December Rides & Events in Waltham Forest

Sunday 1 December – 4-8pm, View Tube, The Greenway, Marshgate Lane, Stratford E15 2PJ
Newham Cyclists’ Christmas Lights Ride
Ride into the West End to visit some of the best seasonal lights.

Sunday 1 December – 11am, The Mill, Coppermill Lane, E17
The Sunday Cycle (intermediate)
Meet outside The Mill in Coppermill Lane at 11am for a gentle ride of c. 20km / 13 miles. Return c. 4pm. If you have questions, contact Katja at katjarosenberg@hotmail.com or 07799 411 587.

Sunday 7 December – 12-5pm, Timber Lodge Cafe, 1A Honour
Lea Avenue, E20 1DY
Newham Cyclists’ Ride to Pig’s Ear Beer Festival
Ride to the annual beer festival in Hackney

Sunday 8 December – 1pm, Orford Rd / Church Lane by the Ancient House E17
Walthamstow Family Bike Club’s Open Spaces Ride (intermediate)
A relaxed and enjoyable afternoon travelling by bicycle and exploring the nooks and crannies in and around our borough. Frisbees sometimes materialise when we hit a suitable open space.
We aim to stop off at a café at about half-time, but we recommend you bring a snack and some water.

Saturday 14 December – 15:45-17:15, meeting outside The Castle pub in Walthamstow Village (junction of Eden Road & Grosvenor Rise East)
Twinkly Sparkly Ride (beginners)

Celebrate the arrival of the winter months with a short sociable family-friendly bike ride round Walthamstow to view local festive decorations & illuminations. You could consider decorating your bike with a bit of tinsel or more – we’ll have a prize for the best decorated bike!

We’ll set off from outside the Castle pub in Walthamstow Village (junction of Eden Road & Grosvenor Rise East) at 4pm. We’ll do a short 2 mile loop for our younger participants, followed by bigger 6 mile ride ending up back at our starting point a little after 5pm. Some of us may then retire to a local pub.

Sunday 15 December – 10:30am, Walthamstow Town Square
Take the Peaceful Route with Nic
Meet from about 10:30 for an 11 o’clock start outside Walthamstow Library / Farmers’ Market.
Join Nic for the peaceful ride over mixed surfaces (be ready for a bit of mud!). The destination and direction of the ride will be discussed at the start and will account for wind speed and direction and may be train-assisted – so take your Oyster or contactless debit card with you.

Sunday 15 December – 2-3:30pm, Walthamstow Village Square
Walthamstow Family Bike Club’s Newcomers Ride (beginners)
The perfect ride for those new to cycling, including families with young children, and will especially appeal to those who don’t have the stamina or confidence for our longer ‘Open Spaces’ excursions on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Saturday 21 December – 8:30am, Leytonstone @ McDonald’s
North Star Velo Christmas Road Ride to Blackmore
Join the ride to Megarry’s Tea Shop in Blackmore. Back by midday.

Sunday 29 December – 2pm, Walthamstow Town Square
WFCycling Festive Ride (intermediate)
Please note this is an afternoon ride on the 5th Sunday of the month, not the 4th!Instead of our monthly social ride, join us for an inter-festive breather of a ride, gentle-paced and short (no more than 15 miles), with a café destination.
Bring lights – twinkly welcome!
Meet at 1:45 outside Walthamstow Library, for a departure by 2pm.

Every Saturday – 8:30am, Leytonstone @ McDonald’s
North Star Velo Road Rides
North Star Velo also run frequent midweek short road rides, evening and sometimes morning so do check their website!

Dr Bike
Cycle Confident training sessions
All Ability Cycling Club
Maintenance Sessions
Head over to the Enjoy Waltham Forest website for dates and locations!

Ride guide:

• Beginner rides, 3-5 miles, off road or quiet roads only, flat, not next to water (e.g. canal) slow pace (e.g. 5-7 mph).
• Intermediate rides, 5-15 miles, off road and quiet or moderate roads, may have some hills, steady pace (e.g. 8-10 mph).
• Advanced rides, 15 miles+, hilly in parts or faster pace – see ride description.

If you have any questions or would like your ride listed here just get in touch. 

Want to try family bikes and trikes? Rent one for the ride directly from Waltham Forest Council.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 26th November

Our monthly meeting is on Tuesday and all cyclists are welcome – 8pm to 9:30pm in the Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH

The major topics for this month are:

1. One year plan: Fred show the group updates on it, ask for more feedback.
2. Clarify working group structure. 
3. New rides and training ride leaders
4. Summary of meeting with Jonathan from Whipps Cross
5. Summary of Bikeworks news from Sarah/other #allability member

Agenda

Introductions

Appointment of minute taker – Caroline has volunteered

Successes and Achievements

• Whipps Cross Meeting – feedback
• Higham Hill Ride
• All Ability Cycling Meeting (to be discussed later in meeting)
• School Bike Bus
• Share your news!

Previous meeting minutes

Please read the previous meeting minutes in advance if you want to comment on them.

