The Beacon Message Board

A provisional plan has now been added further down the thread.

As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, I'll be leading a vintage club run on Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August. This is a club run that you're encouraged to do on a vintage bike. Detailed plans will be shared later in the summer. There will be scope for adaptation to suit participants, but the general idea is as follows:

- A short basic distance (e.g. 25-30 miles) with the option for extension
- C run pace, certainly on the basic ride
- Starting point outside town (e.g. Tardebigge), but option to start from the BH
- Café stop and photo shoot
- No strict rules on what is or isn't 'vintage'

Feedback of any kind welcome.

We have a good number of people now interested, so we may divide up and ride in two or more groups. Details to be worked out later. Current list of possible participants:
George Barker
Dave Hughes
Dave Cole
Dave Cox
Anne Hughes
Gavin Giles
Keith Adcock
Chris Hudson
Matt Hale
Stuart White
Phil Richards
Si Walker
Pat McCabe
Andy Wrightson
Rob Hidderley
Andy Terry
Phil Gameson
Vince Tennant
Clare (not Tennant)

Riding independently:
Tony Webb
Jane Herrin

I have a vintage bicycle (by my age anyway) that is currently in bits and a project I've been meaning to get round to, this might be the perfect kick up the bum I need.
Consider my response as tentatively interested.

Consider yourself kicked up the bum, Stu. It would be great to have you along.

I've edited the initial post to offer more possible dates, because one interested party can't do the date I originally suggested. When replying, please say which dates you can/can't do. Thanks!

I'd be keen George, but can only make the August dates.

I have a 1995 lilac, 7-speed Claude Butler that deserves to see the light of day again!

I'll watch with interest. I certainly come under the banner of "Vintage" but whether I get a bike of similar ilk is debateable. I'd like to try.

Combining the feedback above with the feedback I've had via the Facebook group, it looks as if there will definitely be enough support to make this run viable. Most people prefer August and one person has expressed a wish to avoid 1 August. So Monday 30 August is the date!

That will also give Dave Hughes less chance to cry off by saying his bike isn't ready.

OK George I'll be up for that on my 1980s Carlton Eroica bike steel is real (not so sure about the steel wheels !)

Dave Cox wrote: ↑

29 May 2021 11:13

OK George I'll be up for that on my 1980s Carlton Eroica bike steel is real (not so sure about the steel wheels !)

Great!

I've updated the initial post in line with feedback.

Hello George
I don't have a vintage bike anymore but I have a 3 wheeled recumbent and wandering if I came along on that instead

Andy W wrote: ↑

03 Jun 2021 17:35

Hello George
I don't have a vintage bike anymore but I have a 3 wheeled recumbent and wandering if I came along on that instead

Andy, there are no eligibility rules. Ride anything that you think fits the vibe.

George,

That sounds like my kind of thing, I'll dig out my 80's Mercian that I rode on my first Beacon Club runs all those years ago!! (Will have to travel down though as no longer living nearby!).

Rob

It'll be great to see you after so long, Rob.

Expressions of interest are now up to eighteen. Even allowing for the possibility that a few can't make it on the day, it looks as if we'll almost certainly have to divide into two, possibly even three, groups on the road. I'll be looking into venues that can accommodate us all closer to the time. Looks like being a good day, weather and Covid permitting.

George, please add me to the list. (1990 Holdsworth)

Andy Terry wrote: ↑

18 Jul 2021 20:17

George, please add me to the list. (1990 Holdsworth)

Done. Apologies for the delay... been too preoccupied with other stuff to visit MB for a week.

George,

My 1989 Reynolds 653 framed bike and I would like to be included please.

I would be grateful for a route a couple of weeks in advance as I currently have a rather high bottom gear (42 x 18) which could probably be swapped if absolutely necessary.

Gutted to miss this bit Simon Turner and I are off doing Lon Las Cymry that weekend.

PhilG wrote: ↑

26 Jul 2021 20:16

George,

My 1989 Reynolds 653 framed bike and I would like to be included please.

I would be grateful for a route a couple of weeks in advance as I currently have a rather high bottom gear (42 x 18) which could probably be swapped if absolutely necessary.

