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Post by brianbutler on Jul 8, 2020 0:20:39 GMT
Weather looks marginal for DFR8 around here, but I'm doing it rain or shine. I've decided on riding from home in a figure 8 using two routes I often ride. The first loop is about 36 miles on the Viscount Aerospace GP and includes the Wayside Inn (as in Longfellow's Tales of a Wayside Inn). Back home for lunch, then out for the second loop of 26 miles on the Viscount Sebring through rural country nearby. The total will give me a metric century entirely on New England back roads. There should be some good photo opportunities.
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DFR8
Jul 8, 2020 1:55:30 GMT
Post by triitout on Jul 8, 2020 1:55:30 GMT
Weather looks marginal for DFR8 around here, but I'm doing it rain or shine. I've decided on riding from home in a figure 8 using two routes I often ride. The first loop is about 36 miles on the Viscount Aerospace GP and includes the Wayside Inn (as in Longfellow's Tales of a Wayside Inn). Back home for lunch, then out for the second loop of 26 miles on the Viscount Sebring through rural country nearby. The total will give me a metric century entirely on New England back roads. There should be some good photo opportunities.
Sunday's forecast is 88 degrees and mostly sunny by me. I'm undecided on two bikes through scenic areas on separate loops of the North Shore which is hilly with farms and the South Shore ocean beach area or crappy photos using all 11 or 12 Viscounts on a neighborhood loop which gives me ample refreshment breaks if it gets hot. Game time decision. I digress with an out of place comment from your refurb post. I've also got a Trek Madone ( 2009 5.2 carbon model). It was my main triathlon race bike until I switched to racing on my Motobecane Titanium bike with more success. They both give my legs a break when I'm too beat up to push the old steel bikes. I enjoy rotating the modern with the vintage. Train heavy, race light works well for me.
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wheelson
Viscount
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Post by wheelson on Jul 8, 2020 2:05:28 GMT
I see the weather here in Western Pennsylvania USA is now showing partly sunny with a high of 85degF. Some stormy weather leading up to it, though, so the trails I usually ride on may be a bit iffy. Should be able to get in a ride though, hopefully with some decent photo ops. I hope everyone has a good ride. My best this year has been about 25mi. but it's good to be riding again following almost a year off due to some physical challenges. Looks like it will be on my unknown model Viscount/Lambert as the Aerospace and the pseudo-Supabike have little chance of coming together at this time since I'm putting in way too many hours at the bike shop fixing all those other bikes. Best, John "wheelson" Wilson
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Post by franco on Jul 8, 2020 6:48:28 GMT
We’ve been forecast sunny spells and light winds. I’ll probably do around 20 miles and have figured out a route that cuts out some big climbs as I’ve only got a 28T block on all three Viscounts which I need to address at some point. Really don’t want to fit one of those ugly Shimano ‘Megarange’ 34T blocks but they are about the only thing readily available. There are several country pubs along the route but I’m not sure if I’ll stop or if they will even be open.
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jul 8, 2020 6:53:32 GMT
I might recreate the DFR that we had around here a few years ago, starting in Rolleston. I think that was about 26 miles. Looking forward to it!
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Post by brianbutler on Jul 11, 2020 17:40:38 GMT
Good luck to everyone on tomorrow's rides. I'm looking forward to hearing about them. Hot day here tomorrow (92 F) and high humidity so it will be an early and slow day.
Brian
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Post by franco on Jul 11, 2020 18:40:40 GMT
Hope everyone has a good run out. I’m looking forward to it
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 11, 2020 19:04:22 GMT
The south of England had our DFR8 today, because some people weren’t available tomorrow. A great day with plenty of sunshine but moderate temperatures (about 22 deg C - 72 F). 27 miles, one pub, one coffee shop and one puncture. Pictures here www.facebook.com/groups/286452936052885/?ref=shareAnd on the usual Fb pages.
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Post by franco on Jul 11, 2020 19:53:52 GMT
The south of England had our DFR8 today, because some people weren’t available tomorrow. A great day with plenty of sunshine but moderate temperatures (about 22 deg C - 72 F). 27 miles, one pub, one coffee shop and one puncture. Pictures here www.facebook.com/groups/286452936052885/?ref=shareAnd on the usual Fb pages. Some great pics there mate, looks like you had a good day!
