Ride Reports 2003 - by Paul Lafosse

12.1.2003 - Start the Year ride
Six of the least hung-over turned up to brave temperatures of minus 4 degrees!  Chris led the way to Springfield Cafe, and then along the frozen towpath to Victoria Park, where some interesting black-ice dancing was done by Alan.  On to Islington and back by LCN routes - about 36 miles in all. 

26.1.2003 - Eastward Ho!
Our quartet headed east to Enfield Island Village, along to High Beech, and then to Dobbs Weir by a new path.       Ian S, Mike, Graham & Clifford.

9th February - Edmonton to Broxbourne
In light rain along the towpath using the scenic east route. Caught up with Marion on the way back. No AM tea break!    Ian, Alan, Graham, Marian, Gavin & Andy

23rd February - Fishers Green and Lakes

Dry and mild weather saw our quartet head off to Fishers Green. We were forced by path repairs to divert around winding paths. Lunch at the Gent, ducking exploding lampshades!     Paul, Jim, Alan, Graham.

16th March - Victoria Park in Spring

Glorious spring sunshine as we rode south on the Lee Towpath. Tea at Clapton, diverting easterly, under the rail line. Back to the Lee, west to Victoria Park. Lunch at the cafe and a ride around the park boundary. Back north for a drink at the Anchor & Hope. Still sunny!   Paul L, Trevor, Ian, Alan, Marian, Marion, Gary, John, Jim, Paul B, Hyacinth, Bill, Ross, Gunsel & Graham.

30th March - Broxbourne Spring Potter with BST

More nice sunny weather on our ride up the towpath. Tea at Waltham Abbey, then around the lakes to Broxbourne for a lunch stop. More recruiting by JM. Late arrival by 007!. Puncture for CW. Then on to the Fish & Eels, helping a stranded biker on the way home.   Ian, Paul L, Alan, Paul B, Marion C, Chris, Trevor and Gary.

13th April - Hayes Hill Farm

A bright warm start at ELC. Chris with Pol m/c. Lunch taken Al Fresco at HHF, tea at Riverside. Ian, Stuart (back on the bike!), Chris, Justine, Alan, Mark, Michael and Graham.

27th April - Wormley West End

Bright breezy weather from Enfield, north past Forty Hall, Capel Manor and Temple Bar. On to Goff's Oak, past Cheshunt Park, up Holy Cross Hill to the Woodman at noon. Back via Wormley to the Lee for tea at the riverside.    Paul, Ian, Alan, Gunsel, Stuart, Jim and Graham.

4th May - Blue Peter Bikeathon for Leukaemia Research

The dynamic duo, Paul and Alan, helped Barnet Cyclists marshal the kids around Trent Park. Well done!

11th May - Rangers and School of Cycling

25th May - Eastway and Ilford ride. 

BIKE WEEK 2003

Sat 14th June - History Ride

Blazing warm weather saw us off from All Saints church, onwards to Winchmore Hill, Grovelands, Gentlemans Row, Enfield, finishing off at ye olde FortyHall for lunch.  Thanks to Graham Dalling and Elaine for info, handouts and speeches!  Paul, Alaine, Wayne, Peter, Ian, Alan, John, Gunsel, Utku, Anna, Sangeeta, David, Ray, Mark, Graham F, Michael, Chris, trevor, George, Graham D.

Sun 15th June - Bike Basics

Enfield School of Cycling, Bikes R Us, Enfield Cycling Campaign and Edmonton Cycle Club met the public to promote active, healthy cycling.   Dr Paul, Dr Wayne, Elaine, Paul L, Alan, Ian , Stuart, Justine, Trevor, Richard, Sujal, Jasmin, Anya, Helen, Roger, Catherine, Alan H, Graham, Pat, Chris, Joan.

Tues 17th June - Evening I-Spy Ride

Around North Enfield, taking in Richard's quiz which taxed our brains!  Winners helmets to Sterling & Liz.  Chocolates to everybody else!  Richard, Ian, Dave S, Jane, Phil, Wayne, Peter, Andrew, Graham, Paul L, Trevor, Sally, Justine, Fred, Paul B, Hyacinth, Dave, Margaret, Sterling, Liz.

Thurs 19th June - The Original Ice Cream Ride

From Ally Pally, along Parkland Walk after first chain repair, the second chain change and then a tyre blowout!  To Marine ices at about ten-ish.  Yum Yum ices and pizza!  Back around 1am after getting lost!   Wayne, Ian, Richard, Alan, Paul, Rob, Michael, George, Alex, Graham, Stuart, Sterling, Dave, Dave L, Anna, Martin, Martine, Barbara, Michael, John & others.

