Edmonton Cycle Club

With Enfield Cycling Campaign Winter 2016 Newsletter No. 70

Welcome to our winter issue, ready for some hopefully sunny winter days! Our December 15 th Bike Maintenance Workshop is a social only occasion – please bring some snacks / nuts / chocolates or cakes to share. There’ll also be a music themed quiz. The BMW’s will be back to practical mechanics in January – please advise in advance if you need certain things adjusted – great value for a minimum donation to the toolbox of £3! New ride leaders, and suggestions for destinations and routes are welcome – just come along to the monthly meetings and share your ideas! Don’t forget that coming up next year we have: • The Annual Lunch for 2017 on Sunday 30 th April – details TBA • Norfolk Trip to Apple Blossom Farm in Norfolk, 7 th to 10 th July (option of rooms or camping). Places limited, so book soon! • A Bike Events Holland Trip from 24 th July to 1 st August Wishing you safe cycling and Season’s Greetings for Christmas and the New Year! The Editors.

Winter Birthday Riders: Decembre : 19 Tracey, 28 Gerry, 29 Angela S, 31 Sibel. Janvier : 5 John W, 12 Les, 31 Kieron Fevrier : 4 Gary, 9 Stuart, 10 Donna, Alan M, 14 Dave M. New Club Members Welcome to new riders: Chris R, Fiona, Faye, Liz and Martin. Advice and Request to Riders – Be Prepared! Please, please have your bike in good order before you come to start a ride! Make use of the BMW’s or your local bike shop, and ensure your tyres, brakes, gears etc. are all checked. Bring spare inner tubes to suit, and basic tools. Don’t forget you own kit too - prepare for the weather with clothes to suit the season, plus phone, money, water etc.! Be ready to enjoy the ride! Thanks! Please Note: If you wish to receive this newsletter by post, please send SAEs to: Paul at 2 Mayfair Gardens, Tottenham N17 7LP

Diary of coming Rides and Events

Club Meetings / Socials: B.M.W. Sessions / Socials: First Thursday of month at 8pm Third Thursday of month at 7.30pm prompt

Both meetings held at: Sports Club pavilion, The Paulin Ground, Fords Grove, Winchmore Hill N21 3ER. (Entry via Firs Lane)

2017 – 5 Jan, 2 Feb, 2 March, 6 April, 2017 – 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 16 March, 20 4 May April, 18 May

Note – all are subject to late changes or cancellations, and our Code of Conduct If bad weather causes late cancellation, a ride may be rescheduled for the following Saturday or Sunday. Check emails / website. NCR = Not Club Ride.

Thursday 15 7.30pm till late- Bike Maintenance Workshop No. 172 December An end of season social do! There’ll be a music themed quiz as well. Please bring snacks / cakes / chocolates to share! Monday 26 11am Edmonton Leisure Centre, N9. December The Boxing Day ride to a Cheshunt area café. Leader Paul. Thursday 5 8pm WHSC Pavilion Monthly Meeting / Social January 2017 Sunday 8 Possible ride January Sunday 15 Possible ride January Thursday 19 7.30pm – 9.30 Bike Maintenance Workshop No. 173 January Informal but informative, with social afterwards! Sunday 22 Possible ride January Sunday 29 10am Edmonton Leisure Centre. Ride to Riverside Café, January Waltham Cross. Leader Paul. Sunday 5 Possible ride February Sunday 12 Possible ride February

