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Post by lewisg on Jan 25, 2014 1:08:33 GMT
Holiday has been granted so I am absolutely going to be there!
Planning on camping as well. I should be able to bring all 3 bikes to the camp site but would be riding from there to any further meeting point (if feasible) and that'll be on the Pro.
Now you may think me keen but I'm just going to throw out there that should all go well with the Sport and it becomes a useful tourer I will be considering riding all the way to **whisper** dfr3 when/wherever it may be (obviously work/finances/weather/support allowing). Perhaps others could join along the way ; )
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jan 25, 2014 10:08:21 GMT
Holiday has been granted so I am absolutely going to be there! Planning on camping as well. I should be able to bring all 3 bikes to the camp site but would be riding from there to any further meeting point (if feasible) and that'll be on the Pro. Now you may think me keen but I'm just going to throw out there that should all go well with the Sport and it becomes a useful tourer I will be considering riding all the way to **whisper** dfr3 when/wherever it may be (obviously work/finances/weather/support allowing). Perhaps others could join along the way ; ) I will be camping and will probably ride there (if my son and wife don't come). Where are you starting from? I like the idea of meeting up on the journey.
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Post by lewisg on Jan 25, 2014 12:48:43 GMT
I will be camping and will probably ride there (if my son and wife don't come). Where are you starting from? I like the idea of meeting up on the journey.[/quote] For DFR3 it'd be from Exmouth, Devon (if all goes to plan as I said). Something around 250 miles or more!! Route would basically be National Cycle Network to Bristol then a fairly straight line up to the North/Midlands so not going anywhere near the East coast. This is based purely on a preliminary route search on Cyclestreets app and does mention walking segments so depending on how long these were there might be other diversions!
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jan 25, 2014 12:56:29 GMT
Wow! Hats off to you! Well, I am already in the midlands so it wouldn't make that much sense to link up except for the final bit if it came near to me. I'll post a few thoughts on the location in a while and maybe that will eventually give rise to a venue and will help your planning?
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Post by lewisg on Jan 25, 2014 19:36:14 GMT
Wow! Hats off to you! Well, I am already in the midlands so it wouldn't make that much sense to link up except for the final bit if it came near to me. I'll post a few thoughts on the location in a while and maybe that will eventually give rise to a venue and will help your planning? Note that this idea does relate to DFR3 so still a LONG way off!! Currently it's just another of my romantic fancies but I would like the challenge. Would certainly make it a charity fundraiser too.
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jan 26, 2014 13:23:00 GMT
OK, so it's 28th June for the rally.
Shall we try and get a location/ride/venue sorted?
My initial thoughts are that we need to consider a few things
1) Fairly central in England (possibly with rail link?) 2) a place with a number of camp sites 3) A shorter and longer ride option, (where we can avoid huge hills if possible for those who want to)
While last years ride was brilliant, I realise that there wasn't a huge number of camp sites and the one that Kev and myself stayed on was completely booked up before the day. I also think that if we go back to the same location and ride , it might just feel like the same thing (and quite possibly won't live up to the great time we had last year?) So, I am tending toward a new location. But I am happy to stay the same if it helps and makes sense for others.
I also had an idea the other day that if any of us has links or contacts that could get a church hall or Scout hut as a base for the day then it would be great. We could brew up a tea to begin with and it would be nice to get inside if it rains. We could also then show off the bikes and accessories etc It would also be a place to park up and then those who did the shorter ride could wait for others..? Alternatives to this are YHA's and ask if they mind us using the communal area and car park?
Or should it just be kept as simple as last year?
What are your thoughts?
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Post by whippet on Jan 26, 2014 14:48:13 GMT
As an alternative, I have a 3m x 4.5m awning / gazebo that's very good quality and comes with sides. Could be used as "Rally HQ" / hang out at a camp site.
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Post by velocipete on Jan 26, 2014 17:39:59 GMT
Hi all. To be fair to U.K. Viscount lovers,I suppose the midlands area would be the best venue. Decent motorway and rail links,and also some fine country lanes. I won't mention the routes that Dr Beeching made available! I'll leave it to the people living nearest to come up with a retinue. I've ridden in Warwickshire a fair bit and can say it is wonderful,but can be busy traffic-wise. I'm happy to go with the flow. Cheers, Pete.