Sat 21st June - Midsummer MTB Madness!

Dr Dave's skills checked our Epping-bound riders.   Chris, James, Faruk, Mahat, Alex, Clifford, Michael & 3 others.

Sunday 22nd June  - Pedalling Picnic to the Lee Valley

From Southbury Leisure Centre over to the Lee towpath.  A tea stop in sunny weather.  Off to Fishers Green to meet Herts Sustrans, Chris and friends.  Lunch at the farm - al fresco.   Richard, Trevor, Ian, Paul, Alan, Jim, Rob, Marian, Stuart, Graham, Marion, Jeff, Pat, George, Marion, Peter, Michael, Aldo, Kim & kids.

Sunday 13th July - North Hertfordshire Lanes

Sunday 27th July - London to Cambridge for Breakthrough Breast Cancer

 From Lee Valley Pk, Waltham Abbey, under cloud at 9.10 North past Nazeing to tea at Widford, plus musical loos! Past Albury to lunch at The Bull, Langley! A short stop at Ickleton, then on to Cambridge.  Now a warm dayY!! Got there at 3.15.  We asked about coaches, Yes, spare places, so bought tickets back to Waltham Abbey.  A 50 mile ride, plus a couple more for each person. 18 rode. Well done all!!!! Paul, Francis, Alan, Jeff, Marion, Sangeeta, Ian, Gunsel, Utku, Mark, Chris, Stuart, Guy, Alex, Dave, Denise, Sally, Mark.

Sunday 3rd August - Ride to Therfield Heath Kite Festival

 Richard, Ian S, Stuart, Chris, Mike L, Jim, Alan, Dave, Denise, Graham.

Sunday 17th August - South down the Lee

Tea at Springfield Marina, on to Victoria Park, new building at tea dome. On to Grand Union canal path to Islington.  3 to bistro, 5 to Pembroke pub by railway. Back via Finsbury Pk. Sunny all day!    Paul L, Ian, Stuart, Alan, Jim, Graham, George, Mike, Chris. (Anna failed to start-saddle loose!)

Sunday 6th September -  Marine Ices. 

From Enfield in glorious sunny weather, we rode to Finsbury Pk along the old railway, then tea at Finsbury Park Cafe. On road to Camden [with a bit of  a-z help!] and Mansi's Marine Ices.  A "volcano" devoured by 007, (plus lunch!) Back via Finsbury Park, home by 5 or 6 pm. Lets do this again in the spring! Richard, Ian, Paul, Alan, Graham, Chris, Jim.

Sunday 28th September -  Royal Gunpowder Mills. 

A short ride up to Waltham Abbey to Royal Gunpowder Mills at 11.15.  Special parking for us!   Then a look around the historic exhibits, audio and visual displays - very impressive.  Then lunch followed by a land train tour of the site, compered by Gerald Miller.  Well worth the visit - we will have to come again next year to see more!   Many thanks to Elaine and staff for helping us on the day.  Cheers!   Paul, Ian, Graham, Alan, Jim, George, Laurent, Marion, Lyn, Stuart, Gunsel, Dave L.

Sunday 5th October -  40 miler via Greenwich 

Sunday 12th October - Annual Victoria Park ride (with added Eastenders)

Sunday 26th October -  Epping Forest

(By guest reporter Grabo)

A round dozen mustered around the sunny part of the ECC. Ian led to High Beech, and all 'took 5' at the top. We then did another 'Col' to the Owl and had lunch, being electronically paged when it was ready. Lovely coffee!! Some had lunch 'alfresco' but some, including me, did the warmer 'in-situ'. We then did the downhill without oxygen and the sign at the top confirmed that it was a 1 in 8 hill which we'd done both ways!
We then took the Towpath route nearly to Broxbourne at quite a brisk pace- (Northerly wind !!) Back to the Lock off the wind on the Westerly side. A 'baker's' dozen returned. Rob taking the direct route also riding 'The Discard' back to Edmonton. I'd have loved a picture. Nice ride of a hilly 26.43 miles at 8.2 mph in 3hr 12 mins 39 secs. No punctures but a chain came off, (mine) which showed my recent adjustments needed a bit more 'fine tuning'.  Arrived back in daylight at about 3.15 PM.  Ian, Richard, Graham, Alan, Jim, Gunsel, Dave, Denise, Rob, Stuart, Jane, Laurent.

Sunday 9th November -  Docklands & St Katharine's Dock