All posts by andrew

Lemurs, Olympic silver medals and the Velos!!!

As we near our first birthday the fame and reputation of the Vinghoe Velos continues to grow with local press desperate to get a piece of the action.  Note no mention of Tour de France or Giro d’Italia but Vinghoe Velos prominent for all to see!

JERSEYS

The Final Version!

The order for our unique jerseys will finally be placed on Monday so if anyone else requires one please contact me over the weekend.

Well done to all those who took part in the Tour de Vale last week, having manned the Water Stop on the Beacon it certainly felt like snorkels would have been of more use than lycra!

This weekends rides:

LONGER –  27 miles but after many routes set by Gary ‘mountain goat’ Peter here is one less challenging

SHORTER – 15 miles

Enjoy

Jerseys – a word of caution!

An update for all you athletes out there. I took delivery of 2 sample jerseys for checking sizes. BEWARE as normal sizes don’t necessarily reflect the normal sizes of a highly honed body such as mine! I have here a ladies size 14 and Jose can happily share with other lady cyclists her view on it’s suitability. I also have a men’s 2XL, sadly I was kidding myself!!!!!!!
We cannot be responsible for sizing nor are custom jerseys returnable if anyone would like to try either of the above mentioned jerseys please let me know ASAP

As per Gary’s earlier note we aim to send the order on Monday so requirements and cheques by tomorrow please!

Have fun

1 Year On with the Vinghoe Velos!

It is a year ago that 3 finely honed athletes and supreme cyclists met over a number of pints of our favourite beverages in the Rose and Crown and discussed their shared passions of drinking, camaraderie and cycling (in that order!).  “What to do?” we thought, “let’s set up a cycling group maybe we could find upto 6 other people who shared our passion?”  And so the Vinghoe Velos was born (thanks to some vandal who had thought it would be a wheeze to take the “I” off the village name as you entered from Pitstone………. thanks chap!)

The first meeting of the Velos took place in the Rose and Crown on 13th July where we were slightly taken aback by the number of people who arrived to express an interest (whilst we watched our local landlord and fellow Velo rub his hands in glee, ready to count the pennies!!)

The Inaugural ride took place on 25th July when a massive 7 people turned out, was this ever going to take off?  Nearly one year on 30 riders on a Sunday is not unheard of and every other Saturday Dave and or Sally lead a beginners ride out also!

So what now?

July 10th will be our first Birthday ride as usual leaving the R&C at 10:00am after which we are planning some celebrations, please put the date in your diary and think about ‘blocking off’ the afternoon (it may even be a good idea to take a days holiday on the Monday 😉

We are also delighted to launch, in celebration of our 1st Birthday, the official Vinghoe Velos Cycling Jersey.

With a couple of minor tweaks required 

Price for this item will not exceed £38 and will depend on the numbers required (we do need a minimum order of 10!)

The Jersey has a ‘concealed 3/4’ zip and 3 rear pockets the middle one of which is zipped

Sizing charts can be found on the links below

GENTS

http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Products/184/speg-blanc-short-sleeve-coolmax-cycle-jersey.aspx

LADIES

http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Products/196/speg-union-team-cycle-jersey-mk3–100-coolmax–ladies.aspx

If you are worried about the size you require it is possible to ‘purchase’ a stock item shirt direct from the manufacturer and then return for refund once tried on for refund as long as it is returned in its original condition.  The links for this are below:

ORDER PROCESS

Orders to Andrew Hetherington @ 17 Wellcroft, Ivinghoe, LU7 9EF no later than Sunday 12 June.  Detail required:

  • Name
  • Mobile phone number (in case of query)
  • Cheque to the value of £38 per jersey made out to “J&A Consultants (Ivinghoe) Ltd”.  Any refunds will be dealt with once the order has been placed
  • Size required and whether Ladies or Gents

All being well the Jerseys will be with us for our Birthday party!

Brabantia Bins found abandoned in Aston Clinton

As you may have guessed some people aren’t too happy with their waste disposal receptacles, might look pretty but …………………………………………………..

The Velos go from strength to strength and we look forward to seeing more new riders along with established riders to join our merry band.  No it’s not Sherwood Forest nor am I called Robin but by the looks of the lovely new bikes there are many to be robbed on their way through Ashridge!

Advance warning:

SATURDAY 4th June – Beginners ride covering abvout 8 miles leaving from the Rose & Crown at 2pm

Sunday 12th June – Tour de Vale Rides from Aylesbury whilst we will have rides out many have expressed an interest in doing this this.  Yours truly will be manning the water stop on the Beacon with his children if anyone else wants to offer their services as a marshall or helper please contact us!

SUNDAY 5th JUNE

Jack is (or might be) back!

LONGER RIDE (courtesy of Mr B!) – 27 miles

SHORTER RIDE – 15 miles

Have a great week and watch out for those splitting bin bags

Crazy Sheep and Thunderbolts……..

…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).
Toasting the happy couple!

God Save the Queen!

Fascinators and posh frocks

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

LONG RIDE – 27 miles (a Dave Howe special!)

SHORTER ROUTE – 14 miles

Not forgetting of course that if you get a move on you can still make it to Northampton for the Beezer ride back to the R&C today!

Shall we just do the Northampton Ride dear?

Just a quick reminder:

 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’!

Blimey best get a move on might miss rehearsals