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Post by cusqueno on May 9, 2023 10:26:25 GMT
Hi.
I've seen someone on one of the Viscount Facebook pages asked if there is likely to be a DFR 2023. Well, how about it?
Would a DFR somewhere in Hertfordshire be accessible to people from oop north? I mention this area as having good transport connexions and also a member in the vicinity ...
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Post by dracco on May 11, 2023 22:42:42 GMT
I'm up for it (although I'll be away toward the end of July). Incidentally, for people located North of Watford, it's worth pointing out that the York Cycle Rally, this year (23rd-25th June) has a scheduled "retro ride" for the morning of Saturday 24th. I went on the inaugural one a few years ago, and it was quite enjoyable (and since it was limited to the Vale of York, flat and undemanding) with a wide range of vintage bikes participating. I think that the route has been pretty much the same each year (excepting when Covid intervened). York is quite accessible by train, even from London! Check out yorkrally.org/ for details. There is abundant space on the site (York Racecourse) for camping/caravans. I'm planning to ride on this again this year, and if anyone else is interested, and would like something additional that's a bit more challenging over the weekend, I'll be happy to show you around. |
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Jem
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Post by Jem on May 12, 2023 9:01:04 GMT
I will have to say nearer the time, as we haven't nailed down summer holiday dates yet. Happy to travel down to the balmy south.
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robt
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Post by robt on May 17, 2023 14:39:57 GMT
Thanks for suggesting this, John.
I'd be happy to join a ride somewhere in or around Hertfordshire.
Any thoughts on when we might meet?
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Post by whippet on May 18, 2023 6:31:13 GMT
If I’m free I’ll make it. Would someone like to suggest some dates in July?
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Post by wheelson on Jun 13, 2023 22:12:37 GMT
My preliminary DFR 2023 may finally be as I proposed several (?) years ago: a somewhat modified Viscount Aerospace making a pilgrimage to the British Cemetery on Okracoke Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina (USA). Buried there are sailors from a WW2 shipwreck, quite an interesting story. As we vacation on OBX nearly every year, it’s a fun ride down to the ferry and, after a 40ish minute boat ride to the island, a warm 13 miles or so to the town. The town itself is very touristy (hot and crowded) and the return ferry trip is a refreshing treat after the appropriate land-based refreshments, of course.
The Viscount is reasonably stock with one major exception: I have for the last few years been using airless tires for the beach vacation as it is no fun fixing flats in 90df heat on a minimally bermed road with motor homes and semis whizzing by. This presented a challenge since my wheels for airless are 700x40 and too wide for the frame. So I tried a set of 650b x 32’s and success! Next I discovered that Viscount center pull brakes fitted with dropped brake shoes fit that long reach perfectly. Better yet, these wheels can interchange with my Austro Daimler as well.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I’ll update all the mods and finally learn how to post photos!
Best,
John “wheelson”
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 19, 2023 19:41:13 GMT
As ever, I am not paying close enough attention.
In Hertfordshire in July the Fete du Velo takes place on Redbourn Common on 2 July.
I can be around Hertfordshire all weekends except 9th - my daughter who some of you will be aware of (!) has completed her degree st Edinburgh University and graduates w/c 10th.
I can’t recommend camping places as I live here, but I’ll have a think.
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robt
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Post by robt on Jun 20, 2023 10:43:06 GMT
The weekend of 15/16 July works best for me.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 20, 2023 10:51:26 GMT
The campsite in Hertford has a good reputation but might be busy. Hertford was the venue for DFT 4.5 day ride to Potters Bar.
Train services from Moorgate and Stevenage serve Hertford North. Trains from Liverpool Street to Hertford East.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 20, 2023 10:53:36 GMT
I can’t offer to organise anything, long covid affects my mental energy and focus.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 20, 2023 10:59:50 GMT
Town Farm Ivinghoe I camped at, although that was ten years ago. Just outside village - walking distance to pub. Nearest station Cheddington but likely not many trains stop there. Leighton Buzzard or Tring about five miles away.
