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Post by Stella on Apr 18, 2014 20:55:25 GMT
Just wanted to say that I'm really, really sad that those from overseas can't come. I'd love to have you guys here, too. I'll have a drink (or two) on you, so you'll definitely be there in spirit. :-)
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Post by lewisg on Apr 19, 2014 1:52:15 GMT
Woo Hoo!!!!
Thanks Jem!
I really can't wait for this having missed DFR1. The two of us should be there from friday afternoon (camping fri/sat) although need to get our plans together. I'm still trying to convince Catherine to come on the ride!
Will be bringing the Pro and hopefully a 'fully restored' Baby V for people to have a go on!
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Post by triitout on Apr 19, 2014 3:22:18 GMT
Just wanted to say that I'm really, really sad that those from overseas can't come. I'd love to have you guys here, too. I'll have a drink (or two) on you, so you'll definitely be there in spirit. :-) Yes, I will definitely be there in spirit, and just as I did last year, I'll be doing the DFR2 solo ride. DFR2 for one has a nice ring to it. I'll probably give each one a few miles since it will be hard to choose. I'm just happy to be part of this wonderful group and forum, even though it's from a distance and I wish you guys a great time and perfect weather.
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Post by Stella on Apr 20, 2014 17:34:55 GMT
Could someone please shed some light on this for me? As you probably know by now, I'm rather disorientated and confused when it comes to directions. Not too familiar with the UK, I'm afraid, as I've not yet travelled out of London. Shame on me, I know. So with the mishap of my booking the wrong tickets and then the right ones, and then looking up SOT and BOT to see where they are, and finding out that both don't seem too far apart, I thought I could take the original train to SOT and cycle to the campside, but it shows me three hours. Looking at the map, it doesn't occur true to me.
So, can anyone please help me out here: how far(and easy) would it be to cycle from Stoke-On-Trent to the campsite?
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,385
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Post by Jem on Apr 20, 2014 17:45:13 GMT
Could someone please shed some light on this for me? As you probably know by now, I'm rather disorientated and confused when it comes to directions. Not too familiar with the UK, I'm afraid, as I've not yet travelled out of London. Shame on me, I know. So with the mishap of my booking the wrong tickets and then the right ones, and then looking up SOT and BOT to see where they are, and finding out that both don't seem too far apart, I thought I could take the original train to SOT and cycle to the campside, but it shows me three hours. Looking at the map, it doesn't occur true to me. So, can anyone please help me out here: how far(and easy) would it be to cycle from Stoke-On-Trent to the campsite? Hi Stella, Yes, it could be almost 3 hrs bike ride from Stoke on Trent train station to Burton on Trent. Can I suggest you look at the idea of getting off in Derby (with that Stoke ticket) and then getting on a cross country (smaller) train and boarding a train to Stoke but one that stops at Tutbury and Hatton. The reason I suggest this is knowing that a fast train from London will not stop at Tutbury and Hatton unless I am very much mistaken. But it is on that same line. If you tell me your train/times/train line and where it's headed, i can work out your best options. Mail me if you want.No problem NOTE- Tutbury & Hatton is 10 mins ride away from site and start of rally
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Post by Stella on Apr 20, 2014 17:58:39 GMT
Could someone please shed some light on this for me? As you probably know by now, I'm rather disorientated and confused when it comes to directions. Not too familiar with the UK, I'm afraid, as I've not yet travelled out of London. Shame on me, I know. So with the mishap of my booking the wrong tickets and then the right ones, and then looking up SOT and BOT to see where they are, and finding out that both don't seem too far apart, I thought I could take the original train to SOT and cycle to the campside, but it shows me three hours. Looking at the map, it doesn't occur true to me. So, can anyone please help me out here: how far(and easy) would it be to cycle from Stoke-On-Trent to the campsite? Hi Stella, Yes, it could be almost 3 hrs bike ride from Stoke on Trent train station to Burton on Trent. Can I suggest you look at the idea of getting off in Derby (with that Stoke ticket) and then getting on a cross country (smaller) train and boarding a train to Stoke but one that stops at Tutbury and Hatton. The reason I suggest this is knowing that a fast train from London will not stop at Tutbury and Hatton unless I am very much mistaken. But it is on that same line. If you tell me your train/times/train line and where it's headed, i can work out your best options. Mail me if you want.No problem NOTE- Tutbury & Hatton is 10 mins ride away from site and start of rally Thank you. Then I might as well take that train I've booked from London to Burton-On-Trent. Unfortunately with two changes. Annoying, but I really don't want to spend more money and rather buy a beer instead. :-) I have tickets to Burton-On-Trent now, just thought it may be easy peasy to just ride from there, but I fear that if I ride through the countryside for over three hours before the ride, I'll crawl into my tent and whine while you're out and about. lol That was not the plan.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,385
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Post by Jem on Apr 20, 2014 18:37:55 GMT
Where are the changes on the BoT train journey, and what was the 'alternate' route to SoT?