Page 2 Ride Reports by “Our riders on the saddle”…

Weekend Trip to Horningtoft (Apple Blossom Farm), Norfolk, June 2016 Sunday 26 th June A later morning start after the night before, and some breakfast bacon butties from our hosts. Joint leaders Ben and Janine had planned a route to Holt, which we followed (with two puncture stops en route) through Guist, Briston and Hunworth to Holt, which we reached about 1pm. Here we dispersed to various hostelries such as the Feathers, Kings Head, with many of us somehow meeting up at Budgens to buy supplies for the evening. Lots of interesting small antique and craft shops there, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) as it was Sunday many of these were closed. We left about 3pm for the ride back, where we were caught in a heavy shower about half way before reaching Fakenham where we stopped at The Limes pub for refreshments. Here we were joined by some non-riders, then back through Colkirk to Apple Blossom Farm. Later we enjoyed beer and other drinks, plus Pat's lovely cakes, and some party games - 'Kerplonk' and old quiz questions from Cathy while others watched Glastonbury on TV. Monday 27 th June A grey start before the sun came out later on. After tidying up we checked bikes and packed our luggage before a final photo call just after 10am. Setting off at 10:20, on the road to Reepham, we stopped for lunch at 'V's café. Pat and Cathy joined us by car. Then off down the B1149, past road works and avoiding the worst of the Marriotts Way, south into Drayton - puncture number three, but as it was a slow one and we were sufficiently close to Norwich we just pumped the tyre up and continued. Paul led us through the winding city streets, and over the river to the pub near the station by about 3:30pm. More food and drink here, and then we made our way to the station in two groups to catch two separate trains. Group 1 at 5pm and Group 2 at 5:30pm. The journey back to London was far less eventful that the journey out! Our thanks to hosts Sarah and Phil, plus Dave the cockerel who ensured no-one overslept. Also to organisers, Maz, Pat, to Les for mechanical support, to Pat again for transporting much of the luggage, to ride leaders and backstops and to everyone who made it such an enjoyable weekend. Group 1: Paul, Jeff, Trevor, Peter, Stephen, Rosa, Janine. Group 2: Maz, Les, Jayne, Jane, Eleanor, Ben. Independently: Pat, Cathy, Dave, Susan, Bridget, Colin, Phil. Over the four days a total cycling distance of 140 miles. Sunday 3rd July: 20th Anniversary Ride Round the Borough A brighter summery start from Edmonton Leisure Centre past the original site which is now an ASDA shop. East on new path by Salmons Brook towards Pickets Lock and north on the cycle track to . Here we turned westwards on the path over Mollinsons Ave to Albany Park past Enfield Cemetery to by Turkey Brook to lunch at Whitewebb Cafe. After lunch we rode south west to Enfield Town Park via Carrs Lane and Grange Park to onto Broomfield Park , Hazelwood Rec , the new Firs Farm Wetlands. We then headed to Bury Lodge Park Fete,

Page 3 with ice cream, stalls, choir, dog show et al, at 2.30 pm. Sunday 10th July: Meeting at 10.15 at Liverpool Street station as drizzle fell, Eleanor led us south west over Southwark Bridge, round the South Bank and into for tea stop. Then Peter led towards Putney, Barnes, Roehampton Gate to the Richmond Park café for lunch stop as the sun came out. Post lunch ride was clockwise around the park, spotting lots of road club cyclists and several deer. Comfort stop at Pembroke house cafe as we completed park lap return route by Putney Rowing Club, Battersea Park, Embankment, Westminster Abbey (where we were severely told off by a beadle for cycling in the Abbey grounds, despite the presence of many cars!), Parliament Square, and CS3 back to Liverpool Street for 4.50 train. Distance 32 miles Saturday 16th July: Firs Farm Wetlands and Dr Bike Club members gave their time and effort to do a day of Dr Bike safety checks. As previously, members helped out from start to finish. A long day 10 - 6pm in very hot sunshine. Our hats off to chief mechanic Dr Les for his hard work and dedication. Many thanks to him and members there. A special thanks to Paul who was there all day and for Chris A for coming at the end to help pack away and make things easier back to base. Sunday 17th July: Lee Valley Ride to Docklands; Ride, Fly, Ride, Sail, Ride. From Stonebridge Lock at 10.10 Southbound escorting the public, first stop 'Three Mills' for tea. Then Limehouse Cut, CS3 to Leamouth opposite The O2 and east to the cable car for 'flight' to southbank, 10 mins. East along the cycle track to Thames Barrier Café for lunch and puncture repair. After lunch we took the Woolwich Ferry 'John Burns'. Slight drizzle faded as we set off again 1.30 past the airport to Beckton and The Greenway, on to the Olympic Park for a tea stop at the Velo Park. Finally return to base via to Stonebridge Lock circa 5.30. Sunday 24 July: Broxbourne and Hilly Fields Salsa We rode from Enfield Town Park northwards past Forty Hall, Bury Green, Cheshunt, east over the railway flyover and up towpath to lunch at Broxbourne Green Café 1pm. All in warm sunshine! Our return stage southwards, then over railway at Cheshunt station, A10 cycle track, Turkey Street, Forty Hall grounds to Hilly Fields at 3.05. Most stayed on for the Cuban Salsa Music and some of us even joined the dance class by the bandstand! Saturday 30th July: Prudential Ride London Enfield LCC organised a feeder ride in from Edmonton with club support. About 30 public turned up, and we rode down the well-travelled route along the towpath, through the Olympic Park and into the City along CS3 to Blackfriars. Here people joined the traffic free circuit of London, taking in the Embankment, Buckingham Palace, Waterloo Bridge, Lincolns Inn and the Bank, with various random entertainments along the route. Those who wished to ride back with us met at 2:45 for a return ride that was the reverse of the outward route. Total distance (including one lap if the London circuit) 38 miles. Leader Trevor, Michèle, Jeff, John R, Jill, Peter.

