Additions and Updates to this site www.spokes.org.uk Frames version

 

The Lothian Cycle Campaign

 

 Rides and Diary of Events

SPOKES has a full programme of Sunday and Weekend rides. We show the way, help mend mechanical malfunctions, wait for the less-speedy, and help all to have a wonderful time! Please ensure your bike is in good order. Cycle carefully and considerately - you are entirely responsible for your own safety. Children under 14, or not used to roads, may only come with an adult.

SPOKES SUNDAY RIDES

Meet 10am, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Normally 1st Sunday each month. Rides are fairly gentle, 30 miles or so. Lunch at pub/cafe, or bring picnic. Light showers won't put us off, but persistent bad weather may mean cancellation. We show the way, help with mechanical malfunctions, wait for the less speedy and try to ensure all have a wonderful time! Cycle carefully and considerately. You are entirely responsible for your own safety. Children under 14, or not used to roads, may only come with an adult. Check dates/details with Stuart Threlfall l 0131.445.7073.

Dates: Sep 7 [picnic at Dave du Feu, Linlithgow. Free tea/coffee; bring own food] Oct 5 Nov 2. stuart@snowcycle.co.uk 445.7073. Note: Stuart has broken his leg playing football. Meantime rides will be led by symondsmark@hotmail.com 662.1635.

SPOKES WEEKEND RIDES 2003

Cycling is not fast, but you must be used to cycling and fit for 50-ish miles a day (with rest stops, tea breaks etc!). Your bike must be in good order - get it serviced if necessary. To book bike-bus & accommodation (YH usually) you normally have to phone the organiser at least 14 days in advance.

30-31 August: Edzell - Organiser: Ewan 07773 809159

13-15 September: Knapdale - Phone Elaine 01968 673905

20-21 Sept: Glen Doll - Organiser Paul 0131 662 1243

More details at http://www.bikebus.co.uk/

Go-Bike! (Strathclyde Cycle Campaign) also has a big rides programme - usually 1st Sunday each month, and some w'ends. Tel: 07932 460093 or info@gobike.org.

Dundee now has a big rides programme. This is a mixture of:

• Short, easy paced rides with lots of breaks and masses of encouragement. These would appeal to inexperienced adults or family groups which may include older children on their own bikes, or younger children on trailer bikes or kiddie seats, and of course any one wanting an easy day out with some fun company.
• Longer rides for more experienced cyclists

For further information and to register an interest.contact Diane Adams  01382 884 540 diane@maths.dundee.ac.uk. The rides are also featured on the Scottish Cycling Events Calander

CRITICAL MASS Edinburgh: 5.30 pm on the last Friday of each month, from behind the Royal Scottish Academy on The Mound.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS

Edinburgh University Green Activists meet Mondays 8.30pm, Cheviot Rm, Pleasance. Greensoc@holyrood.ed.ac.uk. Lobbying for cycleroutes, public transport and a greener city.

Strathclyde University BUG [Bicycle Users Group] has just been formed to press for better cycle facilities and encourage more bike commuting to the university. If you have an interest in improving the facilities for cyclists within and outsidethe University, please contact the new Strathclyde Cycle Users Group cycle@strath.ac.uk website

More BUGS Staff interested in setting up a BUG [Bicycle Users Group] can get help from SCDP 0141.287.9374. See also Spokes 74 page 2 re. Green Transport Plans document.

Pathways Group

If one of your new year resolutions is to DO SOMETHING how about becoming an occasional SPOKES Pathways volunteer? A productive bit of manual labour in the open air is just what you need! One project last year was the clean-up of Christian Path, Portobello.Details

MORE FOR YOUR DIARY - Please e-mail us with your entries.

Sep 21 Edinburgh Car-Free Festival 11am-5pm. After last year's tremendous inaugural event, with over 12000 participants, the West End of George Street will again be entirely car-free for an even bigger occasion - see enclosed flyer. The council is inviting all councillors, MPSs and MPs. By turning up, you support car-free development and sustainable transport. We compliment the council on sticking to 'car-free' rather than the government's weak and watery 'in-town-without-my-car' label. If you can help at the Spokes stall please see the slip below. We may be running... slogan competition / politicians' sign-up / ideas book / bike-part identification / cycleroute identification.

Sep 23-26 Velo-City International Cycle Conference in Paris. http://www.velo-city2003.com Email: velocity2003@mairie-paris.fr

Sep 25 'The Future of Environmental Justice' FOE Edinburgh public meeting. 8pm, Friends Meeting House, Victoria Terrace. Follows AGM at 6.30. Speaker: Duncan McLaren, new FOE[S] Chief Executive. Info: 466.8329 info@foe-edinburgh.org.uk.

Sep 27 'A Roch Wind Blawin?' FOE Scotland conference, in Edinburgh, on environmental justice and ecological debt. A strong international angle, with speakers from Ecuador and USA. What responsibility does industry have to local communities; and the industrialised world to the South? What can we learn from other countries? Fee £20-£80+vat Evening vegetarian meal and ceilidh [extra cost]. sdemowbray@foe-scotland.org.uk 554.9977.

Oct 11 Congestion Charging Ceilidh 7-11pm, family-friendly / pot-luck buffet / no smoking. By SERA [Labour environment pressure group]. maj@finnsdad.freeserve.co.uk 01368.864717.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES Meetings set up by the Council for feedback on local issues. 7pm. Open to all. Councillors and senior officials present for questions / discussion.

Sep 3 Central area meeting at City Chambers, High St

Sep 9 East Portobello High Sch Sep 17 Pentlands Firrhill Day Centre

Sep 23 North & Leith New Kirkgate Community Centre

Sep 29 South James Gillespie's High Sch Oct 7 West Rannoch Centre