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Post by dracco on Jul 11, 2020 21:18:27 GMT
I've been off the board for most of the lockdown period (but made up for this by re-reading the entire CTC/Cycling UK Viscount Bicycles thread), and I've just caught up with the concept of the distributed DFR tomorrow!
I shall be setting off on a tour of Nidderdale (area of outstanding natural beauty) in solidarity with everyone else.(althought the thout did occur to me that if we all got together, social distancing shouldn't be too much of a problem for those of us who find holding the wheel increasingly difficult as the years advance).
My route: Set off from home (just south of Harrogate) ride through Knaresborough and head towards Ripon. From their take the road to Fountains Abbey, and ride through the park adjacent to the National Trust site via Studley Roger (one of my favourite place-names, sounding just like the name of a philandering villain in a Victorian melodrama: "Hallo my dear, I'm Studley Roger" (twirls moustachio)).
From there, around the back of the Fountains site and (gulp) up and over How Hill,ending up on a road that takes me down to Ripley Castle. From there, back along the Nidderdale Greenway to Harrogate, out past the Yorkshire showground to home.
I'll try and sort out some pics along the route.
Ride safely, everyone!
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wheelson
Viscount
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Post by wheelson on Jul 12, 2020 3:19:46 GMT
Weather looks marginal here for tomorrow in Western Pennsylvania USA. Rained here today until mid-afternoon. It's supposed to be good tomorrow until 2pm then a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms, so it might be an abbreviated ride. I'll be riding the unknown model Lambert/Viscount, feels solid after a short neighborhood ride today.
Best of luck to all, John "wheelson" Wilson
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Jul 12, 2020 10:09:35 GMT
Happy International DFR Day everyone! For various reasons , I thought an early start was going to be my best bet. The sun was out at 5.00am and I set off at 5.15 ish. At times, I wished my fingerless gloves had fingers in, as there were some deep shadows and it was cool, but after 20 mins, perfect cycling weather! I took a route very similar to a Death Fork Rally we had a few years back. Ended up being 21.3 miles, average speed 9.8mph and a couple of stops -2hours 11mins. ride time. I had to resist getting my camera phone out every 5 minutes as there were so many opportunities for snaps, as the sun, shadows and light at that time of day are really good for photos. I didn't see any other traffic for about 1hr 15 mins and I had the roads to myself. Only saw maybe 6 or 7 on the whole trip toward the end. Bliss. I had many flash back moments to the DFR we did on these roads. Here's but a few...As I rode the lane past a farm where they kept dairy cattle I recalled the very sorry tale of Velocipete getting cow muck splatter up from his back wheel , all up his favourite cycling shorts (which stained and I don't think came out). Then I stopped at the pub that was one of our stopping points on the previous DFR. Outside the 2 majestic whippets still adorn the car park entrance, which obviously was a talking point for Whippet at the time. I recalled the chat at the table with Sprockitt , Cusqueno and Stella. Then I recreated the photo (see below) under the great old road sign by the pub, and again had trouble standing the camera on the new waist high road sign. Felt a bit lonely when I looked at the picture and remembered the fun we had on that run out. Next , down the long lane that many people remarked on as it was a strange design, in sections like an airport road, not tarmac but more like a concrete. I road with Steve (Bustaste ) on that section and recall the discussion. Surprisingly I didn't have any punctures as I was diverted from a cycle route that have often ridden. A new housing development had pushed it off route through 3 fields with make shift paths, which almost necessitated getting off and pushing - the amount of brambles/thorns along the route was such that I was sure I'd be getting a flat any moment as my tyre pressure is pretty high on that bike. This reminded me of Stoatie who had some trouble with his tubs on his Aerospace as soon as we set off from the camp site in Rolleston. And the only other puncture that I could recall was Scott on the very first one in the blistering heat. All in all, a tranquil, relaxed ride with 90% in nature and without a single noise that wasn't my freewheel or a bird, cow or sheep. But, it doesn't beat the thrill of riding on a big group with Viscount enthusiasts - Hopefully next year? ps Being a Sunday, and I passed 3 churches, I thought the second photo was appropriate IMG_3473 by , on Flickr IMG_3483 by on Flickr
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Post by triitout on Jul 12, 2020 13:09:16 GMT
Well done Jem! I enjoyed the word picture you painted. There is a melancholy feeling revisiting those spots without the group. Breakfast is done. Time to pump up the tires and head out to the north shore.!