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jan 27, 2014 19:38:41 GMT
As an alternative, I have a 3m x 4.5m awning / gazebo that's very good quality and comes with sides. Could be used as "Rally HQ" / hang out at a camp site. If we could find a friendly camp site, I could also bring my smaller camper van and park up next to you Kev. Then we'd have plenty of chairs between us etc. But the camp site would have to be very friendly to allow others to park etc. In my experience, some of these Caravan Club or super organised site people can be very (how shall I put this so it won't get censored...?) 'jobsworths', is the kindest way of putting it. That guy last year got upset when my son very politely asked him if the shop was still open for an ice cream, 7 minutes after official closing time. Not to put too fine a point on it he was a complete knob.
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Post by whippet on Jan 27, 2014 20:55:19 GMT
Good point. So what we need is a pub with a camping field attached that has experience of rally's. Motorcycling mates regularly go to weekends like this so there should be somewhere that fits the bill.
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Post by whippet on Jan 27, 2014 20:56:03 GMT
PS I'll ask on a motorcycle forum.
Or Google. Something like this will have parking in the pub car park so no need to upset campsite staff:
Link for New Inn, Stratford on Avon to follow...
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Post by whippet on Jan 27, 2014 21:11:13 GMT
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Post by sprockit on Jan 27, 2014 21:42:06 GMT
Same place/different place is a difficult decision to make: on the one hand it's a sense of deja vu/ familiar for those who were there last year, whilst being novel and exciting for those who weren't; on the other, a new location/route would have the same sense of novelty and unknown for all participants.
Busaste did wonderfully well to plan that route - it was a bit tame for the sporty types like Whippet, whilst being a bit tough on the more senior members (and Scott, who was newly back to the saddle after a long absence, and hadn't built up strength in his legs) - a fantastic balance, and all the more so because I believe it had been planned using Google Maps and Street View!
I'm easy either way as to whether we choose a different venue or go back to Chasewater, but if we do go back there, please can we avoid going down Wharf Lane - my poor Sport thought it's number was up when we arrived at that scrapyard . . . !
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jan 27, 2014 22:14:51 GMT
Yes, good thought Kev. I'll look at those links now I haven't camped here, but it fits your description of a pub with camping and experience of a rally or two. Not a million miles from Chasewater www.goldencupyoxall.co.uk/golden-cup-caravans.html(although, no electric hook up) EDIT- that Carsington one looks good
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Post by Stella on Jan 27, 2014 22:40:26 GMT
I'm easy, too. Ha. I should say that since I've not been there last year. I'm also easy re routes and that Whippet fella should shift down a gear. :-) Show off!
Joke aside, I thought the get together is to just enjoy a day out together, we can race, speed, chase up hills on all other 264 days of the year. It's only my personal view, though. I'm happy to do whatever suggested. Just happy to be there with you guys. I think a pub with camp-side would be great, although it depends on if I'm staying over night or if John's driving and has space in his car.
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Post by Scott W on Jan 28, 2014 18:43:24 GMT
Dear all...I am still around and can't wait for DFR2. I have doubled my viscount 'collection', which now includes a Colarado GT (£53 ebay) bought for my lad at Xmas and needs some tlc and hopefully will be available for DFR2. I struggled last time round (I blame the beer), but this year will be a different matter. I have signed the viscount up for l'eroica with my brother on his old willier, 50miles!!!!!! Training commenced last weekend with along way to get fully fit & capable but does give me a target to aim for.
Apologies for my lack of post's, but I am an avid follower of you all on here & the CTC.
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Post by velocipete on Jan 28, 2014 19:33:56 GMT
Well done Scott! If you remember, the big hill climb was before the pub stop,unless you had a few cunning bevies before we set off? My slight touch of "bonk" was due to, no meal the night before,nice evening in the village pub,no breakfast,and an early load up on the Saturday morning. Did I mention the heat? Most unusual for an English weekend. Hope for the same this year. Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on Jan 28, 2014 19:49:25 GMT
Holiday has been granted so I am absolutely going to be there! Planning on camping as well. I should be able to bring all 3 bikes to the camp site but would be riding from there to any further meeting point (if feasible) and that'll be on the Pro. Now you may think me keen but I'm just going to throw out there that should all go well with the Sport and it becomes a useful tourer I will be considering riding all the way to **whisper** dfr3 when/wherever it may be (obviously work/finances/weather/support allowing). Perhaps others could join along the way ; ) If I'm fit enough next year and you plan a night or so in a B&B, I'll join you. For the ride, no in your bed. lol Just to clarify. On further reflection, I think it would need two nights. I'm currently creeping around 20 miles, I think I could do 30 easily, but 130 or so a day would kill me.
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Post by sprockit on Jan 28, 2014 20:59:34 GMT
Scott,
Great to hear you are still around and riding.
See you at DFR2.
