Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 8, 2015 13:55:09 GMT
Now a date is in the diary, shall we try and agree on a venue/route?
20-25 miles, pub stop half way, fairly flat with a few hills...maybe a shorter one and/or place to sit & chat for those who just wish to attend to see bikes etc?
I am happy to try and make some arrangements, but also happy to travel anywhere.
Ideas/suggestions appreciated.
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Post by whippet on Feb 8, 2015 17:42:58 GMT
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 8, 2015 18:28:11 GMT
Logistically, numbers wise, we have Sprockit, Scott, Goldie,Bustaste and Indeboat (if he is coming) who are north of me. And Rod and his friend from West Mids. For southern based folk, Wiltshire might be easier (?) - but to be fair to the more northern members that I mention above, they are the ones that will have quite a long journey to do in one day.
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Post by whippet on Feb 8, 2015 18:38:10 GMT
Quite agree. Happy to do Midlands or further north. Basically, I'll be happy anywhere.
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Post by velocipete on Feb 8, 2015 19:15:42 GMT
Now Jem has remembered the route that avoids the cow exhaust,I'm happy to use the same base. Cheers, Pete.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 8, 2015 19:34:56 GMT
I just sent an enquiry to Scout camp site to see if they have availability for whole site again, as last year.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 8, 2015 19:44:48 GMT
They have a Scout event on that weekend...will put my thinking cap on
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Post by theformeremployee on Feb 14, 2015 23:47:09 GMT
If the 11th July is written in stone, then I will try to bring Peter Britton out. He (and I) were the 'other' export people at Bilston, selling bikes all over the place. Peter has suffered recently with the loss of his wife and one daughter plus his other daughter was nearly killed in a freak accident not long ago. Never the less, he's a living link to Viscount you might like to chat to. He lives SE of Birmingham and I can chauffeur him. So, Midlands would be nice ! We really ought to get Mick Ives out, the development engineer, at the same time as Peter and I were active. I'll nag him.
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Post by Stella on Feb 15, 2015 12:01:04 GMT
If the 11th July is written in stone, then I will try to bring Peter Britton out. He (and I) were the 'other' export people at Bilston, selling bikes all over the place. Peter has suffered recently with the loss of his wife and one daughter plus his other daughter was nearly killed in a freak accident not long ago. Never the less, he's a living link to Viscount you might like to chat to. He lives SE of Birmingham and I can chauffeur him. So, Midlands would be nice ! We really ought to get Mick Ives out, the development engineer, at the same time as Peter and I were active. I'll nag him. I think I just wet myself! It would be absolutely AWESOME if you could make that happen, and I think I'm speaking for everyone on here. What an honour to have some ex-employees around to chat to, and to share our passion about this bikes. Jem: such a shame they have this Scount weekend on. I'm sure you'll find a different solution. Thank you for taking it into your hands again. Much appreciated.
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Post by whippet on Feb 15, 2015 14:02:18 GMT
How about considering to the west of Birmingham? May be quieter / have nicer countryside.
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Post by velocipete on Feb 15, 2015 17:14:27 GMT
Shropshire is great cycling country,if you don't mind hills. Also marvelous scenery etc. Lower still gearing may be required for me! Cheers, Pete.
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Post by Stella on Feb 16, 2015 11:29:49 GMT
This all is so great, I finally get to experience England (and hopefully the whole of UK) due to our annual get togethers in different locations. Ahhhh, bliss.
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Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 16, 2015 20:12:24 GMT
If the 11th July is written in stone, then I will try to bring Peter Britton out. He (and I) were the 'other' export people at Bilston, selling bikes all over the place. Peter has suffered recently with the loss of his wife and one daughter plus his other daughter was nearly killed in a freak accident not long ago. Never the less, he's a living link to Viscount you might like to chat to. He lives SE of Birmingham and I can chauffeur him. So, Midlands would be nice ! We really ought to get Mick Ives out, the development engineer, at the same time as Peter and I were active. I'll nag him. Well , that really would be something... fingers crossed. You do realise we would have an overwhelming amount of questions though...?
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Post by velocipete on Feb 16, 2015 21:09:16 GMT
Best bring a recorder Jem,words from the horses mouth are worth far more than conjecture. It would be great to see some old hands.Who knows what they may find in their sheds before the great day? Cheers, Pete.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 17, 2015 17:03:18 GMT
So, does anyone have experience of countryside in that area? What are road/rail links like for those coming from further afield?