Page 4 Sunday 7th August: The Chiltern Hills A sparsely attended ride, possibly because of the distance to the start and many regular members were recovering from a trip to Holland the previous week. We met at Chesham station and set off on an undulating road to Wendover for lunch. After lunch there was a late change of plan, as we had learned that the Lee church was not serving afternoon teas this year. Instead we climbed Coombe Hill for the view and then went to Ellesborough Church, where they were serving tea but hadn't thought to put out any tables or chairs!. Afterwards we made our way back through the Lee to Chesham. About 28 miles, but with several steep hills it felt longer! Leader Peter, Ben, Pat. Friday 19th August: 20th celebration of ECC and 60th birthday party for Paul Around 50 members enjoyed a wonderful evening of celebrations for 20 years of club rides plus Paul's big 6-0. Several original members came along to join with current members. We were entertained by the 2FBS rock group late into the night, many thanks guys. A wonderful spread of food was prepared for guests by Maz and Chris, decorations put up by Pat, Bridget, Peter, Les, Paul and Chris. There was an interval with thanks expressed to all members, followed by a dance display with the audience joining in. More freestyle dancing to the band till 11:30, with birthday cake and a toast to Winchmore Hill Sports Club and members past and present. Many thanks to all who came and the organisers made it a happy occasion. Sunday 21st August: President's Ride: Firs Farm Wetlands and Hilly Fields A new start venue at Broomfield Park Community café Palmers Green. We made a leisurely ride from 11:45 after tea/coffee, riding east to Firs Farm Wetlands to plant a plaque in memory of Alan Thorndyke by a tree. We then rode east to Riverside cafée near Waltham Abbey to lunch then to Hilly Fields at 3pm for a picnic to 5:30 with music by, yes, 2FBS again in glorious sunny weather. Leader Paul, Eleanor, Bridget, Jeff, Peter, Maz, Michèle, Les plus at the concert Wayne and Elaine. Sunday 28th August: Letty Green Meeting at Whitewebbs golf club café, Clay Hill Enfield at 10:00 we set off after coffee northwoods along Whitewebbs Lane, Bury Green West Cheshunt, Wormley West End, Brickendon followed by a long descent to Cole Green Way. We rode along the trackbed for about three miles to lunch at the Cowper Arms pub in Letty Green. Thanks to leader Michèle for chocolates! Return ride at about 2:00 p.m. through Essendon, Kentish Lane, Old Owen's Sports Club to , arriving back about 4:00 pm. Leader Michèle. Paul J, John R, Chandra, Jane P, Trevor, Jeff, Peter M, Pauline, Andrew, Eleanor, Dave, Katie, Susan, Paul, Hyacinth, Brian. Sunday 4th September: High Beach Tea and Cake The ride set off at 12:20 from Edmonton Leisure Centre eastwards towards Chingford and Woodford then North on Epping New Road. A lunch stop at the bikers new café building near High Beach (very nice food) then after 2:00 pm the short ride up to the church for tea and cakes. A longer ride back by Upshire fast road, Waltham Abbey and the towpath to and Enfield area. Leader