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Post by franco on Jul 12, 2020 13:36:49 GMT
I set off around 12.15, got back at 1.50, about 23 miles on a familiar route. Went through Hardwick to get a picture of the Hall with the Aerospace 400... A bit disappointed I couldn’t get the RD sorted on the Pro before today but it will definitely be ready for next year! It’s nice to put names to faces, my old iPhone hasn’t got a timer function on the camera so thought this road mirror was the next best thing... A very enjoyable ride, lovely weather and felt good to be part of something happening internationally as well. I’m a solo rider but felt I was with other people in spirit today No pub stop, considered it at Scarcliffe but I didn’t have my card on me. Cracked the lucozade open at Bolsover instead, but I’ll be having a few beers tonight! Here is my route...
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Jem
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Post by Jem on Jul 12, 2020 16:05:57 GMT
I know that area Franco, great looking ride. Hardwick Hall is day out for us every couple of years. And whenever I see the name or hear it , I can't resist saying 'Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall' - for those that have never been, it's quite a story , which I don't have the skill to recount here. I like the mill down the bottom of the track on the way out too.
I thought you weren't doing any hills? You had a few good ones in there by the looks of it?
I love the reflection in the mirror shot, great idea!
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Post by franco on Jul 12, 2020 16:18:45 GMT
I know that area Franco, great looking ride. Hardwick Hall is day out for us every couple of years. And whenever I see the name or hear it , I can't resist saying 'Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall' - for those that have never been, it's quite a story , which I don't have the skill to recount here. I like the mill down the bottom of the track on the way out too. I thought you weren't doing any hills? You had a few good ones in there by the looks of it? I love the reflection in the mirror shot, great idea! Thanks Jem. The hills are a bit unavoidable unless you hit the old pit trails, but with it being Sunday the trails are usually busy with walkers so I stuck to the roads. It wasn’t too bad to say it’s been some time since I did over 20 miles on a 12 Speed, but I felt the few climbs towards the end of the ride.
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Post by triitout on Jul 12, 2020 18:12:38 GMT
I'm back and well rehydrated from a nice, scenic hilly ride. Sunny and warm with much less humidity made it a very pleasant day for DFR8. I choose a route that brings me out from classic suburban, traffic filled roads and into the well to do enclaves of shaded country like roads with the last remaining working farms in Nassau County. My route also includes horse farms and water views. It is my escape from the stresses of work, congestion, anxiety and everything that goes along with living in the covid19 world. My Viscount bikes reconnect me to a simpler time and are a tangible physical part of my past. Riding a 40+ year old bike is like subtracting 40+ years from my age. It's my fountain of youth. Glad to participate in our first virtual and international DFR with a great group of like minded folks. After being inspired by sooper8's early post, and a belly full of coffee and french toast, I received my usual "be careful" advise from my my wife and took a photo to mark the start. IMG_0268 copy First up are the well traveled, busy streets that lead me to our county's largest park. Newly added bike lanes help me skip some of the busier road and are a welcomed addition. Part of the bike path was once the famed Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, site of early car races in the early 1900's that started in NYC and went east into Suffolk County. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Motor_ParkwayIMG_0270 A few more traffic laden miles through the village of Westbury and past the Long Island Expressway (Known as the worlds longest parking lot), I'm finally on good cycling roads of Old Westbury. They are popular roads for cycling clubs with everyone well kitted and carboned out. As I ascend one of the tougher hills, with a 42/28 gear combo, I hear the familiar voice of Barbara C.S., one of those most engaging and enthusiastic triathletes in the area. We exchanged pleasantries as I struggled to speed up and make it a training ride for a few miles while extolling the virtues of Viscount and DFR. I'm know as the guy who likes to ride old bikes. After parting ways and happily keeping up with Barbara's reduced pace, I turned off to Rottkamp Farm. It is like a trip upstate that's 100+ miles away but it's only about 12 miles from home. Best fresh corn on the cob around with an open expansive view that suburban sprawl has left precious little of. IMG_0272 Another 5 or 6 miles away are the horses. Always a nice spot for a break and a visit with this friendly group. Upstate vibe just 15 miles from home. IMG_0275 Continuing along on some of the bigger hills of Chicken Vally Road (thank you for repaving this masterpiece a few years ago!) and then turning north brings me to the hypnotic waterfront on both sides road, Cleff Lane. It reminds me of the Mont Tremblant, Quebec lakefront bike trails, a place of great beauty and natural ambience without the 10 hour drive. IMG_0287 I circle back home, nursing what's left of my Cytomax and legs. I catch a bit of a tailwind and finish my 40 miler in 2:29. Cold chocolate milk and cappuccino ices from local Ralph's ices is waiting and sucked down quickly. Looking forward to reading about your adventurers!
