Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389 
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Post by Jem on Mar 29, 2021 11:24:22 GMT
Just floating the idea. Tentative plans, wait till next year, or pencil something in the diary and see how the 'R' rate goes?
What are people's thoughts on it?
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 558
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Post by robt on Mar 29, 2021 14:39:12 GMT
The " Saddle to Spoke" exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum is due to finish on 13th June which, I think, is a week before Museums are allowed to re-open to the general public, so I'm not sure how that will work. Probably a bit early for a DFR get-together, but I'm happy to make enquiries to find out when/if they expect to be able to welcome visitors. As Viscount manufacturing by-passed Coventry on its trip from Bilston to Potters Bar, they might not feature our beloved brand, but it looks as though they have a Raleigh 20 on display for our forum's current 'niche'. In the meantime, there's a YouTube video that summarises the highlights of the exhibition, which may be of interest to forum members. I like the quote from John Howard: “The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.” I think that my engine is ready for a tune-up! I'll be happy to join a physical or virtual DFR, though I agree that a physical DFR could be tricky to plan at present. July looks possible, before we get into school holiday time, or September. I'm also happy to contribute to location and route planning if we're thinking of somewhere in the English Midlands to assist members' travel plans. |
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 29, 2021 14:40:03 GMT
I don't plan to travel out of the US this year except maybe Canada if the border is reopened, so I am hoping there will be at least a virtual DFR like last year. I would like to find out how much interest there is in a real DFR in the northeast US, although that is a pretty big area and would require overnight travel by some, depending on where it was held. Scaling back further, I think there are at least four or five members within day-trip distance of a common point, probably in Connecticut, so I would be interested in knowing about interest in something like that. Triitout and I have discussed it very briefly and considered some of the excellent rail trails in Connecticut and New York, north of the city.
Brian
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Post by franco on Mar 29, 2021 14:47:43 GMT
You would hope by August (at the latest) the majority will have had the second shot of the vaccine and groups will be allowed to meet in the UK.
If it’s anything to go by the Leeds Festival has sold out and that is in June I believe.
However, I can appreciate any concerns and if it’s another virtual DFR it will still be fun to participate.
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Post by wheelson on Mar 30, 2021 4:18:20 GMT
I don't plan to travel out of the US this year except maybe Canada if the border is reopened, so I am hoping there will be at least a virtual DFR like last year. I would like to find out how much interest there is in a real DFR in the northeast US, although that is a pretty big area and would require overnight travel by some, depending on where it was held. Scaling back further, I think there are at least four or five members within day-trip distance of a common point, probably in Connecticut, so I would be interested in knowing about interest in something like that. Triitout and I have discussed it very briefly and considered some of the excellent rail trails in Connecticut and New York, north of the city. Brian Like Brian, travel outside the US is not going to be a possibility for me this year, a previous trip to Scotland has already been replaced by a family beach vacation in late June and by a Yellowstone and Grand Tetons getaway in late July. Already way over budget, I can't see much of anything else, so it'll have to be a virtual for me. I won't have the luxury of a Viscount for the July trip but all else is possible as last year, with the exception that Mrs.W will hopefully be on the Lambert instead of a Cannondale mtb. I hope to have the pseudo-Supa ready for myself. I'd love to join the New England group, but I'm afraid that won't be possible for this one. Of course, I'm eager to see what the rest of the group comes up with. Best, John "wheelson" |
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Post by whippet on Mar 30, 2021 6:43:24 GMT
As holidays abroad are now unlikely, campsites in the UK are pretty much fully booked this summer already. A day trip might work though.
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 30, 2021 11:49:47 GMT
How about another international virtual DFR on July 11, same Sunday as last year?
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Mar 30, 2021 16:58:58 GMT
How about another international virtual DFR on July 11, same Sunday as last year? Brian That was one of the rides last year that sticks in my mind. I was up early and the weather was superb. I'm not particularly nostalgic but I spent the ride out thinking of previous Rally's and the people. I think this could be penciled in whatever; and anything else is a bonus. |
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Post by dracco on Apr 2, 2021 11:42:46 GMT
March certainly lived up to its billing, this year, coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. Temperatures pushing 20 degrees in Yorkshire, and on the 31st I reprised my virtual DFR of 2020.
April has now come in like a tiger...