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Post by scottw on Feb 17, 2015 18:45:38 GMT
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Feb 17, 2015 19:02:48 GMT
Those are great little PDF's! I have actually been around Much Wenlock, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry, but not on my bike. All very pretty though.
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Post by velocipete on Feb 17, 2015 19:13:03 GMT
I stayed at the YHA hostel in Clun sometime at the end of the '70's.Enjoyed the rides in the area, even onto the Long Mynd,mostly pushing the old gaspipe tandem up the bigger hills.It can be a bit challenging for older folk,as I said earlier,lower gears required,but,The Three Tunns in Bishop's Castle is worth the effort.It's got it's own brewery on site. The railway main line isn't so far away from the area,but,obviously easier by car. Looking forward to seeing you all,where ever! Cheers, Pete.
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Post by cusqueno on Feb 17, 2015 21:22:48 GMT
I have stayed in this area, but a long time ago. Then there were (IIRC) only six home brew pubs in the entire country and I think three or more were in Shropshire. It's likely to bring on a nasty outbreak of the Housmans though: '... And Clun are the loveliest places under the sun'. Or something like that. I couldn't find my copy of A Shropshire Lad just now.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Mar 7, 2015 11:34:31 GMT
I just posted a reminder for DFR3 over on CTC Viscount thread.
Has anyone had any more ideas on narrowing down venue?
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Post by lewisg on Mar 12, 2015 21:09:02 GMT
Such a shame that last year's venue is out - I'd have been very happy to do the same again. If Cath decides to drive and I don't cadge a lift with Matt I don't think we could travel much further and Midlands is perfect for other visiting to help justify it to her! That said I'm happy with wherever. ?
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Post by whippet on Mar 13, 2015 19:28:51 GMT
Jem, how about that caravan and camping club site at Cannock Chase from DFR1?
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Mar 14, 2015 15:14:59 GMT
Jem, how about that caravan and camping club site at Cannock Chase from DFR1? Kev - they seemed pretty booked up , even weeks before, for DFR1 and I only just squeezed in (if you recall we were on a tight little spot without much elbow room?). Also, I think it was about £22 a night? Also worth considering - the guy got very stressed when I asked him if the shop was open for an ice cream at 7.04pm ( read next bit in a condescending style with hands on hips and small man in a uniform attitude, and rolling eyes.... "when quite clearly it says on the sign and literature that the shop closes at 7.00pm, we've got lives to lead to you know, we can't stay open all night" makes me think he might not cope with a few few folks on bikes.
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Post by whippet on Mar 15, 2015 18:07:02 GMT
Trouble is, it's just luck of the draw as to what the sites employees will be like. No doubt they'll be different ones this year. This is a problem we'd get at all sites. We can't use caravan club as they don't do tents + think we should be in the Midlands, especially if that's where the ex Viscount employee's live who want to visit.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Mar 15, 2015 20:12:06 GMT
Maybe we should pick the location for the ride then ask over on CTC for riders with local knowledge and ask about camp sites/YHA's in the region? Or conversely find a decent camp site/yha round there that is reasonable and then ask for routes? If people can tell me roughly what area we are looking at, then I will get on to it.
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Post by velocipete on Mar 16, 2015 7:34:54 GMT
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Mar 17, 2015 21:02:33 GMT
Thanks for this Pete - just skimmed a few and none seem to take tents. I am sure it will come together in time.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,376
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Post by Jem on Mar 22, 2015 16:55:58 GMT
Hi all - I have just been out for lunch and looked at a camp site with some great cycling roads round about it (and surprisingly very few hills). It is not far from Lichfield and therefore not that many miles from DFR1 meeting point. Good news - £5 per night, very quiet, with great farm shop/cafe within 200 metres walking distance. I have to drop the owner an email though because they normally don't take tents, but the person that I spoke to thought that if we booked whole site, then tents wouldn't be a problem. So, not South East of B/ham as we discussed...but ideal in most other respects (if the manager agrees to our requirements, and it's available) Any thoughts appreciated
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Post by sprockit on Mar 22, 2015 20:50:42 GMT
Manager agreement to tents and availability pending - sounds fine to me Jem.
Thank you for your efforts.
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Post by whippet on Mar 23, 2015 7:56:48 GMT
Is there electric / a WC?
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