Pedal Power

Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists - Issue No.12 - July 2001

Buzzing bike week!

In one week 228 people covered 6,030 miles in nine events - all part of Greenwich Cyclists' contribution to the UK's Festival of Cycling (16-24 June). There was something for everyone with a gentle saunter round Docklands, the flat route through the Lea Valley, a group commute, together with trips to Whitstable, Dungeness and Romney Marshes. Sixty bikers rode to see the 4.43am summer solstice sunrise from Primrose Hill and greeted by a wonderful sunrise with huge views over sleeping London (insomniacs? - ed). Even the smallest event had just the right number of people to ride the 8 seater octopus bikes through much amused Brixton to help celebrate the really excellent new bike parking outside Herne Hill station. 23 of the 35 starters made it to Whitstable. We didn't loose anyone!

One of many highlights......35 bikes turned up at the front door of new £15m (we can't afford bike racks) deserted Firepower Museum right by the Thames Path. "Where are the bike racks?" we asked. Staff bemused. We left.

We were pleased to be joined by a number of councillors (though sadly, not one official from Greenwich Council's Transport Department turned up for any these events) in what was probably the most varied and inclusive programme of all the London Boroughs. And it didn't cost the Council a penny.

Anti-racist octopus!!
On Saturday 30 June from 10 till 6 we have a stall at Plumstead Common's Anti-Racist Fair - and £500 to spend there thanks to the Trust For London.

We'll be demonstrating 'The Octopus' - a £6000 circular bike that people love -anyone from 3 upwards can use it. One person steers, everyone peddles. It's a real show-stopper.

The anti-racist event is a great day out, so even if you can't help with the Octopus, make sure you come along to join the fun.

River front cycle route success.
Two recent campaigns by Greenwich Cyclists have open previously undiscovered parts of the Thames riverfront to cyclists. Months of lobbying helped to open the section of River Thames Cycle Path at Mast Pond Wharf, just upstream from the Woolwich ferry, and in front of the Woolwich Arsenal. It is now possible to cycle away from traffic along the Thames path - which is part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network - along most of the borough's riverfront.

The missing pieces of the jigsaw are around the Dome and between the Thames Barrier and Woolwich Dockyard. We have been pressurising English Partnerships to stick to their agreement with the Council to open the route around the Dome to the public by the end of June. We are also examining a possible safe route between the Barrier the Woolwich Dockyard. We are also looking at opening other cycle routes through the borough. Contact us if you have a route that you think should be designated an official cycle path.

Bike Maintenance Courses
Get your hands dirty and scare yourself a bit by taking your trusty bike to bits - and get expert help putting the jigsaw together again.

All you need to know about punctures, brake blocks, gear cable -.up to headsets and down to bottom brackets.

4 Wednesday evenings on the trot from 12 September at the Forum@Greenwich, 177 Trafalgar Road. 7pm-10pm plus Saturday ride after. An excellent professional mechanic with people skills will lead this hands-on learning. Only 12 places are available so that we can keep the class manageable. Cost £30 to Greenwich Cyclists, £40 to others. Booking now and payable now. Cheque payable to Greenwich Cyclists. No refund unless we fill the place. 020 7232 0444 or masonb@supanet.com

July in the saddle
We've an action-packed summer - so now there's no reason to leave that bike gathering dust in the shed. Our rides are all free, no booking needed and generally start at the Cutty Sark (CS) in Greenwich unless otherwise stated.

We'll soon be adding some additional family rides too - check our website for up-to-date list.

Sunday 1 July 10am CS: Locks, docks and one smoking ferry: gentle, slow, flat Docklands explore. 10 and 20 mile options. No big roads.
Tuesday 3 July: 7pm CS: Afterworker. Down the river and back before dark.
Wednesday 4 July: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting 7.30pm-9pm. The Forum@Greenwich, 177 Trafalgar Road.
Saturday 7 July CS: Millennium School Bike Event with the octo-bike. Meet 9am CS to ride to Dulwich Park to pick up the eight seater circle.
Saturday 7 July: 7pm CS. The ride that is a legend. 120 miles overnight and into the sunrise to Suffolk's lovely Dunwich. Coach and bike trailer back £15. See website for FAQs. Contact us fast for tickets.
Friday 13 July: 7pm CS: Waterwall Afterworker. To Thames Barrier Park to gaze in through the wire at £14 Greenwich & Docklands Festival event. They might just let us in.
Sunday 15 July: 10am CS: St Swithin's Day Wet One: slow, flat explore down the Thames to the Barnes Wetlands centre. Admission fee. Road to South Bank then Thames path all the way. 30 miles.
Wednesday 18 July: 7pm CS: Afterworker. Virtually all of road on towpaths etc.......gently up the Lea Valley and home before dark.
Saturday 21 July: 9.30am London Bridge station by Smiths. Folkstone train for the UK's flattest ride over Romney Marshes and the weird landscapes of Dungeness. Back from Rye or (finish with a big hill) Hastings. Swim.
Sunday 22 July: 10am CS: to the Thames Water's Cathedral of Sewage open day at Crossness. Easy 12 miles round trip.
Tuesday 24 July: 7pm CS: Afterworker down the Thames gently.
Friday 27 July: 7pm South Bank: Critical Mass. Help create a moving traffic free zone. See what the streets could be like. It's a bit political!
Saturday 28 July: 9am CS: 65 undulating miles to Whitstable. Train it to Rochester and meet us for lunch and the last flatter, greener 30 miles. Some of us will stay the night there...
Sunday 29 July: 10am: Whitstable Harbour for the fantastic 12 resorts ride round the coast to Dover. 50 flattish miles mostly on bike paths and quiet lanes. Loads of drop out points.

Bike shorts
Get your Greenwich Cyclists T-shirts now! Simple design that's a classic already. Black on white or orange on black. Medium, large or extra large. £6 to members, £8 to others, all proceeds to the group. See website for how to order or phone as below.

Keep in touch
Go to www.groups.yahoo.com/group/greenwichcyclists and click on Subscribe.
Our website is now looking good too. Why not add www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk to your favourites?

CONTACT US
We welcome your contributions, suggestions and even your criticisms about either our newsletter or our organisation! We meet on the first Wednesday of every month (next meetings 4 July and 1 August) at The Forum, 177 Trafalgar Road in Greenwich, SE10 9EQ. You can 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 7318 2742 or englefield@home-london.demon.co.uk
Membership secretary: Liz Delap - liz.delap@dial.pipex.com