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MCC News, Issue 46, June-July 2007
Tour de France 2007
This year Le Tour is starting in London! A party in Trafalgar Square on Friday 6th July, the prologue time trial race around central London streets on Saturday 7th July, and the first stage from London to Canterbury on Sunday 8th.
MCC is teaming up with the London Borough of Merton council, Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness club and Pollards Hill Cyclists to offer a choice of four easy-going gently paced bike rides into central London to watch the Tour de France Prologue on Sat 7th July. These rides will be free of charge, and registered participants will have access to a reserved viewing area at Hyde Park Corner.
We especially encourage non-MCC members to come along! We want to show people who may not usually think of cycling into central London that it can be a pleasant ride, and not as far as you might think! MCC members and experienced urban cyclists will of course be welcome too.
There will be four start points from Merton:
1. 10am from Wimbledon Station Forecourt
2. 10am from Wimbledon Racquets And Fitness Club, Cranbrook Road, Wimbledon
3. 10am from Civic Centre, Morden
4. 9.30am from Pollards Hill Library.
The rides will merge into one ride en route into London to view the TdF prologue.
Then ride back with us and finish the day with a French barbecue at Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness club for just a fiver (optional). Keep check on www.mertoncyclists.org.uk for further details and how to register. All you need to do at this stage: put the date in your diary: Sat 7th July. It will be a great spectacle: certainly the greatest bike race in the world; arguably the toughest athletic challenge ever devised.
LCC TdF website: www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=804
Le Tour official site: www.letour.fr/ OR www.tourdefrancelondon.com/en/
Merton Bike Week 2007
16th - 24th June
HAVE FUN, GET FIT, FEEL FREE!
Merton Bike Week events are especially aimed at the people who have made the decision to try cycling but lack knowledge and confidence or who would appreciate the friendship of being with other cyclists.
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 June MCC cycling information display in Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping, Come and see the MCC cycling information display, collect free local cycle route maps, join the London Cycling Campaign, sign up for our free on-road national standard cycle training, meet MCC members, find out what we do for cyclists in the borough... in Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-3pm Sunday, Contact: Richard Evans 020 8946 0912
Saturday 16 June 10am – 1pm, Bike and Fitness Event, Free cycle safety check, Are you ready for the Tour de France? Whether you are taking part in the race or cycling to London to watch the event, bring yourself and your bike along to our club! Our cycle instructors will give your bike a free safety check and provide you with all the advice you need for safe and happy cycling. After having your bike checked, you can join our gym team for a free fitness assessment. Finally, finish off your visit with a croissant and coffee in the bar. Suitable for Kids if accompanied. At Wimbledon Racquets And Fitness Club, Cranmer Road, Wimbledon. Contact: Fred Ellis 07915 090 571
Sunday 17 June Easy-going local ride with Pollards Hill Cyclists. Starts from Pollards Hill Library at 9.30am or Wimbledon Station forecourt at 10am, led by Neil Guthrie. Contact: Neil Guthrie 07866 874 338
18-24 June MCC cycling information display in Morden Hall Park, at the Snuff Mill, as above
Wed 20 June Richmond Park Sunset Ride: Join us on (almost) the longest day of the year for our summer solstice, gently-paced ride up over Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park to watch the sunset from Richmond Hill, where we will meet up for a drink with other local LCC groups. Bring bike lights and pub money! NB: although mostly off-road, you WILL NOT need a mountain bike for this ride as the paths are very firm. Starts from Wimbledon Station forecourt at 7.30pm. Contact: Richard Evans 020 8946 0912
Friday 22 June, Cyclists BBQ, At 88 Aylward Road, Merton Park 7.30pm, bring your bike, a bottle and something to slam on the barbie. Contact: Richard Evans 020 8946 0912
Sunday 24 June, Events for cyclists at Wandle Valley Festival, www.wandlevalleyfestival.org.uk
Sunday 24 June, Bread Pudding ride with Kingston Cyclists. Starts from Wimbledon Station forecourt at 9:30am, led by Peter Seager. Contact: Peter Seager 07887 648 224
Merton Council Bike Week Plans: www.merton.gov.uk/bikeweek.htm Contact: Paulo Camare 020 8545 3760 or Paulo.camara@merton.gov.uk
Other Bike Week websites
LCC bike week page: www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=817
National Bike Week: www.bikeweek.org.uk
So what is Bike Week for?
“Bike Week is all about getting people back in the saddle to re-discover the health, fun and freedom benefits of cycling,” said Richard Evans of Merton Cycling Campaign.
"68% of all trips in the UK are less than five miles! [2004 National Travel Survey, section 3]. Five miles on a bike in town takes around 30 minutes – if these journeys were done by bike, pollution would plummet, congestion would collapse, and we would have a fitter, healthier, and happier population in Merton. Why stew in a traffic jam when you can arrive at your destination refreshed and on time? Wherever you are travelling in Merton, you'll invariably arrive faster on a two-wheeled congestion buster!" [refer to our commuter challenge results 1997-2005].
He added: "Physical activity contributes directly to health and quality of life but making time for exercise can sometimes be difficult. Cycling to work or to school can be an excellent way of being physically active in a busy schedule, and regular cyclists enjoy fitness levels of people ten years younger."
And best of all you don’t even have to own a bike! Many independent cycle dealers will hire bikes to people who want to try or re-start cycling during Bike Week. Check out the London Cycling Campaign’s bike hire section at www.lcc.org.uk
More than 1,000 events will be held during Bike Week throughout the UK promoting all kinds of cycling. For further information on Merton events, visit www.mertoncyclists.org.uk All UK Bike Week events are listed at www.bikeweek.org.uk - potential participants can search for events being held in their locality, by town/city name or Postcode.
Richard Evans