• Details of who at the council does what, and their email addresses, have been shared on Slack. These shouldn’t be given to members of the public, who should be directed to enjoy@walthamforest.gov.uk
• Any comments/corrections?

Campaigning, Outreach and LCC

• Volunteer needed for LCC Festive Local Group Forum, Wednesday 11th December. The first hour being the usual forum, and the second hour will be mince pies, followed by a trip to the pub for anyone who would like to join us. 6:30pm at LCC’s office.
• Upgrading the stall for 2020 – LCC’s local group shop: T-shirts and how’s our gazebo?
• Motherload – joint screening with Cycle Sisters

One Year plan and group structure

An update on our plan for 2020:

• Explaining how the group works and the role of ‘group officers’.
• Our working groups have their own slack channels. If volunteers aren’t able to use Slack they can be updated by another means or the conversation could move elsewhere.
• I’m proposing to shelve the engagement event, pencilled in for April. We don’t have a compelling reason to draw new people in (like the MH funding did) and new volunteers have means we have the capacity to engage new people throughout the summer.
• Next steps – getting feedback on our plans for 2020.

Working Groups

All ability Cycling Update

Outreach Working Group

Ideas for other groups we could make contact with

WFCC Rides

• Ride leader report back
  • WFCC ride to central london royal parks (24th November)
• Twinkly Sparkly Ride (14th December)
• End of Year Social Ride (29th)
• Tour de Waltham Forest – it’s coming back sometime between mid June and early July!
• Mariam taking over Newcomers ride
• Emergency Contact Cards – design produced by Paul, but waiting on Newcomers ride changes to be confirmed
• Caroline has produced a questionnaire for ride leaders so we can provide better information on our website.
• Ride leader training – Caroline has put together a list of people who are interested

Council Liaison

Issues

• Extension of Lea Bridge Rd tracks to Waterworks roundabout
• Gosport Rd filter in Markhouse Village
• Markhouse Rd track link to Lea Bridge Rd
• Temple Mills Lane track to Drapers Field
• Essex Rd works for Coppermill Liveable Neighbouthood
• Higham Hill/Lloyd Park Livable Neighbourhood perception study launched
• Henry Maynard School streets consultation underway
• Review of Cycle Superhighway (Lea Bridge Road)

Actions & Successes

• Letter sent in support of joint Waltham Forest / Newham Liveable Neighbourhood
• Letter sent about redevelopment of the gasworks site next to Leyton Jubilee Park & response

Feedback & any other Waltham Forest issues?

Any other business

Summary of action points by minute taker

Next meeting – January 28th, same time same place. No meeting in December, but plenty of rides to join!

​Informal networking

Any additional items for the agenda please comment below, or email contact@wfcycling.org.uk

WFCC is part of the London Cycling Campaign, the world’s largest urban cycling organisation. You don’t need to be an LCC member to attend our meetings, but if you like what we do please consider joining LCC to help support our work. Members also receive discounts in many bike shops, insurance and other benefits.

November Rides & Events in Waltham Forest

Saturday 2 November – 5-8:30pm, Woodgrange Market, 10 Sebert Rd, E7 0NQ
Newham Cyclists’ Fireworks Ride
Ride to the organised fireworks display at Dockside.

Sunday 3 November – 10am, Leytonstone @ McDonald’s
The E11 Ride to Trinity Buoy Wharf
Meet outside McDonald’s in Leytonstone High Street E11 for 10am departure. If you have questions, call Dwight on 07973 131429.

Sunday 3 November – 11am, The Mill, Coppermill Lane, E17
The Sunday Cycle
Meet outside The Mill in Coppermill Lane at 11am. Return c. 3pm. If you have questions, contact Katja at katjarosenberg@hotmail.com or 07799 411 587.

Sunday 10 November – 1pm, Orford Rd / Church Lane by the Ancient House E17
Walthamstow Family Bike Club’s Open Spaces Ride
A relaxed and enjoyable afternoon travelling by bicycle and exploring the nooks and crannies in and around our borough. Frisbees sometimes materialise when we hit a suitable open space.
We aim to stop off at a café at about half-time, but we recommend you bring a snack and some water.

Sunday 17 November – 10:30am, Walthamstow Town Square
Take the Peaceful Route with Nic
Meet from about 10:30 for an 11 o’clock start outside Walthamstow Library / Farmers’ Market.
Join Nic for the peaceful ride over mixed surfaces (be ready for a bit of mud!). The destination and direction of the ride will be discussed at the start and will account for wind speed and direction and may be train-assisted – so take your Oyster or contactless debit card with you.

Sunday 17 November – 2-3:30pm, Walthamstow Village Square
Walthamstow Family Bike Club’s Newcomers Ride
The perfect ride for those new to cycling, including families with young children, and will especially appeal to those who don’t have the stamina or confidence for our longer ‘Open Spaces’ excursions on the 2nd Sunday each month.