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Post by brianbutler on Jul 12, 2020 18:13:46 GMT
Back from my ride(s). I did an out and back to the north, then after lunch at home a loop to the southwest - 63.4 miles (102 km) total for a metric century. Here I am, ready to head out. I didn't actually wear the Viscount mask but thought I would model it, along with my lockdown haircut, for posterity:
The first ride was on the Aerospace Grand Prix. The best photo opportunities were at Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury Massachusetts. Here are my two submissions for best photo. Obviously working on a wheel theme here.
Here is the only photo I took of the Viscount Sebring, after arriving back home from the second leg:
Both rides with maps and more pictures are recorded on RideWithGPS. I set them both for public access, so hopefully you can see them if you are interested.
Overall, a great ride despite hot humid conditions. Very glad I participated in the virtual DFR8.
Brian
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robt
Viscount
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Post by robt on Jul 12, 2020 18:35:31 GMT
My wife, Anne, my brother, Vaughan and I set out this morning with all good intentions of making a 20-mile trip out of the route to the newly-refurbished Bull's Head in Barston, where we had a table booked for 1:00pm. Anne's bike is the A/S Sport that I bought from eB*y several years ago, and have since had resprayed and fitted with new everything (perhaps I'll post a piece about it on the recently-created "Refurbishment Dilemma' thread if anyone's interested). The only Viscount parts still on it are the frame and forks. In short: 700c wheels with 130mm OLD rear; 8-speed cassette; Shimano STX-RC rapid-fire shifter (right); Stronglight single 44T chainset and YST threadless b/b; MKS Sylvan pedals; Tektro dual-pivot brakes & levers; deep box-section GT stem; 'sit-up' chromed steel handlebars with Ergon grips; Ritchey Headset; SKS chromoplastic mudguards; and a cushioned and sprung ladies' saddle. It certainly isn't one to impress the originality purists, but Anne's very happy to ride it with me, and that's what counts. Vaughan was on the A/S Victor fitted with the smooth-changing IRD 6-speed freewheel, as recently discussed, along with the new bottom bracket bearings that I fitted following my repeated re-tightening of the 17/32" left crank bolt during my solo DFR7 ride to Bilston in September last year. Generally it has all its original Viscount bits, as bought for £43 (inc.postage) on eB*y a few years back, but tidied up here and there. More news of the crank bolt later... I was on my 'one-owner from new' 1976 Sebring, also re-sprayed and 'sympathetically restored' with; a Lambert 'Porthole' chainset converted to a triple; Nitto Randonneur handlebars; a Brooks Professional saddle; and re-built 27" wheels. IMG_1129 by RMT@261, on Flickr All went well until just after our first photo-call at Packwood House. IMG_1126 by RMT@261, on Flickr About a mile down the road, Vaughan complained of a looseness and clunking from the aforementioned left side crank, swiftly followed by the sudden departure of said crank and its fastening bolt. On investigation, it appears that a combination of last year's 26 mile ride to Bilston with a loose crank, and the stresses and strains of re-fitting the b/b spindle and bearings has done for the crank bolt. A call to my daughter soon had the 17/32" socket and a ratchet on its way to us, and we tried to soldier on our way with increasingly frequent re-tightenings of the bolt. After about half a dozen more tightenings, we decided to cut our ride short and headed back home, from where we drove to the Bull's Head and enjoyed a splendid al-fresco lunch. 6EC0F0AB-126E-408A-8008-2DC26E0AA455 by RMT@261, on Flickr So, just 6.34 miles ridden , but we had a good day out in beautiful weather, so many thanks to whoever suggested the Virtual DFR. It was good to be riding with you all in spirit while it lasted. Screen Shot 2020-07-12 at 19.32.15 by RMT@261, on Flickr Best wishes, RobT.
