Newsletter of Greenwich Cyclists - No.20.2 - 7 August 2002
This rare special edition of Pedal Power is specially produced for the Greenwich Foot Tunnel's 100th birthday. There was no celebration at all on Sunday 4 August 1902 when the tunnel opened for that Bank Holiday. We make up for that today. The tunnel was engineer Alexander Binnie's first major contract. Today, the firm he founded, Binnie, Black and Veatch are here celebrating too.
European Car Free Day
Sunday 22 September is European Car-Free Day again. It's the third year running that UK towns and cities have taken part. In hundreds of places all over Europe streets will be closed to traffic and open to people for all sorts of celebration. It's now UK Government policy to support the day.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, is planning to close Tower Bridge for the day as the capital's lead event right next to the new City Hall. Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and lots of other London boroughs are planning key events too to help people think about alternatives to the car.
In 2001, Greenwich Council bravely opened most of the Greenwich town-centre one-way system to people by keeping traffic out of that part of Greenwich Church Street, College Approach and King William Walk. College Approach was filled with armchairs and market stalls. King William Walk was full of games. Cutty Sark Gardens was full of bike events run by 35 volunteers from Greenwich Cyclists. People filled the normally traffic-choked streets. Many newcomers thought Greenwich was normally pedestrianised like this. It was a wonderful, hot, day. But at 7pm the traffic took over again.
So what's happening in Greenwich on Car Free Day 2002? Nothing, yet. The hole in the A2 of Blackheath Hill means that the Council will not consider keeping traffic out of central Greenwich even though serious thought had been given to a traffic free weekend there. That's understandable, but a shame. As this Pedal Power goes to print, we're asking Greenwich Council to create a Car-Free Day both on Blackheath and to come up with other places in the borough where a day without traffic would make a wonderful change and a pointer to a better future.
Easy going rides
Our new easy-going rides are great for beginners, families, or those who enjoy a gentle pace. Routes are off-road and flat wherever possible. They take place the first Saturday of each month - make a note of the following in your diary:
What a (Bike) Week!
Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 June saw a busy period in Greenwich Cyclists calendar. To celebrate National Bike Week, we held 13 rides - more than any other London Borough!
The 13 events were varied - designed to appeal to people of all abilities, from beginners to the real enthusiast! The events covered 219 miles in all! 214 people came on the rides - an amazing 4,009 miles in total! However, no-one received the prize for coming to all 13 events!
The best attended was the legendary Midsummer Madness to see sunrise on the longest day - 60 cyclist met at CSG at 2am, with 30 more joining us at London Bridge, and more still in Soho and Primrose Hill!
Keep in contact!
For ease of communication, we usually keep in touch via e-mail. Join the e-group, by logging on via our website www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
If you don't have access to e-mail or the internet, please contact us with your address and we'll post this to you. Phone Barry Mason on 020 7232 0444 or 07905 889 005, or write to us at:
Greenwich Cyclists
c/o Greenwich Forum
Trafalgar Road
SE 10 6PQ
You can pick up Pedal Power at the following places:
* Greenwich Tourist Office
* Greenwich Forum
* Harry Perry cycle shop in Woolwich
* Halfords Bike Hut shop in Charlton
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. The list is always filling up and is up to date at www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
Thursday 8 August: Afterworker. 6.30pm Southwark Needle, south side London Bridge. East along the Southwark river path
Saturday 10 August: 10am CSG: Locks, docks ride. Always different docks etc tour
Sunday 11 August: 8.30am CSG: Roger's big canal loop. About 65 miles.
Tuesday 13 August: Afterworker. 6pm CSG: Thames-side to Tower Bridge, over and back
Saturday 17 August: Southwark ride round Suffolk. Meet 9.45am Liverpool Street station.
Sunday 18 August: 10am CSG: The Peaks of Greenwich. A slow 20 mile explore and optional visit to Eltham Palace (£6).
Wednesday 21 August: Afterworker. 6pm CSG: East
Friday 23-Tuesday 27 August: Wild Wales Weekend. Based at Bala and Sunday well-supported 85 miles circular ride. Entry fee for that and shorter options too. Train to Ruabon. Come for the whole weekend at £8 a night or dip in for less.
See website/phone for very full details and FAQs
Wednesday 4 September: monthly meeting. As 4 August
Saturday 21 September: we take over Herne Hill velodrome for the afternoon. All provided: training, track bike, helmet. Try the track in good company. £10. Meet CSG at 11am for slow ride there. Or there at 1pm. Burbage Road, Dulwich.
Sunday 22 September: Car Free Day. Website or phone for details. Firming fast.
Saturday 14 December: 8pm till late. Greenwich Cyclists ceilidh. Watch this space. Adult tickets: £12. Accompanied children under 16: £4. Bookable now, and limited.
Saturday 14 June 2003: start of National Bike Week. Major bike events on Greenwich Peninsula
Saturday 21 June 2003: Midsummer Madness Ride
Saturday 12 July 2003: the legendary Dunwich Dynamo. Number 11. Hackney to Suffolk overnight. Coach back tickets selling now. You'll remember it forever.
We organise lots of training, classes and events. Help? Advice? Just ask.
Contact: phone 020 7232 0444 or masonb@supanet.com, or check out www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
Next meeting: 7:30pm, Wednesday 7th August, The Forum, 177 Trafalgar Road, SE10. All welcome!
Contact: phone 020 7232 0444 or masonb@supanet.com, or check out www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk
Next meeting: 7:30pm, Wednesday 7th August, The Forum, 177 Trafalgar Road, SE10. All welcome!