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Post by Stella on Apr 20, 2014 21:20:57 GMT
Can't remember the other one, but the first is Rugby, I think. Second, I need to check. Ah, no, Birmingham New Street. No idea which one comes first, though.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,385
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Post by Jem on Apr 22, 2014 17:41:08 GMT
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Post by velocipete on Apr 22, 2014 18:01:24 GMT
The result of the traditional cafe raid! They should make it compulsory to have at least 2 per stage. That would sort the men from the boys. A Viscount rider would have won the tour years ago!!!!Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on Apr 22, 2014 21:16:52 GMT
Love it! He probably has Vodka in the bottles on the handlebar. I see he's injured himself beforehand, difficulties getting on the pedals after all the goodness running down the throat, eh?
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Apr 23, 2014 8:45:18 GMT
Oh dear, I should have been checking in more frequently. Well done for getting this organised. I look forward to seeing you at Rollaston. Not sure as yet whether I will train or drive, trains would need bicycle space booking I think, as they are InterCity or Cross Country services. So less flexibility as compared to London Midland services used last year. Perhaps I should look at travelling to Lichfield again and riding from there! Also not sure if I am day visitor or overnight - needs family permission to stay away, and as I will have been away at L'Eroica the previous weekend I may be pushing my luck. And would also need to think about carrying kit, that might affect how far I want to cycle. So perhaps will hire a van - although daydreaming on train is attractive compared to hammering down the motorway. For booking trains I use East Coast website, they can sell you tickets for anywhere and have good website for showing you what is available, and can book bike space.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Apr 23, 2014 8:50:23 GMT
Can't remember the other one, but the first is Rugby, I think. Second, I need to check. Ah, no, Birmingham New Street. No idea which one comes first, though. If I come by train, this is what I am looking at:
Virgin Trains London Euston, stopping at Watford Junction 07:37, arriving Birmingham New Street 08:45, Train terminates at Birmingham New Street
Cross Country Birmingham New Street 09:03, arriving Burton On Trent 09:26, train continues to Edinburgh
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Post by Stella on Apr 23, 2014 9:51:36 GMT
Can't remember the other one, but the first is Rugby, I think. Second, I need to check. Ah, no, Birmingham New Street. No idea which one comes first, though. If I come by train, this is what I am looking at:
Virgin Trains London Euston, stopping at Watford Junction 07:37, arriving Birmingham New Street 08:45, Train terminates at Birmingham New Street
Cross Country Birmingham New Street 09:03, arriving Burton On Trent 09:26, train continues to Edinburgh I really can't remember anymore as I got so confused with both tickets. Used Redspottedhanky(thanks for the tip, Pete) the second time I booked. Mind, I used to work on the ICE train for years back then in Germany! This is a good example of my being so confused, that's why I'd never go touring by myself, even though I'd really like to. That, and the random panic attacks and dizzy spells I tend to get. If you're somewhere in the wilderness and that happens you're buggered.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Apr 23, 2014 13:05:35 GMT
I have now completely revised my thinking following some messing around on National Rail, so probably coming out of St Pancras to Derby and then train to Tutbury. That gives me much cheaper fares and I only have to book bike on one train. And it is just as quick. Probably won't camp, just have along day out.
I don't think you should beat yourself up about trains Stella, it is very confusing, if I chose to travel from Watford Junction then one of the options is via Stoke. That one is a Euston to Manchester train, then change at Stoke and get train to Tutbury.