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Post by franco on Jul 12, 2020 18:43:50 GMT
It is my escape from the stresses of work, congestion, anxiety and everything that goes along with living in the covid19 world. My Viscount bikes reconnect me to a simpler time and are a tangible physical part of my past. Riding a 40+ year old bike is like subtracting 40+ years from my age. It's my fountain of youth. Glad to participate in our first virtual and international DFR with a great group of like minded folks. Well said, could not have put it better myself! Great pictures from you and Brian and that’s some serious mileage between you both.
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Jul 12, 2020 19:20:52 GMT
I was eagerly anticipating reading some other DFR stories, and I wasn't disappointed -I've enjoyed reading other posts and looking at the photo's almost as much as going on the ride myself. They really give a sense of the area and the day.
Michael, if Barbara had to slow down to a comfortable speed to ride with you (and you were doing , what..16-18mph), she must be some serious athlete? Wow. I loved reading your 'travelogue' . It looks so rural but I always think of you as fairly 'city' based? Great to have such rides on your doorstep! Superb photos that capture the essence of your day
Brian, loving that mask!, Loving the wheeled themed pics too. Thanks for the write up. Impressive distance too.
Rob - does Vaughn always take the Victor out on the DFR's? I had a bit of a flashback to a path on that Warwick ride when he had a crank issue?. That was nice of you to get a perfect fit for Anne's bike. I think even a purist would forgive that! Sorry to to hear you didn't get the ride you'd set out for , but it looks like you had a lovely day out! Best wishes to Anne and Vaughn from me.
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robt
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Post by robt on Jul 12, 2020 20:00:36 GMT
does Vaughn always take the Victor out on the DFR's? I had a bit of a flashback to a path on that Warwick ride when he had a crank issue?. I really should stop palming Vaughan off with my least maintained Viscounts for the DFR's, shouldn't I? I think that it was his freewheel that failed in Warwick, when Anne brought us out a spare wheel. Vaughan prefers a flat-barred bike, or I'd have put him on the gold A/S Grand Sport that you and Sprockit found for me in 2015, which doesn't currently get the use that its fine, original, condition deserves. Viscount Grand Sport by RMT@261, on Flickr Until very recently, Vaughan was the keeper of a blue A/S GS, pictured below alongside the Victor, but we've passed that on to my 24-year old neighbour Tom, who I'm hoping will one day join us here and significantly reduce the average age of the forum members. IMG_4480 by RMT@261, on Flickr The flat bars were Vaughan's preference, but I've refitted drop bars for Tom, who plans to use the GS to commute in and out of Birmingham. I think that I now need to bite the bullet with the Victor and take the hacksaw and Dremel to the protruding tubes in the b/b shell to allow me to fit a threadless b/b and new crank bolts. Watch this space... Thanks to everyone for their terrific write-ups and photos from today's DFR.
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Post by lighthousejim on Jul 12, 2020 20:24:50 GMT
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Post by franco on Jul 12, 2020 21:21:20 GMT
Great pictures Jim. Your wife looks happy on the Viscount Mixte Nice Claud Butler btw, they made some lovely bikes back in the day.
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Post by lighthousejim on Jul 12, 2020 21:39:45 GMT
Thanks Franco. The Claud Butler was my Dad's retirement present to himself in 1983, and I inherited it when he stopped riding. Finding it so much nicer and easier to ride than my aluminium framed MTB was what started the hunt for a similar vintage steel-framed bike for my wife. We struck lucky on FB Marketplace and I've been reading up on Viscounts since, while making sure it was fit to ride. Today was the first significant ride and both bikes performed faultlessly.
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Post by seanick on Jul 12, 2020 22:33:38 GMT
Really enjoyed everyones DFR reports. Thanks for posting them and pics too. We had a great spin down in Hampshire. I enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing their bikes too. All my pics are on the Viscount Facebook page. We did a family ride today, and I had a puncture. This caused me to look carefully at the new tyre, which in one place was splitting open. I realize now if it says max pressure 55psi then taking it up to 80psi was a mistake!! Ah well, live and learn!