Sprockit
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Post by cusqueno on Jan 31, 2014 11:31:53 GMT
If you're training for the l'eroica, Scott, there might need to be a specially tough DFR2 route just for you. But, as the l'eroica is just a week before DFR2, perhaps you'll still be recovering?
I've just noticed that this topic has more than 900 views. I suppose that includes people returning several times, but even so, if say there are only 200 unique visits and 20% of them decide to come on the ride ...
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Post by Stella on Jan 31, 2014 17:27:54 GMT
Or we find ourselves in a crowd of 100+ Viscount and Lambert owners ... It may take a moment to pick our jaws up from the ground.
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Post by Stella on Jan 31, 2014 17:28:28 GMT
Ha! I'm senior member, I'm a senior member!
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Jem
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Posts: 3,375
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Post by Jem on Jan 31, 2014 20:18:42 GMT
Ha! I'm senior member, I'm a senior member! I very rarely use this phrase and certainly never shorten it, but your post did make me laugh out loud (although I stopped short of rolling on the floor laughing or even laughing my arse off, while I rolled on the floor..laughing). I realised the other week that I can change the setting for that so that there aren't any 'levels' or hierarchy - but didn't get around to doing it. I intended to do it as I despise any kind of implied or real 'class system'. I also realised that I'd posted some of the most banal, boring and just plain obvious posts at times and that qualified me to be some kind of thing like a 'senior member' and I was rather embarrassed , as it seemed to suggest I might know things or have something worthwhile to say. I can also change what those names are for each 'level'....now that could be funny, ...any suggestions? Stella- I could make you 'Immortal God of Viscount Maintenance' and change your colour stars to pink? EDIT- oh I see they are already pink
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Post by velocipete on Jan 31, 2014 20:45:07 GMT
Er,I think that may,perhaps be,"goddess"? Cheers, Pete.
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Post by velocipete on Jan 31, 2014 20:49:01 GMT
As a quick add on, I don't bother what I'm called, yea I know,"not too early in the morning"!! I just thought the senior member title should only be applied to gents over 60. He He. Cheers, Pete.
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Jem
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Posts: 3,375
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Post by Jem on Jan 31, 2014 20:51:36 GMT
Er,I think that may,perhaps be,"goddess"? Cheers, Pete. Yes, I stand corrected.
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Post by Stella on Jan 31, 2014 23:24:28 GMT
Ha! I'm senior member, I'm a senior member! "I very rarely use this phrase and certainly never shorten it, but your post did make me laugh out loud (although I stopped short of rolling on the floor laughing or even laughing my arse off, while I rolled on the floor..laughing). I realised the other week that I can change the setting for that so that there aren't any 'levels' or hierarchy - but didn't get around to doing it. I intended to do it as I despise any kind of implied or real 'class system'. I also realised that I'd posted some of the most banal, boring and just plain obvious posts at times and that qualified me to be some kind of thing like a 'senior member' and I was rather embarrassed , as it seemed to suggest I might know things or have something worthwhile to say. I can also change what those names are for each 'level'....now that could be funny, ...any suggestions? Stella- I could make you 'Immortal God of Viscount Maintenance' and change your colour stars to pink? EDIT- oh I see they are already pink" Fancy that! Although I'd be a bit concerned about the 'immortal' as I thought Gods are undead anyway. Do they actually cycle? Err. Not sure if I'm that spot on with maintenance either. I always wanted to be THE Viscount queen, or is it Viscountess? I haven't got a clue. Glad to have made you laugh; as you know, I aim to please. :-) And Pete, that was the first thing that went to my head: have I suddenly become a senior citizen by posting too much? I really need to get out more!
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Post by velocipete on Feb 1, 2014 9:09:46 GMT
According to Wagner the gods do indeed ride bikes, as in the Ring Cycle! Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on Feb 1, 2014 9:44:47 GMT
600AX, huh? Love the way you handled this, Jem. I feel much younger already.
Pete: Well, gotta keep in shape with all the busy life.
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Post by triitout on Feb 3, 2014 2:47:53 GMT
Wow, great reading and following the whole planning stage of DFR2. Looks like I'll be doing my SOLO MAN DFR2 event here in Long Island. You can all be assured I'm very flexible with the date! For some reason, I haven't gotten any notifications of new postings and have been spending way too much time shoveling snow. Finally got a weather break for the 1st outdoor ride of the year,on the Pro….felt great but gotta get the shovel ready for tomorrow….again. Been admiring the your mild weather on weather.com, so you guys can get ready for DFR2.
Pete, this should make you feel like a very young man:http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/102-year-old-breaks-hour-record-for-second-time-this-week-39780/
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