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robt
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Post by robt on Jun 20, 2023 12:16:19 GMT
The campsite in Hertford has a good reputation but might be busy. Hertford was the venue for DFT 4.5 day ride to Potters Bar. Train services from Moorgate and Stevenage serve Hertford North. Trains from Liverpool Street to Hertford East. Here's what I have of the DFR4.5 route that we took on 2nd October 2016. It looks like my phone battery packed in somewhere outside Potters Bar, just after we'd visited Cranbourne Road, so Map My Ride created straight lines to complete the route when I finished it & plugged the phone back in.  DFR4.5 route(ish) by RMT@261, on Flickr I've had a very quick search for 25-30 mile routes around the Hertford area, and found this route on Map my Ride, kindly created by Mark Posner at the beginning of this month:  Screen Shot 2023-06-20 at 13.08.20 by RMT@261, on Flickr It's just short of 30 miles (47km) with about 1200ft (360m) of elevation gain and runs through what I remember (from 25 years ago) as quite pleasant countryside, though close to the A1(M). If that's the sort of thing that would interest people, I'd be happy to re-work the route to begin and end at either Hertford, Welwyn Garden City (30min train ride from Kings Cross & accessible from the North) or Knebworth railway stations. Commons Wood Club Campsite in Welwyn Garden City looks like a possibility if any of our Motorhome/Campervan owning members fancy an overnight stay. Let me know what you think. |
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 24, 2023 17:45:02 GMT
45km route looks good, takes in the lovely Cole Green Way from Hertford to WGC. At Whitwell, Emily's Tea Room is a a long established cycling-friendly place. At the weekends, Simon Apps is often to be found in the Bike Bay at Emily's. It would be an idea to warn Peter is we were proposing to drop in with a large party. A Viscount for sale at Emily's was snapped up a friend, I think he is in this group. East of Codicote, the next cycle cafe is at Spoke. They have beer, as well as magnificent toasties. I am not sure about the A414 crossing, I would just head back into Hertford from the 40 blob on the B road. Starting point would need to be agreed - I think we may have gathered at Rose Cafe in Hertford for DFR 4.5. If we wanted a meeting place based on WGC, perhaps Stanborough Lakes or Gosling Stadium might do. Stanbororugh Lakes has a cafe. Gosling has a cafe too, but I don't routinely cycle there. Gosling does of course have the actual cycle track, but I don't think we could just rock up and whizz round. I have the DFR 4.5 route on Strava www.strava.com/activities/732208104 and www.strava.com/activities/732208024I'm not up to getting into flickr and sorting screen shots at the mo. |
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robt
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Post by robt on Jun 27, 2023 12:26:01 GMT
Just bumping this thread, as it will be July this coming weekend.
15th/16th is the only weekend I'm free in July, but I'd be happy to develop the route around Hertford & Welwyn for a different weekend if more people could make it some other time.
Rona, if we planned to start and finish at WGC, we could delete the loop to Hertingfordbury, possibly avoid an A414 crossing and knock about 5 miles off the distance.
Is anyone interested for a DFR in Herts on the 15/16th July or any other weekend?
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jun 30, 2023 18:01:39 GMT
It's the only weekend I'm free in July. Should we just go for a one day ride, either the Saturday or the Sunday?
Yes, can delete the Hertfordingbury loop. Horrible looking crossing of 414, if we did want to take in the delightful Cole Green Way, then come in towards Hertford on Tewin Road and get across at roundabout. It would make a nice jaunt for anyone staying at the campsite you mention, which is quite close to the Cole Green Way. But for a more leisurely ride, come back in to WGC from Bramfield via Tewin.
For a meeting point in WGC, may I suggest Simmons Bakers cafe, 33 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AP. Opens early, serves good coffee and nice sticky buns, also savoury stuff. Is handy for station.
Ah, WGC station, yikes. You get out through the Howard Centre shopping mall. As you come out the station into the shopping centre, there are escalators facing you. Don't. Turn right and go all along in that direction, there is a lift tucked away in the far corner. Once out you would work your way leftwards along Stonehills to Howardsgate to get to Simmons. Lifts to all platforms, ramp from footbridge to Howard Centre.
Do you want to name the day and time Rob?
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Post by theformeremployee on Jul 2, 2023 19:33:25 GMT
Although progress on "THE Book" is slow, I'd be pleased to try and get out to Potters Bar, as we need some photos. But my broken pelvis in the winter has not helped me with cycling, sadly.
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robt
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Post by robt on Jul 10, 2023 10:13:16 GMT
It's the only weekend I'm free in July. Should we just go for a one day ride, either the Saturday or the Sunday? Yes, can delete the Hertfordingbury loop. Horrible looking crossing of 414, if we did want to take in the delightful Cole Green Way, then come in towards Hertford on Tewin Road and get across at roundabout. It would make a nice jaunt for anyone staying at the campsite you mention, which is quite close to the Cole Green Way. But for a more leisurely ride, come back in to WGC from Bramfield via Tewin. For a meeting point in WGC, may I suggest Simmons Bakers cafe, 33 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AP. Opens early, serves good coffee and nice sticky buns, also savoury stuff. Is handy for station. Ah, WGC station, yikes. You get out through the Howard Centre shopping mall. As you come out the station into the shopping centre, there are escalators facing you. Don't. Turn right and go all along in that direction, there is a lift tucked away in the far corner. Once out you would work your way leftwards along Stonehills to Howardsgate to get to Simmons. Lifts to all platforms, ramp from footbridge to Howard Centre. Do you want to name the day and time Rob? Rona, Apologies, but I won't be able to visit Hertfordshire this coming weekend. My mother has been taken into hospital and I'll need to be available for her. Rob. |
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 10, 2023 12:29:57 GMT
I thought I had posted this earlier today, but I must have had a finger problem. Unfortunately I can't make the weekend of the 15/16 because it is my daughter's birthday that w/e. I am free, as far as I know, free most weekends from then until the end of August. The HERTS route looks promising.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Jul 13, 2023 20:21:15 GMT
With a yellow warning of strong wind and St Albans Market cancelled accordingly, this is not the weekend to be cycling in Hertfordshire.
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