Great, you're in!

bikercolin wrote: ↑

05 Aug 2021 19:51

Gutted to miss this bit Simon Turner and I are off doing Lon Las Cymry that weekend.

Enjoy!

Apologies for not doing much on the organisation of this ride for a long time. It's very much on, and I have started thinking about routes. Will hopefully be able to share something soon. Watch this space!

Okay, here's the provisional plan. If anyone sees any flaws in it, please speak up; at this stage things can still be tweaked.

Starting point:
Hollyoaks Lane, Tardebigge, gravel area under the high wall around Hewell Grange Gardens, about 50m from junction with B4184.
If riding out is an option for you, please do so. If coming by car, you may be able to sneakily park in the pub car park (at your own risk!). Altenratively, there is a limited amount of roadside parking a little further down Hollyoaks Lane. Please don't obstruct the entrances to the Gardens or the Bowling Club opposite or park in a way that annoys locals.

Destination:
Churchfields Farm, near Droitwich, where they will be expecting us and outdoor seating will be available.

Route options:
Short option (47km/29mi):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37102740
Long option (70km/43mi):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37102913
Both routes are designed to involve as little climbing as possible. The maximum gradient in less than 8%.

Departure time:
Meet at 09:00 on Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August, for staggered departure in groups from 09:10.

Grouping:
I suggest we limit on-the-road groups to 8 people, setting off a couple of minutes apart, with the slowest group(s) last, to avoid bunching on the road. We currently have 20 expressions of interest, implying two or three groups, depending on drop-outs and late sign-ups. Please let me know if you've expressed an interest, but can't make it after all. I'll lead a group around the long route. Can I have a volunteer to lead a group around the short route, please? Depending on numbers we may need a third group leader, but I suggest leaving that open for now.

Pacing:
The idea is that no one should be dropped. The pace will reflect that. However, I hesitate to put a number on it, because most participants probably aren't sure what a comfortable pace will be on their vintage machines. We'll play it by ear, but I'm guessing anything between about 20kph and 25kph (roughly 12-15mph). That will get us to the café between 10:10 and 10:30.

Mechanicals:
Old bikes that don't get ridden often are more prone to mechanicals than new, everyday bikes. Please try to get out on your vintage bike once or twice before the day to minimise the risk of an issue coming to light on the run itself. I suggest that we should all be willing to wait a few minutes for riders who need to stop and tighten something. However, we can't be stopping repeatedly or for prolonged periods. So everyone needs to take responsibility for a) doing what they can to minimise the risk of mechanicals and b) having an emergency get-home plan in case something serious goes wrong.

Photos:
I think there's bound to be a lot of admiring each other's bikes and a lot of photo-taking. However, I suggest that we try to do that at the café as far as possible. Please assume that the café stop will be on the long side, therefore.

StuartWhite wrote: ↑

28 May 2021 14:31

I have a vintage bicycle (by my age anyway) that is currently in bits and a project I've been meaning to get round to, this might be the perfect kick up the bum I need.
Consider my response as tentatively interested.

You think you've got problems I've got a bike thats the same age as me

Still up for this! better get polishing .

Can you add my name please ? I have a normal
Road bike though

I wonder if there would be any takers for an earlier start, doing the long route reversed.

If it's not too late to join the fun please can I tag along too?

The bike may not be all that vintage but it's fixed gear so it sort of meets the brief.

Cheers

Mark

I suggest we limit on-the-road groups to 8 people, setting off a couple of minutes apart, with the slowest group(s) last, to avoid bunching on the road. We currently have 20 expressions of interest, implying two or three groups, depending on drop-outs and late sign-ups. Please let me know if you've expressed an interest, but can't make it after all. I'll lead a group around the long route. Can I have a volunteer to lead a group around the short route, please? Depending on numbers we may need a third group leader, but I suggest leaving that open for now.

George
I will be doing the short ride and I am happy to lead at a fairly slow pace 12 mph with maybe walking up any steep hills
Dave

I think it's OK at the moment, but in wet conditions the Shell Ford bridge crossing gets very messy.

myself and Clare will join you on the tandem-Vince

David Cole wrote: ↑

24 Aug 2021 20:22

George
I will be doing the short ride and I am happy to lead at a fairly slow pace 12 mph with maybe walking up any steep hills
Dave

Thanks, Dave.

