Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists – No.19 –June 2002
Greenwich Cyclists will be celebrating National Bike Week (Saturday 15 to and Sunday 23 June) in style this year, with 12 action packed rides and activities designed to appeal to cyclists of all abilities.
Quirkiest event in the programme is the Midsummer Madness ride which starts at 2 O’clock on Friday morning (that’s 2am!) from Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich and travels through the deserted streets of London to Primrose Hill, to watch the sun rise on the longest day. For the less (fool)hardy, a three mile jaunt from the Cutty Sark around the Dome, to the Pilot pub on Tuesday 18 June, may be more in order. And, in between there is an incredibly varied programme, with rides around Greenwich borough, Docklands and out to the Lea Valley or to Rochester, plus family rides and picnics.
There’s also a week long cycle buddy scheme, which provides one-to-one support for riders who need to build their confidence and develop their road skills for their cycle journey to work.
With so much to choose from, organisers say there is no excuse not to get on your bike this June. "We’re running more activities than anywhere else in London during Bike Week," says Greenwich Cyclists Co-ordinator, Barry Mason. "And, you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to join in – the emphasis is on fun. All our rides are free and open to all-comers".
For further details phone 020 7232 0444 or see www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk.
Get your free cycling maps
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has backed his commitment to promoting cycling by launching a series of free cycle maps covering greater London. More than a million maps will be distributed. The maps are the result of joint working between the London Cycling Campaign, Transport for London, the London Boroughs and the London Cycle Network. You can get yours, free of charge, by calling 020 7222 1234 or visiting www.lcc.org.uk. Greenwich and Docklands is covered in map number 11, and central London covered on all but is bigger on number 10.
Cycle skills session
A late addition to our Bike Week programme is our Cycle Skills Course on Saturday 15 June. The session, which runs from 10am – 12 noon, is for those that can balance and pedal, but would like to improve. We work on turning, braking, gear changing, signalling and generally just increasing confidence on the bike. It’s very informal and great fun. Meet by the river outside the Woolwich Waterfront Leisure Centre at 10am. Some bikes are available for hire. Phone Kate Horne on 020 8858 1594 to book or borrow a bike.
Air quality strategy unveiled
Greenwich Council's draft Air Quality Strategy is now out for consultation. We’ve not had time to analyse it in detail yet, but a number of interesting facts jump out. It notes, for example, that 63% of Council staff drive to work, 8% walk, and just 1% cycle. And yet 27% live within 3 miles of their workplace! Of the staff that drive to work, 66% do so because they receive some form of car user allowance. Copies of the strategy are available from:
Andrew Whittles
13th Floor, Riverside House
Woolwich High Street
Woolwich, SE18 6DN
or e-mail: andrew.whittles@greenwich.gov.uk
Comments to be received no later than 12th July 2002.
Annual General Meeting
We recorded a third successful year at our AGM in June, and elected new committee member.
Summer of cycling!
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 list at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
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.
Saturday 15 June: Cycle Skills Training (see front page) Meet 10am by the river behind the Waterfront Leisure Centre.
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:
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.