Cotswolds & Oxon Loop

First topic message reminder :

We've been discussing this for a while, but time has come to announce the details of the inaugural ride through the Cotswolds.



Basing ourselves at the Holt Hotel on the crossroads of the B4030 and the A4260 near Steeple Aston. There are other accommodation options available, B&B's from about a mile away and a  camp-site about 4 miles away.
Meet at The Holt from Friday evening for those staying over, those close by who would like to join for the day's ride-out are most welcome and can join us in the hotel car park Saturday morning. Conveniently there is a petrol station opposite the hotel.


The price of the hotel (per person per night)
RO: £35
BB: £40
DBB: £65

bookings please either via this thread or a PM to Ondurin (Raymond). The ride-out is in the planning stages, however getting an idea of how many will be able to make the ride-out will help with the catering choices.


If you could put your names down here, the master list will updated. Questions and discussions are welcome in this thread.

Can those planning on staying over please either PM Ondurin or post here their requirements .. e.g. single/twin/double and for which days Friday and/or Saturday
Those who are close by and would like to join in Saturday evening if you could please let us know here so was can make sure we cater correctly.

Anyone else who'd like to maybe join us, even if you can only manage part of the day with us it'd be great; if you wouldn't mind mentioning that so we can ensure the tea and lunch stops will be able to cater us all.

Hi Steve, sorry but I won't be able to make this after all, as you know BM is the following w/end and the "war dept." is in a threatening mood. As you know I frighten easily.

I had wondered how you were going to get around the War Dept Tez. I wouldn't say you frighten easily, but are wise and know when to concede and when not to. I've been previously badly scarred for incorrectly standing my ground


Thanks for letting me know.

I'm afraid there weren't enough people able to attend for it to be viable in July, can we see if the August date is more attractive.
Apologies to those who who had their names down

Ride date change to 12-14 August.

Please post up if you would like to attend, staying over as well as those able to join in for the ride

Hi Steve,

That is a shame it has had to be postponed to a later date.
Unfortunately the July dates clash with a weekend event I have been booked to attend for some months now. So in short, I have to pull out. Sorry

I'm sure you have run this by Ondurin, but just in case. Mr Ondurin Sir, I'm affraid I shall not be requiring the room I asked you to pen me in for. Perhaps at some future juncture, but sadly not the July alternative.

To those that can and do make the new ride date, have a great time and ride safe

Cheers
Tel

It's mid August Tel that it's been moved too, not July.

I'm at the Edinburgh Tattoo that weekend so I'll not be down for sure. Sorry about that.

Robcat wrote:It's mid August Tel that it's been moved too, not July.

Thanks Rob, My Bad.
My message is correct in its info content, just the months I jumbled   (old age creepin' up) . Please delete where I have said July, and insert August   . . . as below.

0ldcat wrote:Hi Steve,

That is a shame it has had to be postponed to a later date.
Unfortunately the AUGUST dates clash with a weekend event I have been booked to attend for some months now. So in short, I have to pull out. Sorry

I'm sure you have run this by Ondurin, but just in case. Mr Ondurin Sir, I'm affraid I shall not be requiring the room I asked you to pen me in for. Perhaps at some future juncture, but sadly not the AUGUST alternative.

To those that can and do make the new ride date, have a great time and ride safe

Cheers
Tel

Ooooh! I can probably make this! I'll report back after informal negotiations have been undertaken.

If it is mid august I think I can make it too, I need to check with 'the management'

Am looking into this. Will get back to you.

I've moved the dates on system. Will update how many rooms I've blocked off once at work.

Raymond

Robcat wrote:It's mid August Tel that it's been moved too, not July.

I'm at the Edinburgh Tattoo that weekend so I'll not be down for sure. Sorry about that.

Tracey and her mum are going too Rob.
Which means I can go to the Cotswolds

Book me in please.

Cheers
Rosco

Rosco wrote:

Robcat wrote:It's mid August Tel that it's been moved too, not July.

