…couldn’t stop the stately progress of the (i)vinghoe Velos from Northampton Station
What no fascinators?!
back to the Rose & Crown. The day had everything; delayed trains, sunshine, thunder, hail, great food, beer and sheep herding (though not very successful). A big thanks for to everyone (19 in total) who came along and made it such a fun day. It was impressive that people still waited for others to catch up in the thunder and hail. We were very pleased to welcome guest riders Ian, John, Alistair, Alice and Damian (sorry if names mis-spelt).
So D Day is here for the Wills and Kate and thios was best borought home to us when visiting the the R & C last night and noting that on one of the pumps it declares that “Kate loves Willy”! Whilst the press may be reporting that Willy popped out to meet his adoring ‘fans’ last night can you be sure this wasn’t him oustide the R&C meeting the Vinghoe Velos?
Saturday 30th sees Dave B leading out an 8 mile ‘beginners’ ride from the R&C, a great opportunity to ride with a qualified cycling instructor (or 2!) for those people nervous about riding on the road.
On Sunday 1st May we will be meeting at the R&C at 0945 to head off at 10am with a choice of 2 delightful routes for you
Andy Beezer is organising a ‘leisurely ride’ from Northampton to Ivinghoe on April 29th. Total distance is 41 miles with a break for lunch at the The Bell Inn, Bechampton after 21 miles. If you would like further details then please email Andy at andy.beezer@softeksoftware.co.uk
Of course this has left many people in dilemma about what to do as was spotted seeing the lovebirds warming up for a lifetime ‘in the saddle’!
What beautiful rides on Sunday, allowing 25 of us to enjoy beautiful weather, superb company and time to soak up the beauty of the Bluebell Woods before finishing off with rehydration in the Rose & Crown!
No street party to go to or simply want to avoid the telly, Andy Beezer is organising a ‘leisurely ride’ from Northampton to Ivinghoe on April 29th. Total distance is 41 miles with a break for lunch at the The Bell Inn, Bechampton after 21 miles. If you would like further details then please email Andy at andy.beezer@softeksoftware.co.uk
So another week goes by the Bluebells are out and it is the weekend of copious amounts of chocolate to be eaten! Nothing too much to say but crikey 31 people out last week! With that in mind we have for you this week a ride with the opportunity to stop and admire the bluebells while you eat your chococolate!
Particularly in light of the weather please arrive for 0950 briefing for a prompt 10am start. Ensure you bring plenty of water and sunblock on!
Last weeks record ‘turnout’ of 31 riders was not only a record but also reinforced the need for everyone to take responsibility for themselves. Please do try and digest the routes before we leave and remember to cycle with due consideration to all road users!
“I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying.” Crikey when I read this quote from Greg Lemond I realised how satisfied I must be!
Thinking of quotes it made me think of ones received this week regarding the proposed Vinghoe Velos Jersey and our possible conclusions:
“not too much of a freakish colour or wording”
Counts this option out!
“one accomodating the female form”
We thought this might fit the bill!
“an appropriately stylish design”
With the appropriate body to wear it!
“please ditch the Cycling Borat (un)manlykini”
Is it really worth a divorce case? hmmmmmm maybe!
Seriously we do take all feedback on board and the design work continues and watch this space next week to see where we are heading!
This weekend there will be a ‘beginners’ ride heading out from the R&C at 2pm on Saturday, an ideal opportunity to get to know road cycling with qualified instructors.
On Sunday meeting at 9:50am we will head off from the R&C at 10am with 2 rides to chose from
So following on from lots of queries about getting a Vinghoe Velos cycling kit, much research has been done, in real terms if we are to progress it we will need a minimum order of 10 of each item and once an order is placed it will take c. 6 weeks for delivery.
At this stage could people please indicate whether they would be SERIOUSLY interested in purchasing a Vinghoe Velos cycling jersey, with short sleeves and 3/4 length zip. With the help of oour sponsors we intend to have the price of these, fashion leading, jerseys to less than £35 per jersey and should anyone know of anyone that would like their company name displayed by a group of ‘athletes’ all approaches are welcome. If like me there are people who like the ‘mankini’ feel and would like some bib shorts please also let us know. The intention will be to make the jersey design compatible with black shorts anyhow
Ebenezer and Albert Fox were twins and would have rightly been described as two of the most loveable old rogues in Hertfordshire. However, the local landowners and magistrates would not have agreed for the twins made a career out of poaching. They appeared before the courts numerous times, but never together. Being twins they made valuable use of this, making sure that the other would be seen at the time of the crime and act as the perfect alibi.
However, legend has it that on one occasion, Ebenezer pleaded guilty and it was made in such circumstances that the magistrates suffered one of their greatest humiliations. It began in the pub of a friend when Fox overheard a conversation between two gentry who had previously arrived in a crested coach with liveried footmen. As soon as he heard them mention shooting and firearms he broke into their conversation and impressed them with his insight and knowledge of the subject. The shorter of the two gentlemen who was bearded became intrigued and started to question Fox who eventually sat at their table. It was at that point that Ebenezer discovered that he was talking to no other than the King of England himself. It was much to be said of King Edward VII that he could find a common interest with one of his humblest of subjects, but there is more to be said for the effrontery of the Hertfordshire poacher who was not in the least bit perturbed by the disclosure. In fact the discussion ended with Fox climbing into the king’s carriage. He was being driven off to shoot with the highest of the realm!
The very same day a local gamekeeper disturbed a poacher who escaped, but he saw enough of the man to see that he was Ebenezer Fox. In front of the court the magistrates were astonished when Fox agreed that he had been shooting that day, but then denied that he had not been on Mr Hale’s land. He also said that he had a witness to prove it. ‘He’ll be one of your kind’, the chairman said. ‘If you mean was he along o’ me, course he was’, said the accused. ‘We was shooting together, in fact he took me your honour’, he went on. ‘So if you were not on Hale’s land where were you’, asked the Magistrate. Ebenezer furnished the name of the landowner whose estate was near Biggleswade. It was an impressive name and the bench felt sure that such a gentleman would never tolerate the likes of Fox on his preserves. ‘What is the name of your accomplice’, asked the Chairman. ‘Ah’, said Ebenezer, making the most of the occasion, ‘he is a little better off than me. Like as not you will let him off and I’ll do time’. ‘You will both get your desserts’, the Chairman assured him. ‘Who was it?’ ‘If you please, your honour, it was His Majesty the King, God bless im’.
At that moment a distinguished figure entered the courtroom to gasps and bewildered head shaking. When at last the Chairman looked once more at the prisoner he did so with a scarlet face; it was with difficulty that he managed to utter ‘The case dismissed’.
So you ask yourselves what on earth has this got to do with cycling? The answer is nothing more than I saw Gary coming home with a mini keg of Tring Brewery’s finest
Rehydration for cyclists!
and you now know the story behind it!
Well done to all those who completed the Chiltern Challenge, although we were disappointed to know that no one completed 75 miles (it only being 72.72 miles we are relaibly informed!). Please do let us know your stories for posting on here.
With so many riding out of Aylesbury we were surprised to still have 8 people out last week and the new bikes on display continue, we look forward to seeing the new Scott that was out in Aylesbury in all of its glory, that assuming anyone can keep up with it!
This weeks rides can be found in last weeks post as we actually went a different way altogether!