Maz, Les, Eleanor, Bridget, John C, Martin, Paul, Jeff. Page 5 Sunday 11th September: Land of the Giants (LVRP) A leisurely ride from Old Mill Meadows, Broxbourne took us south through the woods between the river and the railway. Along the way we met Jane P who was out with her Ramblers group. Chris showed us a sunken barge and explained the various wood sculptures in detail, while some of us sat on the high chair again. Our return took in the White Water Centre for lunch as we rode back to Old Mill Meadows to finish. Leader Chris, Eleanor, Paul J, Jeff, Paul, Chandra plus public. Sunday 18th September: Into Deepest Essex Well, at the last minute (the Friday before actually) John had to reccy a new route as he found out there were no trains from Chelmsford on the 18th! He shortened the ride to the Tea Rooms at Blackmore. The group met him at Café Solo at Woodford and rode via Chigwell, Lambourne End, Kelvedon Hatch to Blackmore whereby we had a very nice lunch in the tea rooms, which were obviously popular with cyclists across Essex. We left at about 2 pm and headed for Norton Heath and eventually picked up the original return route John had planned from Writtle, but on the way we had a mechanical problem where someone's pedal axle completely snapped in half. The rider limped to Willingale and waited for his Dad to pick him up (good ol' Dad). The rest of the group carried on via Fyfield, Morton, North Weald and Epping where we finally split for our various routes home at the Upshire turnoff on the Epping Road. Leader John R, Paul, Jane, Eleanor, Susan, Dave, John C, Jeff, Trevor, Bridget, Martin, Chandra, Peter, Ben Sunday 25th September: Something Spiritual A morning tea start at Oakwood Park café led us through , past Station and onto a new stretch of National Cycle Network 12. From there we rode around Trotters Bottom and back into Barnet Wood Street where we stopped at Courthouse Café and Park for lunch. Our afternoon mystery visit followed a ride to Potters Bar and down Coopers Lane, where we stopped at the Oshwal Centre, a Jain temple and community centre. Some of us went into the temple to admire the marble carvings and peaceful atmosphere. The kind hosts invited us to some food in the main meeting rooms where we were made most welcome, thanks to them. Afterwards we split into 2 groups for home via Enfield or Barnet. Leader Maz, Les, Chandra, Chris, Peter, Paul, John R, Sian, Michael, Jeff. Sunday 9th October: Cycle the Marshes, Rivers & Lakes of Lee Valley The last joint ride of 2016, as we set off in glorious sunny skies from Pindar car park northwards along the shaded paths to Dobbs Weir and on to Rye House Gatehouse. Then northwest to Stanstead Abbots for pub or café lunch. At the café we met with erstwhile members Richard, Nick and Dave. We were joined for part of the return leg by Mark, as we rode past the lakes and wildlife, over Roydon railway line to the river Stort, then up Clayton Hill, Fishers Green and back to Cheshunt about 2:30pm. All enjoyed a sunny tour of the ! Thanks to Leader Chris for the route and guided talkover, plus Peter, Paul, Jeff, Maz, Wayne, Les, John R and public riders.