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Post by triitout on Jul 12, 2020 23:52:57 GMT
The day was still young, so off I go on my around the neighborhood 10 mile ride before dinner. Being it's a DFR, I felt I should ride a DF Viscount. Two left with DF's so I picked the Frankenbike GP. It's been an interesting build to make a 21 1/2" frame rideable when my normal ride is 56/58 cm, or 23 1/2". To me, these neighborhood rides are reminiscent of my days growing up and only riding "around the block" in Flushing, NY. It's nice and low pressure and a chance to see people out walking and kids playing, and now with covid, plenty of all ages riding their old and new bikes. Nothing hard core. Here's a look down the block as I set out. IMG_0290 So many great reads and photos. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyones stories and Viscounts. A very fine first virtual DFR!
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Post by triitout on Jul 13, 2020 0:05:57 GMT
I was eagerly anticipating reading some other DFR stories, and I wasn't disappointed -I've enjoyed reading other posts and looking at the photo's almost as much as going on the ride myself. They really give a sense of the area and the day. Michael, if Barbara had to slow down to a comfortable speed to ride with you (and you were doing , what..16-18mph), she must be some serious athlete? Wow. I loved reading your 'travelogue' . It looks so rural but I always think of you as fairly 'city' based? Great to have such rides on your doorstep! Superb photos that capture the essence of your day Brian, loving that mask!, Loving the wheeled themed pics too. Thanks for the write up. Impressive distance too. Rob - does Vaughn always take the Victor out on the DFR's? I had a bit of a flashback to a path on that Warwick ride when he had a crank issue?. That was nice of you to get a perfect fit for Anne's bike. I think even a purist would forgive that! Sorry to to hear you didn't get the ride you'd set out for , but it looks like you had a lovely day out! Best wishes to Anne and Vaughn from me. Jem, While Barbara is an impressive athlete with multiple Kona World Championship Ironman triathlons under her belt, what makes her special is her big heart, supportive enthusiasm and civic minded activities. Every community could use a Barbara! Brian, I'm glad the mask turned out well. Thank you for suggesting it! Impressive rides today and I like your taste in outfitting the Aerospace GP
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DFR8
Jul 13, 2020 9:10:06 GMT
Post by cusqueno on Jul 13, 2020 9:10:06 GMT
[...] I had many flash back moments to the DFR we did on these roads. Here's but a few...As I rode the lane past a farm where they kept dairy cattle I recalled the very sorry tale of Velocipete getting cow muck splatter up from his back wheel , all up his favourite cycling shorts (which stained and I don't think came out). [...] This reminded me of Stoatie who had some trouble with his tubs on his Aerospace as soon as we set off from the camp site in Rolleston. And the only other puncture that I could recall was Scott on the very first one in the blistering heat. Also some echoes during our ride in the south - I had to recount the story of the over-flowing slurry pit as we rode round Bosham (pronounced Bozzam locally) harbour, where the sea brings a load of mud and weed over the path. Luckily there's a slightly higher, dry path. And I got a puncture in my new rear tub, fortunately within sight of a pub. I was therefore able to entertain the others with changing a tub over pints of cider and lunch.
