dnc1
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Our plan was to ride from Crowmarsh Gifford (South Oxfordshire) to Hillingdon Cycle Circuit (West London) on Sunday 25th September, 2022.
We wanted to watch the 'Penny Farthing' racing being staged by the Pickwick Bicycle Club (England's/The world's oldest extant cycling club, founded 1870).
This was only around an 80 mile round trip though, so I realised that I needed to get some more miles in before meeting my two friends at the official start point.
I set off on the singlespeed 1907 'Cycles Morot' early and did a 13 mile loop, it was cold.....
...I then met Francis (left) and Peter (right) in Crowmarsh.
We decided to start here to set off for the racing. I think the item on the cottage wall behind them tells you why we chose this point.....
...we ascended our first hill before heading through Henley-on-Thames and then another big hill out of the town before hitting the relatively flat countryside west of London.
Eventually riding through Windsor and within feet of Windsor Castle before eventually travelling along busy suburban roads and arriving at the Cycle Circuit.
The Circuit is a 1 mile long closed road criterium circuit, lovely smooth tarmac surface with twists turns and undulations; perfect for cycle racing.
Spectators were permitted to ride the course before and between the racing, so I took the opportunity to add another 2 miles to my tally before the races began.
There were two races to watch.
Firstly, a short race for original 'Penny's'. Here are the riders listening to the race marshall before the start.....
...this is what they were racing for, one of the oldest cycling trophies in existence.....
...racers coming through.....
...between the races I was offered the chance to get another 2 miles added on this.....
...for those that don't know, it's an 1898 'Alpha Bantam', singlespeed/fixed gear, with an epicyclic front hub, that equates to a 66 inch gear, despite those little wheels.
It's a very twitchy steering ride, and unlike a 'Penny', it doesn't get more stable as you get up to speed!
The second race was for modern replica 'Penny's' and had a much larger field of entrants.....
...this race was for half an hours duration, plus two laps of the circuit.
Here's the winner, taking the chequered flag.....
We set off for home via a different route, taking us inititally for around 10 miles along the Grand Union Canal.....
...after some hours, including two hours riding in the dark along busy roads I eventually arrived back home. I had to do another little post ride loop on familiar lanes to make up the final mileage.
103+ miles to the good, a little tired, and with a few minor aches.
I've joined the 'Century Club' fellow riders.
I have much respect for all of the other members.
Ride on!
We wanted to watch the 'Penny Farthing' racing being staged by the Pickwick Bicycle Club (England's/The world's oldest extant cycling club, founded 1870).
This was only around an 80 mile round trip though, so I realised that I needed to get some more miles in before meeting my two friends at the official start point.
I set off on the singlespeed 1907 'Cycles Morot' early and did a 13 mile loop, it was cold.....
...I then met Francis (left) and Peter (right) in Crowmarsh.
We decided to start here to set off for the racing. I think the item on the cottage wall behind them tells you why we chose this point.....
...we ascended our first hill before heading through Henley-on-Thames and then another big hill out of the town before hitting the relatively flat countryside west of London.
Eventually riding through Windsor and within feet of Windsor Castle before eventually travelling along busy suburban roads and arriving at the Cycle Circuit.
The Circuit is a 1 mile long closed road criterium circuit, lovely smooth tarmac surface with twists turns and undulations; perfect for cycle racing.
Spectators were permitted to ride the course before and between the racing, so I took the opportunity to add another 2 miles to my tally before the races began.
There were two races to watch.
Firstly, a short race for original 'Penny's'. Here are the riders listening to the race marshall before the start.....
...this is what they were racing for, one of the oldest cycling trophies in existence.....
...racers coming through.....
...between the races I was offered the chance to get another 2 miles added on this.....
...for those that don't know, it's an 1898 'Alpha Bantam', singlespeed/fixed gear, with an epicyclic front hub, that equates to a 66 inch gear, despite those little wheels.
It's a very twitchy steering ride, and unlike a 'Penny', it doesn't get more stable as you get up to speed!
The second race was for modern replica 'Penny's' and had a much larger field of entrants.....
...this race was for half an hours duration, plus two laps of the circuit.
Here's the winner, taking the chequered flag.....
We set off for home via a different route, taking us inititally for around 10 miles along the Grand Union Canal.....
...after some hours, including two hours riding in the dark along busy roads I eventually arrived back home. I had to do another little post ride loop on familiar lanes to make up the final mileage.
103+ miles to the good, a little tired, and with a few minor aches.
I've joined the 'Century Club' fellow riders.
I have much respect for all of the other members.
Ride on!
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