Most of the train options take me into London first and then out again. One of the Watford Junction start options told me to go into Euston then go to St Pancras and come out via Derby. (This is not helping, is it!) I have long enjoyed train travel and know that there can be all sorts of peculiar variations for a particular start and end point. And that was before the railways were privatised, which has introduced another whole set of variations on fares and permitted routes.
Just had a dekko at Red Spotted Hanky - yes that is good! Might still book via East Midlands though, as it lets me go into St Pancras and out instead of changing in Luton and Leicester as well as Derby. For same price, or £2 more depending on train time.
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rmw
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Post by rmw on Apr 23, 2014 13:10:48 GMT
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Post by Stella on Apr 23, 2014 14:50:27 GMT
Yeah, English trains are rather confusing. Never seen such a mess in Germany, but there you go.
I've now been able to get the wrong ticket refunded (he made an exception), and booked a train for Friday instead to pick up the bike in Thame. So at least I didn't lose the money. If I go by train or get it here via courier, it wouldn't be much difference.
The 'good luck' was then minimised when I lost a tenner somehow today when quickly dipping into the shops. :-( So odd, I never lose money.
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bendo
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Post by bendo on May 5, 2014 9:11:57 GMT
I was thinking of doing an Aussie DFR2 here in Melbourne but I'll be busy running a seminar on that day to do with my " other" life. It's the annual mid-winter training. However as we're half a day ahead, maybe I could do it on Sunday and still kind of overlap, as it were. I was thinking of dragooning some friends along and they could ride my other Viscounts. We could have four including one on the Spacemaster; that'd be pretty cute! I'll keep you all posted on developments. Just a question: how many pubs should we visit? b
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Post by Stella on May 5, 2014 10:31:15 GMT
Love the idea, Bendo! Please do it and take plenty of pictures. As for the pubs to visit: I think those who've been there last year will be the ones to answer. By the sounds of it, everyone must have been wobbling back into camp, so as many as you can fit. haha.
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Post by stoatie on May 5, 2014 12:00:29 GMT
I was thinking of doing an Aussie DFR2 here in Melbourne but I'll be busy running a seminar on that day to do with my " other" life. It's the annual mid-winter training. However as we're half a day ahead, maybe I could do it on Sunday and still kind of overlap, as it were. I was thinking of dragooning some friends along and they could ride my other Viscounts. We could have four including one on the Spacemaster; that'd be pretty cute! I'll keep you all posted on developments. Just a question: how many pubs should we visit? b n+1 I believe is the right equation
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bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
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Post by bendo on May 5, 2014 13:02:56 GMT
Where n=?
b
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Post by lewisg on May 5, 2014 16:33:11 GMT
All of the pubs Bendo. All of them.
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Post by velocipete on May 5, 2014 19:12:45 GMT
Strangely,in my case I find the bike decides when to turn into a pub. I see Jem's bike has taken it a stage further with a "Bar bag"! Have a great ride,we'll be necking one for you. Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on May 5, 2014 22:34:21 GMT
Your bikes turn into pubs? Now that's something I'd like to see. Magical moments ...
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Post by sprockit on May 5, 2014 22:54:57 GMT
No Stella, the bikes know where the pubs are and they find them for us. It's probably best described as beer divining or a homing instinct - the handlebars start to twitch and suddenly you're heading for a bar!
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Post by velocipete on May 6, 2014 6:32:02 GMT
I think I may have found the cause of all this. The bikes were never fitted with bottle mounts. Therefore,it's the old "cafe raid" principle,but being English,had to be changed to pubs!!! Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on May 6, 2014 7:26:22 GMT
It may have been on purpose, they're English made, after all, so that riding becomes a social event.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,385
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Post by Jem on May 10, 2014 22:12:31 GMT
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Post by whippet on May 10, 2014 22:17:32 GMT
Great effort Jem. Especially like the: 2 wheels 3 pubs 18 miles :-)
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Post by triitout on May 11, 2014 0:58:22 GMT
Mrs triitout and I love the "old" posters. I'd agree with whippet on the 2-3-18 combo. Good job!
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