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Thursday 16 7.30pm – 9.30pm- Bike Maintenance Workshop No. 174 February Informal but informative, with social afterwards! Sunday 19 10am – Edmonton Leisure Centre February A short ride to Lee Valley Riding Centre Café. Leader Paul. Sunday 26 Possible Ride February Leader TBC Thursday 2 8pm WHSC Pavilion Monthly Meeting / Social March Sunday 5 March Possible Ride Leader TBC Sunday 12 March Possible Ride Leader TBC Thursday 16 7.30pm – 9.30pm- Bike Maintenance Workshop No. 175 March Informal but informative, with social afterwards! Sunday 19 March Possible Ride Leader TBC Sunday 26 March 10.30am Fisher Green car park, Stubbins Hill Lane, Jointly with Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF LVRP Cycle the Olympic Way. Leader Chris. NOTE – this may take place Saturday 25 March

Sunday 30 April 12.00 - Annual Lunch Day! At the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross. Optional “feeder” ride.

Other joint rides 21 May with LVRP are: 25 June 20 August Details TBC.

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Cycle Related Information You May Find Useful

1. Services: Halfords, Unit 3, Great Cambridge Road, Enfield (020 8366 0787) Top Riders, www.topriderscycles.co.uk or 020 8363 8618 – Now online only. Mac's, 77 Ordnance Road, Enfield (020 8292 5799) Bike Boutique 57 Station Road, Winchmore Hill N21. (020 8364 2580) www.bikeboutique.net Second hand bikes, Hire, Day Parking, Accessories, Café. The Cycle Store, 201 Woodhouse Rd, Friern Barnet N12 (020 7249 2200) Shorter Rochford Cycles 65-67 Woodhouse Rd, N.Finchley N12 9ET (020 8445 9182) Shorter Rochford Cycles 27 Barnet Rd, Potters Bar, Herts. (01707 662 332) 2. Potholes! 8379 2152/4 or Freepost green report card (at libraries) or write to L.B. Enfield, Highway Maintenance, 7 Melling Drive, Enfield, EN1 4BS www.fillthathole.org.uk 3. Celebs in the saddle no.50. Dr Chris Van Tulleken, TV Doc; Sir Gary Verrity – Director of Tour de Yorkshire; The Countess of Wessex; Helen Skelton. 4. 2016 Club Merit Points Table “on the last lap” as of 20 Nov.: 1020 Paul, 985 Peter M, 800 Jeff, 750 Eleanor, 645 Les, 620 Maz, 610 Jane , 600 Bridget, 560 John R, 460 Michèle, 445 Pat, 345 Susan, 340 Paul J, 335 Dave L M, 315 Chris, 285 Ben, 285 Stephen, 270 Evelyn, 265 Trevor, 215 Chandra, 200 John C, 185 Rosa, 180 Jayne, plus others. 4a. Merit Points – changes for 2017. Proposals are for – 35 First Time Leader; 25 Ride Leader / Back stop; 20 Ride; 15 At event by car / train / bike; 15 More than half a ride; 10 Less than half a ride; 10 Meeting or Event/ BMW / BikeAid or FirstAid 5. TFL Cycle maps (2015 New Edition) Free at libraries or from TFL. Enfield area is covered on map no. 2. Contact the following: www.tfl.gov.uk or 0843 222 1234 to order. 6. London Cycling Campaign. Membership Fees: Individual- 16+, employed is £49 pa. Concessionary - Full-time student <16 or 65+, or unemployed is £25. Household –two adults & <16s is £75. Member benefits include – shop discounts, free third party insurance, rides, exclusive theft insurance, free legal helpline, free quarterly magazine. 7. If you wish to resign, or not to receive the printed newsletter, please tell Paul by phone, letter, or in person, thanks. 8. Check out www.bike-events.com , email [email protected] or PO Box 3225 Bristol BS1 9JX or 01179 897080 for weekend charity rides and week-long Euro holidays. 9. Diary for September 2019 – World Road Cycling Championships are in Yorkshire!

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Your editorial team is: Paul L, Chris L, Maz B. Copyright © Edmonton Cycle Club 2016

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