Andy Terry wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021 16:21

I think it's OK at the moment, but in wet conditions the Shell Ford bridge crossing gets very messy.

Thanks, Andy. It's a few weeks since I crossed there, but it's been dry recently, so I think the footbridge will be okay. If anyone's unhappy about crossing there, we can always continue to Himbolton, turn right and right again. Only adds about 2km. You could also go across via the Jinny Ring and avoid the whole section around Stock Green and Shell Ford, but that would shorten an already short ride by something like 5km, and add a short climb, so I wouldn't be so keen on that solution myself.

jamesla61771 wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021 18:30

myself and Clare will join you on the tandem-Vince

Look forward to seeing you both.

REMINDER!

Will anyone who expressed an interest but can't now come please let me know, so that I can give the café an accurate estimate of our numbers in the next day or two.

Thanks!

George wrote: ↑

26 Aug 2021 10:57

Andy Terry wrote: ↑

25 Aug 2021 16:21

I think it's OK at the moment, but in wet conditions the Shell Ford bridge crossing gets very messy.

Thanks, Andy. It's a few weeks since I crossed there, but it's been dry recently, so I think the footbridge will be okay. If anyone's unhappy about crossing there, we can always continue to Himbolton, turn right and right again. Only adds about 2km. You could also go across via the Jinny Ring and avoid the whole section around Stock Green and Shell Ford, but that would shorten an already short ride by something like 5km, and add a short climb, so I wouldn't be so keen on that solution myself.

Yes, when it's wet I go via Himbleton.

Sorry George I won’t be able to go now

Hi George
Tony and Jane are riding directly to Churchfields from home and Bob and Carole Green are going by car
Dave

I’m going to have to drop out. Can’t resolve some bike issues in time. Hope it goes well - look forward to seeing pictures. Euge.

Mariana278 wrote: ↑

29 Aug 2021 06:49

Sorry George I won’t be able to go now

Thanks for letting me know; see you another time.

David Cole wrote: ↑

29 Aug 2021 09:36

Hi George
Tony and Jane are riding directly to Churchfields from home and Bob and Carole Green are going by car
Dave

Thanks, Dave.

Euge wrote: ↑

29 Aug 2021 19:12

I’m going to have to drop out. Can’t resolve some bike issues in time. Hope it goes well - look forward to seeing pictures. Euge.

Sorry to hear that, Eugene. We'll just to organise another one next year now.

In recent days, I've come down with a filthy cold (courtesy of my recently un-locked-down clubbing daughter). Although I feel quite capable of doing a slow three-hour ride, I don't think it would be responsible to potentially pass on this virus to everyone else tomorrow -- particularly since the people who have put their names down include one or two who are vulnerable to respiratory infections.

Dave Cole was already down to lead the short ride, and this evening I've arranged with Si Walker to lead the longer ride.

I'm a bit pissed off about this turn of events, but it can't be helped. I hope you all have a great get-together and I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Sorry all, now can’t make tomorrow due to family stuff. Have a great ride!

I'll have to drop out too, apologies as was looking forward to this. Hope it's a good day out

Just to note: Card or contactless payments only at the Cafe i.e. NO Cash

On the Beacon 75th Anniversary club run today were

Dave Cole (short-run leader)
Si Walker (long run leader)
Dave Cox
Keith Adcock
Phil Richards
Andy Wrightson
Rob Hidderley
Andy Terry
Phil Gameson
Vince Tennant
Clare
Tony Webb
Jane Herrin
Bob and Carole Green met us at the cafe.

Thanks for organising this George. Sorry you couldn't be there and hope you fell better soon

Beacon Vintage Bike Ride photos.

See the link below, feel free to copy, an acknowledgement would be appreciated.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtuCGY3SozJwmyVVTRe ... j?e=Wkew6t

Very enjoyable ride. Many thanks to George for organising and Dave and Si for leading. Sorry to hear about your cold George. We must do it again next year. The old bike is surprisingly enjoyable to ride I might be using it all week !!

Great event although I was pedaling
squares by the end. Nice to be on a Club run again