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Post by dracco on Jul 13, 2020 17:34:27 GMT
OK. Here's an account of my DFR8 ride. First, it was an ideal day for it. I'd been out for a short ride onSaturday, when the temperature was about 15 degrees, but with a stiff Yorkshire breeze from the Northwest. Sunday dawned with the local temperature being about 8 degrees (or that's what Mrs. D told me when she got back from her early morning run). I didn't set off until about 10.45, by which time it was a much more balmy 17 degrees, with no wind to speak of. Still a bit cloudy, but a good day for a ride. To start with, here's a map of the route. I'm not a Strava-striver, so this is plotted on Google maps. I live in a village just to the South of Harrogate, and my routetook into Knaresborough, and then along the bank of the River Nidd on the Waterside a popular walk/ride that runs below the Knaresborough Castle rock. Leaving Knaresborough on the Boroughbridge road, I soon forked off through Farnham and towards Ripon along the country lanes. A quick photo-stop at Copgrove shows my bike resting against the parapet of a low bride over the Robert Beck, with a fine view across the lake to Copgrove Hall, a large racehorse stud farm. From here it's about another half-hour to Ripon, a small cathedral city with a large marketplace dominated by the Hornblower's obelisk
The Ripon Horn is the instrument of the Hornblower, or city watchman (known as the Wakeman, locally) who also doubles as a town crier. If you zoom in (as far as resolution allows) you can just see the horn onthe top of the obelisk. From Ripon it's a relatively short distance to Fountains Abbey - a world heritage site, surrounded by the Studley Royal Deer Park, which has the small village (basically a street of cottages) of Studley Roger within it. If you didn't believe it when I said this was a real name, here's the proof: From here, there's a long very straight road about a kilometre long running the length of the park, which is pretty much uphill all the way: most of the time it's not much steeper than about 3 degrees, but it ramps up to about 6 degrees for the last quarter. - Incidentally, in Studley Roger there's a B & B that caters specifically for walkers and cyclists, and which goes under the name of "Jelleylegs" (the owner's surname is Jelley). Google it. I wasn't allowed to take my bike into the grounds of Fountains Abbey (the National Trust don't seem to like cycklists very much, although this was apparently on the grounds of "social distancing" - I always think that riding a bike pretty much automatically confers distancing on one, but there we go: rules is rules and so I don't have a picture of the Abbey ruins (it was "privatised" by Henry VIII) to show you. Here's a photo of St. Mary's Church, at thetop end of the deer park, instead. Fountains represented the outermost limit of the ride, the rest was the return journey. So after a short stop to refuel, I carried on around the West entrance to the Abbey site, and then immediately up How Hill - a respectable climb, although as you'll shortly discover, not a very respectable hill. Actually, while it's pretty steep at the bottom of the hill, and again at the top of the hill, it's mostly comprised of short steepish ramps of aboust 10%, interspersed with flatter sections (and even some downhill stretches) that help your legs to recover. OK, so wha's not respectable about How Hill? Well, at the summit of the hill (and fortunately accessible only on foot) there stands How Hill Tower: That's it at the top: the ecclesiastical-looking building. Well, it's not not a church, although it was apparently built on the site of the Chapel of St. Michael de Monte. If the tower itself was ever used as a church is doubtful. Apparently it was built by the local chancer who obtained the Fountains Abbey estate after the dissolution of the monasteries, and he built it as a part of his Studley Park. It was either as a folly and focal point of the landscape, or for (so it's said) for "other purposes". Historic records suggest it was a gaming house at one time, and it was used for entertaining local ladies of easy virtue by the owner and his cronies as a sort of Yorksire version of the Hellfire club (come to think of it, it might be how Studley Roger got its name).
The road around How Hill joins the main Pateley Bridge/Ripley road, and it's a short clip into Ripley Castle and its attendant village. The "castle" is really more of a moated manor house, but the village is well conserved and there's a shop that sells the (apparently famous) Ripley Castle ice cream: it's OK, but it's a soft ice-cram that gets expelled from the nozzle of a stainles steel machine, and ther are better North Yorkshire dairy products available, in my opinion, so I didn't buy one (also there was a long queue outside: by this time it it was about 21 degrees and really quite sunny) Instead of an ice-cream, I had a banana instead: From Ripley, you can cycle off-road into Harrogate on the Nidderdale Greenway, a part of National Cycle Route 67. Essentially, this is a disused railway line that's been tarmaced over, and it runs through the Nidd gorge providing a popular area for cyclists, runners, and families with kids. It's quite tricky to navigate on a fine weekend, as the small kids on little bikes with stabilisers and helmets that seem too large for their heads have a habit of darting off at unexpected angles. Still, I haven't hit one yet. So, as you'll see from the route map, the distance was a touch under 55K (34 miles) and the whole trip took me about 4 hours (with refreshment stops and photo shoots).
As you can see, Yorkshire behaved itself this weekend, and the county is looking its best, right now. Maybe this will persuade some of you that we can run DFR9 up North! (PS You'll notice that I wasn't riding my Blue Corsair Wayfarer, but instead a Pro rebuilt from a frame that was very kindly given to me by Scott Williams after we met up at the Sheffield Bike Jumble in 2018. - I'll post about this in one of the other sections of the forum).
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