www.dlpvcc.co.uk

Welcome to the ~

** D E S F O R D ** L A N E ** P E D A L L E R S **

. . . . . Veteran Cycle Club . . . . .

President: Mrs Susan Busby
Secretary: Mrs Madeleine Pickering

Leicesterhire based, the DLPVCC originated in 1976 when Five neighbours all living on Desford Lane, Ratby were introduced to the pleasure of riding early cycles when they participated in the 1976 Ratby Village 'Crow Pie' carnival. The Bicycles that they rode were :- 1875 Starley & Hillman 48" Ordinary / Penny Farthing, an 1885 Mazzeppa Dwarf Ordinary, 1890 Hillman Herbert & Cooper Premier Solid Tyred Safety, 1891 Quadrant Bicycle and a 1900c Dursley Pederson.
Three of the neighbours, Sue Busby, Brian March and Tony Pickering are still very much involved with the Club today.

In 1980 the group affiliated to the National Association of UK Veteran Cycle clubs, as The Desford Lane Pedallers Veteran Cycle Club, and have since participated in events throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. 'Pedallers' in particular have become well known for their enthusiasm for riding the 'Ordinary' bicycle.
The DLPVCC created and established in 1996, a Guinness World Record for a 'Penny Stack' when a free standing line of Fifty-Eight members sat stationary upon their machines for the required time. Since then the Velocipede Society of Tasmania increased the line to 69, then the following year the U.S.A. Wheelmen increased the line to 85, and in 2003, two weeks before the UK record attempt, the 'Wheelmen' established a circle ( line ? ) of 103 machines and riders at their Golden Colarado meet, ( Not ratified by GWR )
Currently the world record stands at One Hundred and Thirty One machines established by U.K.Ordinary Enthusiasts in 2003 at the Abbey Park, Leicester.

During 1984, the Pedallers twinned with a similar minded French group of veteran cycle enthusiasts ~ the Union Velocipedique Belle Epoque, based in the beautiful Loire Valley region of France. As guests of the UVBE, Pedallers have ridden and displayed their cycles at many events throughout Europe and also at Tour de France stages.
Members also are regular attendee's of the ORE Club of Belgium, events.

DLPVCC Club monthly rides start with the New Year ride, normally held on the first Sunday after New Years day. The first was in 1979 to nearby Peckleton.

Cyclists are welcome on any DLPVCC event . . . but we would ask that you ride as early a bicycle as possible, as it is by maintaining, using and riding these early machines that we primarily enjoy our hobby and at the same time provide further enjoyment for the public who when ever we are out riding are able to see a mobile pagent of early transport.

* * * Happy riding and we look forward to seeing you during the year

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE . . . Entry forms for the 2008 NAVCC National Rally and Affiliated Clubs Open Rallies, are normally available in April. For these and for any further Club details, please contact Madeleine Pickering ( Secretary )
E-mail :- pickeringmad@aol.com
S.A.E. for entry forms please...

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* * * CALENDER and REPORTS of 2 0 0 8 EVENTS * * *

Sunday January 6th ~ New Year Ride from The Plough, Littlethorpe, Leicestershire. Members enjoyed a cool but dry seven mile ride via Cosby & Whetstone, returning after two stops en-route for warmth and sustenance to the restaurant at the Plough for a splendid carvery lunch.

Sunday February 3rd ~ Annual General Meeting saw no change with the officers and committee being elected for a further term of office. A unaminous decision to enforce club rule 13, to charge guests paticipating on club rides and events to cover third party insurance and health & safety regulations was agreed.


March 16th ~ 'Free & Easy' ride - Bradgate Park, Leicestershire resulted, due to adverse weather ( heavy rain and strong winds ) being a much shortened ride through the Park and back, not all riders managed this though. One member who did, riding a 1930's machine was actually blown off his machine when turning at the far end before 'flying' back with the wind behind him.
Thanks for those that turned up, especially the Franklins who drove over from Suffolk and five year old Shaneece who rode a bicycle for the first time on her own.

April 29th ~ Garfields 'Themed' costume ride saw thirty riders on a variety of machines dressed as Scarecrows. Merlin, who rode his 1880.c Ordinary, looked as though he was riding 'no hands' but actually had his hands through the front of his costume and was holding the handlebars. Riders after making stops at two pubs en-route returned to Glinton where Ann G had prepared everyone a wonderful 'Ploughman's' lunch, sorry 'Scarecrows' lunch.

May 4th ~ Invitation event ~ UVBE, France, Contres saw a small contingent of Pedallers join French, German & Dutch enthusiasts on the usual well organised ride and evening meal.

May 7th - 11th ~ IVCA Rally, Beaulieu, UK. A well attended event with most Nations represented. The GWR 'Penny Stack' attempt failed to increase the 131, nevertheless it achieved a line of 104 riders and machines.

June 22nd ~ Sonia & Jack's Jaunt ~ was it windy or was it windy ? BUT we never had it in our faces. A route of approx fifteen miles took in two refereshment stops before returning to the Globe at Snarestone for a welcome Sunday Lunch.
Considering the area ( north Leicestershire ) Sonia & Jack suceeded in finding a flat route that other than a short length of newly gritted and tarred road suface, was a pleasure to ride.

July 11/12/13th this 'Invitation' event now known as the 'Retrofietshappening' organised by the ORE takes place at Ettelgem, Belgium.
Rides of 30km stopping at a number of places en-route took place on the Saturday and Sunday. 80 riders of various nationalities rode on the Saturday and 120 on the Sunday. A two hour break for lunch was taken each day, both a places of interest.
The weather was extremely hot and several riders suffered sunburn.

July 27th ~ Picko's Picnic, Mkt. Bosworth Country Park enjoyed wonderful weather, two new refreshment stops, slightly shorter and more interesting route and very good company. Six entrants rode Ordinaries and the day ended with rides in the park on several 'Fun' bicycles.

Augs 17th ~ Keymer's CityTown ride was a ride full of incident and enjoyment. Riders left at approx 11:30 from Sybil Road, after coffee, along a tow path route into the City Centre, calling first at the Swan & Rushes, then the Talbot, then the Western ( Steaming Billy's ) before returning for an excellent buffet afternoon lunch.
Many thanks to Dave and John for a splendid day....and Ellen, Dillon and Dad Dave.
Although the route was more suited for Pneumatic tyred machines, four riders chose to ride their P/F's much to the delight of the many on-lookers..

Sept 7th ~ 52nd NAVCC National Rally ~ Yorkshire.

Oct 5th ~ Rallye des Ancetres, Compiegne, France.
Invitation event for machines manufactured before 1906.

Oct 12th ~ Autumn Ride, Clumber Park.

Nov 23rd ~ Club Luncheon & Ride. Ashby de la Zouch.

For full information contact :-
Madeleine Pickering
Hon Sec.
E-mail:- pickeringmad@aol.com


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Links to DESFORD LANE PEDALLERS
http://homepages.tesco.net/~D.A.Y/desfordlane.html