Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists - No.18 -April 2002
Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists - No.18 -April 2002
Well, that's not quite right. It's the third Mayor's ride. Mayor's change every year so it's Terry Malone's first (and last) but it is the third in what's now seems to be a Greenwich tradition. Enjoy the day.
The first Greenwich Mayor's ride happened on Sunday 23 April 2000. Greenwich Cyclists suggested the idea to then Mayor John Fahy, and so it was. Greenwich Cyclists had just launched ourselves in April so it was our first big event.
We're a local voluntary group that we run in our spare time. Everyone is very welcome to join our many and varied rides and events, and to help us out if they wish. This is our 18th monthly newsletter and is a Mayor's Ride special about what we do.
Rides
We do very local rides for absolute beginners, gentle tours of the riverside and Docklands for everyone, and some longer rides for those who want to go further. None of our rides are races and all are designed to be fun, sociable, informative and informal. They are paced for everyone and we'll of course help with any problems your bike throws up, within reason. Details of our next few rides overleaf.
Events
In May we go to Canterbury to help celebrate the Crab & Winkle Canterbury-Whitstable bike path that is on the route of the world's first passenger railway. June is National Bike Week... we're organising 11 events, the summer solstice dawn ride is a must. July is the legendary Dunwich Dynamo, 120 miles overnight to the Suffolk coast, loads of ordinary cyclists do it - and the Anti-Racist Fair on Plumstead Common. August we celebrate the Foot Tunnel's 100th birthday, then go to Bala in north Wales for the long Bank Holiday weekend. September is Car Free Day in central Greenwich. And there's much more in between. Full list on thism website.
Campaigning
You can now ride alongside just about the whole of the Thames through Greenwich without going on a road. Completion of that jigsaw of bits is not far off and is a huge achievement. But we're pushing for it to be finished and improved. Most Greenwich roads scare off too many potential cyclists, and odd bits of white-line bike lanes simply aren't good enough. We're working to get improvements made throughout the borough, and beyond. We keep an eye on local planning applications too.
Training
We arrange professional training for total beginners, and for example taught 12 women how to ride during an International Women's Festival event in March. Many of them are now joining our Easy Going beginners events. We also do bike maintenance classes for beginners and more advanced mechanics. We've excellent contacts with professional trainers and people who can help you try the ride to work or wherever. Just ask us.
The Thames Path
Sustrans is a national charity building 10,000 miles of safe, recreational bike routes. They've now done 6,000 of them. Earlier this year Greenwich Cyclists become the first group Ranger for our local bit of the National Cycle network: from the Lewisham border right down to the Dartford crossing. Much of that is National Cycle Route One: Dover to Inverness. We keep an eye on our bit, suggest improvements, report faults, handle enquiries and clean up sometimes.
Meetings
Our monthly meetings sort out who does what, plan future events, allow idea to emerge, create rides, worry about money and generally provide an open forum for anyone interested. They last a strict 90 minutes, then we socialise in the pub opposite. www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk Is our really useful website. There is an always up to date list of all our rides and events as well as sections that describe many of our previous rides, reports about events, campaign notes, some photos and of course links to other sites. Our e-mail list has 130 people on it and provides instant updates.
The London Cycling Campaign
We are linked to, but independent of, the LCC. With 8,000 members it's the biggest urban bike group in the world. We encourage all to join them, but it 's not compulsory and we never ask. www.lcc.org.uk or 020 7928 7220. The £23.50 annual membership is worth it for the magazine and shop discounts alone.
Generally
We're an evolving group with more to do than we can. If you can help in any way, please do. And if you've ideas, questions and problems, do ask.
Spring 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. Full rides list at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
Sunday 28 April: Locks, Docks and one smoking ferry. Meet 10am CSG. A gentle explore round Docklands. 5, 10 and 30 miles options.
Wednesday 1 May: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting, 7.30pm, The Forum@Greenwich, 177 Trafalgar Road, London SE10
Sunday 5 May: The Crab and Winkle Ride. To celebrate the birthday of the UK's first passenger railway. Details firming.
Saturday 11 May: Woolwich Waterfront Leisure Centre: · 10am - noon: learn to ride class. Some bikes provided. £5/£2. · 1-3pm: Cycle Skills for those who have just started. £5/£2.
Sunday 12 May: The Beckton Greenway explore. 20 miles. Meet 10am CSG.
Sunday 12 May: Woolwich to Greenwich and back. Easy-going ride along the river path for beginners, families etc. Meet 10am by the river at the Waterfront Leisure Centre. Shop and have tea in Greenwich Market and cycle back.
Sunday 19 May: Down the Thames to explore the Dartford marshes. 20 flat miles. 10am CSG. Saturday 25 May: Herne Hill Velodrome. Borrow a special track bike, get professionally trained and try a whole new bike experience. £10 to cover costs. Meet 11am CSG for a slow ride there, or 1pm at Burbage Road, Dulwich.
Friday 31 May: 6pm National Film Theatre, South Bank. central London Critical Mass(bit political).
Saturday 1 June: The Sculpture Ride. Easy-Going Ride for beginners, families etc. 10am CSG. To see 30 or so bits of new art round Canary Wharf.
National Bike Week.
Saturday 15 June - Sunday 23 June 2002. All week long: not sure about riding to work? Buddy Up. We'll try and find someone to ride with you.
Saturday 15 June: 10am CSG: Locks, docks and one smoking ferry. An all-day gentle explore of London's fast evolving Docklands with 5,10, 20 and 30 mile options. The first 5 miles are all along the Thames Path and very child friendly.
Sunday 16 June: 10am CSG: The Peaks of Greenwich. 20 undulating miles to visit all six of Greenwich's protected views.
Monday 17 June: 6pm CSG: The Southwark mob: to Dulwich Park for a picnic and try London Recumbents wonderful selection of bikes and the octopus. Bring your own picnic.
Tuesday 18 June: 7pm CSG: Remember the Dome: recreate that amazing evening when we first rode round the outside of the Dome. To The Pilot pub. A massive 3 miles.
Wednesday 19 June: 7.30am sharp CSG: The Late to Worker: a gentle ride along the Thames Path up to London, breakfast with Southwark at the Island Cafe, and work.
Wednesday 19 June: 6pm CSG. Love Lea Valley. Under the foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs and gently up the Lea Valley and home before dusk.
Thursday 20 June: 7pm CSG: East Again and back into the sunset before dark. Down the Thames Path as far as we get. Now for sunrise.
Friday 21 June: 2am CSG. Yes. 2am: The Midsummer Madness Ride: today's the longest day of the year. The magical summer solstice. Ride with us through the deserted streets of London to see the sun come up from Primrose Hill. Meet bikes from all over London, join in anywhere along the way: · 2.30am: south end of London Bridge · 3am: Bar Italia, Froth Street. Coffee. · 4.15am: top of Primrose Hill · 4.43am: sunrise! · 6am: breakfast at the Island Cafe, Union Street/Southwark Bridge Road junction · 8am: work, home or ride or whatever
Saturday 22 June: 10am CSG: The Culture Ride: an all-day roam dipping into free museums, galleries and lesser known London oddities.
Sunday 23 June: 10am: The Rochester Lunch: A quickish 30 miles to lunch and back with some big roads at the start. Back in time for...
Sunday 23 June: 6pm: Farewell to Bike Week: meet other south London bikers up the summit of Greenwich Park. Bring food and drink.
Friday 28 June: 6pm National Film Theatre, South Bank. Central London Critical Mass (bit political).
Saturday 6 July: Easy going ride to the Anti-Racist Fair on Plumstead Common.