journeys.
Evidence shows that cycling is good for your physical health and well-being, as well as improving your concentration, making it an excellent choice for commuting to work or travelling to school.
My Journey Wokingham is committed to breaking down barriers and making cycling accessible for all.
In this edition, we will be focusing on cycling, looking at buying and maintaining a bike, learning to ride and where in the borough you can cycle.
 Learning to ride
Cycle training for children
My Journey run cycle training for all ages and levels of ability. The majority of primary and secondary pupils in the borough will have Bikeability training at school, with 1,501 children taking part in 2021/22.
For younger children, sessions run in Woodley and Finchampstead, with Balance Club giving two to four year olds the chance to practice gliding on two wheels, and Learn to Ride teaching children aged five and over how to ride without stabilisers.
Cycle training for adults
Our adult cycle training courses are suitable for beginners, or those that haven't ridden for a long time. Level one teaches adults how to ride a bike and takes place on the tennis courts at Woodford Leisure Centre.
Level two, takes adults who are able to ride a bike, but lack confidence cycling on roads onto quiet local roads to cover the basics of road positioning and communicating with other road users.
Accessible cycling
Weekly sessions Woky Wheels 4 All run through term time and give people the opportunity to come along and try out our stable sit-down three wheeled cycle – perfect for anybody with balance or mobility issues.
 Buying and maintaining your bike
Buying a bike
When buying a bike, it is important to think about what you are planning on using it for, so that you can choose the best bike for your needs.
There are lots of different types of bikes, Our active travel team has more information on each type to help you make your decision, including:
- Road bikes
- Mountain bikes
- Hybrid bikes
- Folding bikes
- Electric bikes
- Step-through bikes
- Dutch-style bikes
- Recumbent bikes
- Touring bikes
- Tricycles
- BMX bikes
- Tandem
You will also need some accessories. The team have cycle helmets for children at £10 each, and a ten per cent off voucher to be used for accessories at Berkshire Cycles.
Setting up your bike
There are a number of things that you should consider with a bike, to make sure it is set up right.
Riding position
Your riding position can be altered by adjusting the saddle and handlebars. There are three things you want to achieve:
- The right saddle height
- Good contact with your pedals to maximise the power in your legs
- Ability to reach the handlebars and your brakes
Handlebar position
Well-positioned handlebars are crucial for your comfort, and important for control of your steering and brakes. A good position to start is with your handlebars at the same height as your saddle.
Saddle position
Getting the saddle in the right place will help you get the most from your pedal power without straining your body. Adjust the saddle so your leg pushes vertically down on the pedal.
Follow these three steps to find the right height for your saddle:
- Place your bike next to a large wall
- Hop on and put one hand on the wall for balance
- Put the ball of your foot on the pedal at its lowest point without stretching. Your leg should be almost straight, with a very slight bend in the knee. To double check, try with your heel on the pedal - this time your leg should be straight
Maintaining your bike
Before any journey it is important that you check your bike is roadworthy. Check out this helpful video from Sustrans to make sure your bike is ready to use, or read the Cycling UK bike maintenance guide.
The team sometimes brings along Dr Bike to events, who can provide a free bike check for you. Check out the events page to see where he'll be and book in.
 Getting out and about on your bike
Now that you're set up with your bike and know how to maintain it, you might be wondering where to ride. The team have a range of route suggestions with differing lengths, as well as interactive cycle maps with route type and local information highlighted.
My Journey Wokingham hold events throughout the year, as well as supporting events from partner organisations. You can find out where they are out and about on their events page.
There are cycling groups across the borough that suit all ages and abilities, which you can find out more about on the My Journey Wokingham webpage.
Regular events happen through the year through Love to Ride, during which individuals and groups can log their rides and be in with the chance of winning prizes. May is the Bike Month Challenge and already 303 riders have clocked up 36,882 miles.
You can also download the free Innovation Valley Rewards smartphone app, where you can log journeys and earn ValleyCoins, which can be redeemed for high street rewards or given to your favourite charity from within the app as well as earning ValleyTickets to enter weekly and monthly draws.
 Upcoming cycling events
Summer Cyclocross
Six weeks of Summer Cyclocross started on 19 May, with fun, twisting parkland courses that are accessible to all. Mountain bikes are more than welcome and are encouraged for new riders.
Each week will alternate between Dinton Pastures Country Park near Hurst and Goldwell Park, Newbury.
My Journey Wokingham is supporting the event at Dinton Pastures and has donated some rewards for riders.
For more information, including dates and times and how to book, visit the British Cycling website.
Three Counties Cycle Ride
The Three Counties Cycle Ride has 15, 33 and 54 mile routes through the countryside of Berkshire – Oxfordshire – Buckinghamshire. All routes are well signed and marshalled. The start and finish of all three routes is from Garth Hill College in Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 2AD.
Find out more or sign up for the Three Counties Cycle Ride, taking place on Sunday 12 June
Wokingham Bikeathon
The Wokingham Bikeathon takes place on Sunday 26 June. There will be the opportunity to try out an e-bike as My Journey Wokingham, in partnership with Wokingham Town Council, will be running an electric bike event at Cantley Park where the Bikeathon starts and finishes. Find out more and book a place on the My Journey website.
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