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Post by franco on Apr 2, 2021 16:22:59 GMT
March certainly lived up to its billing, this year, coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. Temperatures pushing 20 degrees in Yorkshire, and on the 31st I reprised my virtual DFR of 2020. April has now come in like a tiger... Bizarre isn’t it. 21 degrees the other day and it’s going to be 6 degrees at the beginning of next week. On DFR, setting a virtual date and anything else being a bonus sounds like a good plan going forward. |
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Post by sprockit on Apr 4, 2021 21:02:41 GMT
We'll just have to see how things go - I'm happy to join in with either virtual or real DFR.
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Post by brianbutler on May 16, 2021 22:20:02 GMT
I am planning to ride a 100km (62.5 mile) route from Westfield, Massachusetts to New Haven, Connecticut on July 11, 2021 for the Virtual DFR. It consists of about 85km (53 miles) of paved bike trail and about 15km (9.5 miles) of on-road travel. I plan to exit the bike trail about 4km (2.5 miles) from its southern terminus at Yale University to end up at my daughter's apartment in New Haven. I have previously ridden the northern half of the route in both directions and it is a very good trail. I plan to use the Viscount Gran Sports for this adventure. If anyone is interested in doing some or all of this ride, please let me know. No part of the plan is sacred. I might be able to get my wife to drop me off at the start of the trail and meet me at my daughter's in New Haven but I am open to suggestions if other people are interested. Here is a link to the route on RideWithGPS:
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Jun 7, 2021 8:11:20 GMT
How about another international virtual DFR on July 11, same Sunday as last year? Brian Just bumping this one up. |
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 558
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Post by robt on Jun 7, 2021 9:54:00 GMT
Works for me.
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 7, 2021 10:52:31 GMT
Agreed. Time to start mapping out a route.
Brian
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Post by franco on Jun 9, 2021 21:50:43 GMT
I’m in.
Been thinking about a route for this for months.
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Post by wheelson on Jun 15, 2021 22:43:42 GMT
I’m in. Been thinking about a route for this for months. I may revert to my previous route from DFR8, scenic but kinda short. I may expand that as well as a warmup on the North Carolina Outer Banks a few weeks earlier. On another side issue, how many will be using an actual death fork? Mrs.W’s Lambert will definitely have the substitute as it has the Type 1 and I’ll take no chances with her. The pseudo-Supa has the Type 3 and I’ll probably use it, at least for a brief appearance. I’m 72, had two previous near-death experiences on bikes (thanks, helmets!), and currently battling rheumatoid-like arthritis and stage 2 prostate cancer. What do you think, am I tempting fate?! Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by franco on Jun 16, 2021 8:27:49 GMT
I’m in. Been thinking about a route for this for months. I may revert to my previous route from DFR8, scenic but kinda short. I may expand that as well as a warmup on the North Carolina Outer Banks a few weeks earlier. On another side issue, how many will be using an actual death fork? Mrs.W’s Lambert will definitely have the substitute as it has the Type 1 and I’ll take no chances with her. The pseudo-Supa has the Type 3 and I’ll probably use it, at least for a brief appearance. I’m 72, had two previous near-death experiences on bikes (thanks, helmets!), and currently battling rheumatoid-like arthritis and stage 2 prostate cancer. What do you think, am I tempting fate?! Best, John “wheelson” I too have the Type 3 fork and it’s something I debate over with myself as well John. Our road surfaces are really poor with potholes to the point the area has just received a government grant to improve its problems and that’s one of them. Alternatively I could make a route up using mostly trails which cuts out any big descents. Either way I’m going for it! |
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Post by wheelson on Jun 16, 2021 12:13:24 GMT
Good point about the roads, pretty horrible around here as well. I guess my strategy is to build up the pseudo-Supa as close to original as possible, with some concessions to gearing to accommodate old guy legs. As far as the death fork, the Type 3 will go on the bike since this will not be an every day rider anyway.
Good luck to all on the upcoming DFR, can't wait to see all the photos.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 16, 2021 22:46:02 GMT
I wonder if you could fill death forks with epoxy or maybe even a foam to reduce flexing and cracking? They might still be lighter that steel replacements.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Jun 16, 2021 23:12:14 GMT
I wonder if you could fill death forks with epoxy or maybe even a foam to reduce flexing and cracking? They might still be lighter that steel replacements. Brian It’s a thought but since they’re cast I’m not sure how much “hollowness” exists. And it seems a lot of the bad rap was around the crown area, hence the steel insert in the Type 3 crown/steerer. By the way, has anyone seen a broken Type 3? Like you I wonder about a foam filler in tubes. Perhaps in those carbon fiber echo chambers! “Now where’s that awful squeak coming from??!!” Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 16, 2021 23:28:44 GMT
Ah yes, I suppose they are solid castings. Never mind.