Sunday 17 November – 10am-2:30pm, View Tube, The Greenway, Marshgate Lane, Stratford E15 2PJ
Newham Cyclists’ Heritage Ride

Sunday 24 November – 10:30am, Walthamstow Town Square
WFCycling Social Ride
Our monthly gentle-paced social ride, never more than 30 miles – this one probably no more than 15 miles.
Bring a drink, but we will stop for lunch along the way. Please bring your Oyster card or contactless debit card for use on public transport.
Meet at 10:15 outside Walthamstow Library, for a departure by 10:30. We are usually back by 3-4pm.

Every Saturday – 8:30am, Leytonstone @ McDonald’s
North Star Velo Road Rides
North Star Velo also run frequent midweek short road rides, evening and sometimes morning so do check their website!

Dr Bike
Cycle Confident training sessions
All Ability Cycling Club
Maintenance Sessions
Head over to the Enjoy Waltham Forest website for dates and locations!

Advance notice:
Sunday 1 December – 4-8pm, View Tube, The Greenway, Marshgate Lane, Stratford E15 2PJ
Newham Cyclists’ Christmas Lights Ride
Ride into the West End to visit some of the best seasonal lights.

If you have any questions or would like your ride listed here just get in touch. 

Want to try family bikes and trikes? Rent one for the ride directly from Waltham Forest Council.

Meeting – Tuesday 22nd October

Our monthly meeting is on Tuesday and all cyclists are welcome – 8pm to 9:30pm in the Hornbeam Centre, 458 Hoe Street, E17 9AH

Agenda

Introductions

Appointment of minute taker – Caroline has volunteered

Review of previous meeting minutes

Please read the previous meeting minutes in advance if you want to comment on them.

• Any comments/corrections?

Sarah with her award for the Family Cycling Fun Day (best family cycling event) at the London Cycling Campaigner Awards

Campaigning, Outreach and LCC (8:10)

• The LCC AGM (Wednesday 16th October) – feedback
• What we’re working on (Trello board)
• Whipps Cross potential cycling rehabilitation project – Fred to update group.
• One year(+) plan. Fred to start looking at what this should contain and come back to the group with an outline for discussion and input. Anyone else want to be involved?
• Setting up teams to work on specific areas. These could then work outside of our monthly meetings, and or take over monthly meetings so we can focus on a specific area – specific teams to be discussed later in meeting.

Outreach working group aka ‘Smashing the patriarchy’

• Set up a team to look at cycling outreach. Who would like to be involved?
• Named outreach person – what should their role be?  Quick discussion now and then the outreach team can develop futher. 

Inclusive cycling & rides

Working group for inclusive cycling:

• Who would like to be involved?
• Slack Channel
• What is the best way to communicate with the council?
• Issues to look at:
  • Ask council to lend bikes for rides
  • Ask council about more funding for bikeworks to provide sessions for kids.  Or can we use bikeworks bikes/wheels for wellbeing etc to take kids on rides?
  • Can council get adapted bikes?
  • Providing better information about the rides we publicise (see September Agenda)
  • Contacting Bikeworks for a meeting?
  • Anything else?

WFCC Rides (8:35)

• Ride leader report back
• December ride to end at cafe?
• Routes page on website has been fixed
• rides@wfcycling.org.uk email address created for any queries about rides. Currently this goes to Bridget, Mat and Fred
• Cards for riders with contact details – volunteer required to design something.

Ride leader training

• We have three people interested, but we need 6-12 and a venue.
• Are there any guidelines for who is suitable to do the training? Details here.
• How can we add more people to this list (nudge keen riders?)?
• Any volunteers to organise this?

Council Liaison (8:55)

Issues

• LBR design over bridge into Hackney – light seg rationale – loss of effective width
• Rigg Approach, Heybridge Way – replicate Lammas Rd treatment
• Parking on LBR, Markhouse, Forest difficulty contacting enforcement (need improved escalation process)

Successes

• Whipps Cross Interchange (landscaping) & LBR completion & launch event
• Higham Hill/Lloyd Park LTN engagement – Higham Hill through road all others filtered?
• Markhouse track extension
• LBR Extension to Dalston
• Community Walking & Cycling Fund (using Ashden award funding)
• Woodhouse Rd/Terling Close junction treatment and planters
• School streets
• New hanger batch (confirm numbers in/planned)

Any other Waltham Forest issues?

• Fred asks: Who is it best to talk to in the council about non infrastructure issues For instance, getting cycles moved to Leytonstone to enable people without bikes to get training? Or the promise to get an all ability bike?

Any other business (9:15)

• School bike bus! (Caroline)
• What do you want to discuss?

​Informal networking

Next meeting – November 26th, same time same place

Any additional items for the agenda please comment below, or email contact@wfcycling.org.uk

WFCC is part of the London Cycling Campaign, the world’s largest urban cycling organisation. You don’t need to be an LCC member to attend our meetings, but if you like what we do please consider joining LCC to help support our work. Members also receive discounts in many bike shops, insurance and other benefits.