I'm at the Edinburgh Tattoo that weekend so I'll not be down for sure. Sorry about that.

Tracey and her mum are going too Rob.
Which means I can go to the Cotswolds

Book me in please.

Cheers
Rosco

Saturday 13th, 10:30 showing we are. Extended fireworks display!

I'm in for this Steve (the old mans away on holiday so he won't be joining us) although just for the ride out as it's my birthday that weekend so the wife requires me for at least some of the weekend.

Still can't make this date I'm afraid, I'm down at Brooklands on a track day experience (not on the bike but in the car)

robertcains wrote:Still can't make this date I'm afraid, I'm down at Brooklands on a track day experience (not on the bike but in the car)

Do it in the Transit it will be way more fun!

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Bob has been busy putting a route together for us, it's about 190 miles, he tells me the route includes Fish Hill, Edge Hill and the Charlbury TT (in both directions).  But also some interesting back roads and plenty of lovely scenery and drop-dead-gorgeous Cotswold villages.  So it's not all about the scratching!

Hopefully this will inspire people to want to come and ride the roads with us.

I've never heard of the Charlbury TT, so took a peek what was on YouTube and found this vlogger



Fish hill looks fun



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Looks good. That's all around my old stomping ground so I know a lot of those roads well. The TT is fun and Fish Hill is always a laugh if it's dry and clear of traffic.

Pedants corner:

Strictly speaking, as I understand it, the Charlbury TT is just the stretch of the B4437 from Charlbury Station to its junction with the A361. And the name comes from it being used as a cycle time trial course - nothing to do with the Isle of Man!

Helpful videos, thanks Steve, though I think both of them actually sell those roads short - the Charlbury one (the last few minutes of Part 2) misses out several of the more challenging bends, while the wide-angle lens doesn't really give much impression of the way the road rolls across the landscape. Similarly the Fish Hill one doesn't give any idea of how steep it actually is.

Incidentally, when I led a run up Fish Hill 3-4 years ago (Stretchy was present, but I can't remember if there were any other Thundercats) some optimist in a fully-laden Kia Picanto decided it would be a good place to try to overtake a few other cars - as you can see, it's two lanes all the way up. Needless to say, they failed miserably, only succeeding in balking us through the first hairpin. Hopefully we'll get a clearer run this time! I'm planning on a brief stop at Broadway Tower at the top, to admire the view across into Wales (that well known footballing nation), so there'll be time for anyone who's really keen to go back down and do it all over again.

I'm just wondering what vehicle Rosco will be using for this trip.

bobh wrote:
Incidentally, when I led a run up Fish Hill 3-4 years ago (Stretchy was present, but I can't remember if there were any other Thundercats)

Me, I was there too - are you going through the ford again?

terry lees wrote:I'm just wondering what vehicle Rosco will be using for this trip.

One with straight forks and a wheel that has metal all the way round would be nice.

Lone'cat wrote:
Me, I was there too - are you going through the ford again? :sb:

Yes - otherwise we'd be waiting ages at the traffic lights in Stow.  Hope that doesn't put you off!

Presume you'll be on Bos 2 Rosco, if I come along would you like me to ride with my panniers on? I think the left hand one should be able to carry a 20 litre can of oil, will that be enough for the weekend do you think? Only asking!

Now the dates have changed (i just realised)..I will be home for this too....Depending on war dept holiday plans i reckon i should be good for this ...will confirm later....

bobh wrote:  Hope that doesn't put you off!

If it's the one I'm thinking of it's quite a small crossing but there is an alternate route avoiding the water altogether.

Dirt Bike Dave wrote:... reckon i should be good for this ...will confirm later....

Nice one Dave, lets hope your social secretary (war dept) has a free slot for you and the same to those who are still finding the right time to pop the question.
Good to read the concern for BOSx's welfare and the preparedness to possibly  join in to make sure all's well