Brian
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Post by sprockit on Jun 20, 2021 20:35:28 GMT
July 11th?
6 miles to the bottom of Cragg Vale 'England's longest continuous climb', 6 miles up it, have a pint in the hostelry at the top, then a 3 mile descent, and 5 miles home. Makes a nice 20-miler, and about the right length for the DFR rides.
Could do it the other way round, the 3 mile climb up Blackstone Edge is quite a grind - but the pint at the top and the 6 mile descent are all the sweeter!
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Post by triitout on Jun 29, 2021 1:17:38 GMT
I'll be going the virtual route on July 11th as well. I must say Brian's route using the rail trail in Connecticut would be very tempting if it were a round trip vs a point to point and DFR didn't fall the day after my first triathlon of the year on a nice hilly course the day before. I tend to be a bit knackered the next day from the effort and the 5AM drive to the race venue.  |
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Post by grosh on Jun 29, 2021 8:41:57 GMT
Regarding broken type 3 forks I have "only" managed to put a hairline crack in mine - high speed into a large pot hole disguised by a puddle! 2 wheel rims just about a write off but only a very fine crack in the forks; managed to ride the bike back. Resilient forks given the abuse the forks got in the late 70s and 80s without any "issues"....Forks replaced with (type 3 of course) and now the Aerospace Pro is ridden occasionally.....
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 29, 2021 9:59:10 GMT
I'll be going the virtual route on July 11th as well. I must say Brian's route using the rail trail in Connecticut would be very tempting if it were a round trip vs a point to point and DFR didn't fall the day after my first triathlon of the year on a nice hilly course the day before. I tend to be a bit knackered the next day from the effort and the 5AM drive to the race venue. It turns out I will be in New Hampshire on the 11th so whatever I do will be a hilly route. Should be fun and I look forward to reading the ride reports.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Jun 30, 2021 1:27:11 GMT
I'll be going the virtual route on July 11th as well. I must say Brian's route using the rail trail in Connecticut would be very tempting if it were a round trip vs a point to point and DFR didn't fall the day after my first triathlon of the year on a nice hilly course the day before. I tend to be a bit knackered the next day from the effort and the 5AM drive to the race venue. It turns out I will be in New Hampshire on the 11th so whatever I do will be a hilly route. Should be fun and I look forward to reading the ride reports.
Brian
I did 18 very hot and shade-free miles here on the North Carolina Outer Banks today, so hopefully I can handle the upcoming DFR. I just have to re-learn how to hydrate! Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 30, 2021 11:09:57 GMT
It turns out I will be in New Hampshire on the 11th so whatever I do will be a hilly route. Should be fun and I look forward to reading the ride reports.
Brian
I did 18 very hot and shade-free miles here on the North Carolina Outer Banks today, so hopefully I can handle the upcoming DFR. I just have to re-learn how to hydrate! Best, John “wheelson” Stay cool, John.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Jun 30, 2021 13:51:20 GMT
I did 18 very hot and shade-free miles here on the North Carolina Outer Banks today, so hopefully I can handle the upcoming DFR. I just have to re-learn how to hydrate! Best, John “wheelson” Stay cool, John.
Brian
Mrs. W and the “ferry godmother” (Ocracoke Island ferry person who insisted on filling my wbottle from her private ice cold supply) so to it that I survived. This was my first real outing this year and a brutal one because of the heat and no shade. A good stress test that I really needed and feeling great today. Best, J “wheelson” |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 30, 2021 15:13:25 GMT
Mrs. W and the “ferry godmother” (Ocracoke Island ferry person who insisted on filling my wbottle from her private ice cold supply) so to it that I survived. This was my first real outing this year and a brutal one because of the heat and no shade. A good stress test that I really needed and feeling great today. Best, J “wheelson” Sounds like a good support team and a great location for a ride. It has been hot (95F plus) here the past three days so I have been going out early, home before it tops 90. Now we are in for a week of showers and thunderstorms with highs in the 60's in central NH just in time for vacation. But what can you do?
Brian
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