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Pedal Power

Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists – No.16 – December 2001

Ken plays Santa!

‘Major victory’ over London Cycle Network funding

A storm of protest has forced London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, to reverse Transport for London’s (TfL) proposed cut in cycle funding.

The dramatic U-turn came after Ken received more than 500 e-mailed complaints from cyclists outraged about the axing of cash earmarked for the London Cycle network, seemingly made in direct contradiction to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Red-faced officials moved quickly, announcing £8 million for local boroughs to spend on cycling provision and opening talks with cycle campaigners. The TfL Cycling Task Force met with London Cycling Campaign head, Peter Lewis, to discuss how the ring-fenced cash should be invested and released details of a promising looking cycling strategy (see www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk).

In a separate letter to Greenwich Cyclists, a TfL spokesperson said that their business plan includes "progressive and substantial increase in funding over the next few years for walking, cycling, and area based improvements". Hmm!

Len Duvall, Greenwich & Lewisham Greater London Assembly member (apparently an avid Pedal Power reader) also wrote to GC suggesting that the Mayor "did not understand some of the issues" and describing our action as "a major victory for London’s cyclists".

Thanks to everyone who participated in the campaign, we can now look forward to extending and improving the London Cycle Network and other facilities in the capital.

Xmas wish-list

Stand by your chimneys! What would be top of your Xmas list to a cycling Santa? We’ve a £10 prize for the best practical suggestion, something that could be implemented by, let’s say, Easter? Ideas to bikepest@hotmail.com by Xmas Eve.

Repeat visit to Velodrome

Second chance to ride the track

GC members plan to visit South London’s best kept cycling secret once again on 6 January.

Our afternoon at the Herne Hill Velodrome in November was simply exhilarating. Though designed for the 1948 Olympics, the track proved to be a hit with riders of all abilities. Thanks to the expert guidance of six times UK champion, Richard Williams (no relation – ed!) it took only minutes for GC’s 30 novices to master the brake-less, fixed wheel bikes. And, after a quick explanation of track manners, we were soon ‘free-riding’ around the 450 metre, open-air banked circuit, enjoying a kind of freedom never experienced on London’s roads. Thanks to a Richard’s expert seeding, a final race was narrowly won by Andy Bestwetherick, with everyone in with a chance right up to the line.

For most of us, the success of the day was as much about being able to ride on the calm of a car-free, purpose built riding surface as it was about the racing. Brilliant weather, the quiet of the venue, and some excellent bread pudding served in the stand, made it a perfect day!

One dark cloud, however, was the news that the Velodrome’s future looks in doubt. The land is owned by Dulwich Estates Governors but run by Southwark Council, who are considering cutting its funding. GC will be working with Southwark Cyclists to try to persuade the Council to lift the threat.

Open sessions for beginners and the experienced are run at the Velodrome every weekend (weather permitting). Phone 020 7737 4647 for details. And, of course, GC’s next trip on 6 January is also open to all.

Festive season in the saddle

Below is our latest rides programme. Our rides are enjoyable, informative, sociable and fun. All (except as shown) are free to anyone without booking. Most events start from Cutty Sark Gardens (CSG) in Greenwich. None of these rides are races – they are paced for all.

On train assisted rides, we leave very soon after the meeting time. Expect help with minor problems like punctures but ensure your bike is roadworthy and bring a pump and a spare inner tube or two.

Saturday 1 December: 10am CSG: Thames path to ferry and over. Exploring Beckton’s Greenway. 20 mile circle

Sunday 2 December: 10am Liverpool Street station: Southend, the pier, the marshes. 40 flat miles.

Wednesday 5 December: monthly meeting. 7.30-9pm, The Forum, 177 Trafalgar Rd, SE10

Saturday 8 December: 9am CSG. 50 miles to Brighton. Train back.

Sunday 9 December: 10am CSG for the famous Locks, docks and one smoking ferry slow docklands explore. 10, 20 or 30 mile option

Sunday 16 December: 10am CSG: Culture ride. Slowly up the Thames Path for look round Southwark Cathedral, coffee at the Tate Modern, then on to the South Bank then the British Museum’s Great Court. And back.

Wednesday 19 December: our Christmas Party. 8pm on, the Admiral Hardy.

Friday 21 December: Winter solstice shortest day Afterworker: meet CSG at 6.30pm for a very short riverside ride east to somewhere warm.

Sunday 23 December: 9am (yes) CSG. Lunch in Rochester. And back. Quickish 40 mile round trip. Or do half and train it either way.

Monday 24 December: 10am CSG: we’ll fit the ride to whoever turns up.

Friday 28 December: 6pm National Film Theatre. Critical Mass (bit political).

Saturday 29 December: 10am London Bridge. Dungeness ride. 50 flat miles in amazing landscapes.

Wednesday 2 January: monthly meeting.

Key dates for 2002

Sunday 6 January: 11am at CSG (or 1pm at the track). Ride to Herne Hill Velodrome, Burbage Road, Dulwich for a day on the track. Costs will be split (£10 approx).

Sunday 21 April: 10am CSG: Mayor's Charity Ride

Friday 21 June: 2am (that's right - 2am!) CSG: for Summer Solstice ride to see dawn from Primrose Hill on the longest day

Saturday 20 July: 7pm CSG: the legendary Dunwich Dynamo. 120 overnight miles to the Suffolk coast. Coach back

Sunday 22 September: Car Free Day

Full rides list at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk

Getting technical!

January bike maintenance classes

We’ll be repeating our highly successful maintenance classes over four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 15 January at Greenwich Forum. The classes start with the very basics… you work on your own bike from fixing punctures upwards and work steadily through it. Very hands on. Maximum 12 people in the class. £30 for the course. Payment in advance, with no refunds unless we can resell your place. Phone/email Barry for reservation details.

Free-for-all on funds!

At our last meeting we discussed how to provide a regular income for GC. Up to now, we’ve largely run on the generosity of a couple of individual supporters (to whom a big ‘thanks’) plus some grant aid, T-shirt sales etc. But we really need funds to pay for running costs, such as meeting room hire.

After some lively debate, we’ve shelved a proposal to charge £1 for each ride in favour of exploring what the alternatives are. Suggestions so far include a 100 club, a simple standing order scheme, and charging for meetings! So, we’d like your ideas. You can bring them along to our next meeting or email them to greenwichcyclists@yahoogroups.com.

International Women’s Week

Thanks to some quick footwork, we will be running a programme of activities for IWW in March. Our grant application to the Council was refused this year, but the plans were rescued by the London Cycling Campaign who have stepped in to plug the gap. Watch this space for details, including:

CONTACT US

We welcome your contributions, suggestions and even your criticisms! We meet on the first Wednesday of every month (next meeting 5th December) at The Forum, 177 Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, SE10 9EQ. Write to us there or try:

Co-ordinator: Barry Mason - phone 020 7232 0444 or masonb@supanet.com

Planning co-ordinator: Greg Englefield -phone 020 8318 2742 or greg_englefield@hotmail.com

Membership secretary: Liz Delap - liz.delap@dial.pipex.com

Newsletter Editor: Nick Williams – phone 020 8853 3947 or bikepest@hotmail.com

P&P Greenwich Cyclists, c/o Greenwich Forum, 177 Trafalgar Rd, SE10

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