As some of you will have noticed the time had come round once again for the Big Wheel Charity event. This is run by the Basingstoke Hospice and has for the past few years had mobile marshals supplied by members of SAM.

Steve Flood heads the organising along with Rex Brittain and a few others. This year was no different and the plea’s for help had gone out as per the normal run of things within the club and although not too many people came forward we managed to get together some 13 riders with top boxes and panniers full of water and some with puncture repair kits. After getting paired up we set off for our first stop point, this can take some time as the longest of the three routes was 50miles. Although this long route was optional and the routes well signposted with static marshals, some people did get on the wrong route and that is where we try to help out. In some cases it was too late to turn back so they go for the long route.

Some of the hills that these sponsored participants go up are quite impressive. On occasions, as travelling marshals, we stopped to help. At one point Colin and I got stopped and asked if we could fix a loose saddle as the cyclist had been stood up for the last 5 miles!

Punctures are a frequent event on these bicycles and when you only have a screwdriver to get the tube out and no pump to find the leak in the first place it is surprising what you can do to repair an inner tube. The most common problem in the couple of years that I have been helping is dehydration, as people seem to think they don’t need any fluids even with the temperatures up in the high 70’s, sometimes it makes you wonder where they leave their minds. Still, all said and done it makes for an interesting day, so next time you see this event come round, at least come along and see how it all works. If you do volunteer to help remember the puncture repair kit, pump, first aid kit, maps, radio, mobile phone, sandwiches and tool kit! Pssstt - do you want to buy some panniers ??