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
All posts by andrew
Bluebells and Chocolate
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!
BLUEBELL RIDE -24 Miles
BLUEBELL & CHOCOLATE RIDE -14 mile
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!
Have fun!
“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”
“one accomodating the female form”
“an appropriately stylish design”
“please ditch the Cycling Borat (un)manlykini”
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
LONGER RIDE – either 22 or 27 miles
SHORTER ROUTE – 14 miles
Look forward to seeing everyone!
mmmmmmm LYCRA
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
To move this forward ASAP, please send your expressions of interest to admin@ivinghoevelos.org.uk.
Great rides yesterday thanks guys!
Enough of Rubbish, Lady Boys and Egg Shells!!!
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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  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!
Have fun!
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CHILTERN CYCLE CHALLENGE
For those planning to enter the Ian Rennie Ride it is not too late to register please see the link in the previous mailing. Dave H is suggesting that the Vinghoe Velos ‘muster’ at the Coffee Shop in the Square for pre-ride ‘warm up’!
For those not doing the above ride the intentionis that rides will elave as normal at 10:00am on Sunday from the Rose and Crown for more cycling adventures through the 3 counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, watch this space for more news! More importantly the chance to see more nice new shiny bikes joining the ‘peloton’!
Have a great week!
Planning, Planning, Planning
Gosh we’re all busy planning more exciting adventures with the Velos.
Gary has headed to France again planning a possible summer jaunt to France for us all
Whilst Jose is out planning a ‘girlie’ ride with
This is sure to be a great event for the local area and Jose is working hard with the organisers to make it an inclusive event and that we are well represented watch this space for more news and for volunteering opportunities!
As you can imagine, not to be out done Andrew is heading to the NIA in Birmingham for the weekend to check out some support acts for Cycletta and something for the boys!
and yes Jose will be there to keep an eye on him!
Three down and more to go, the Beezers continue the ‘search for Jack’, so Andy cannot make it out on Sunday although Sally has kindly agreed to give up some of her time to lead the LONGER RIDE of 23 miles whilst a SHORTER ROUTE of 14 miles is also planned. Several riders have hung their bikes up and headed off for the annual walking weekend so local drivers should be able to drive easier!
Don’t forget today’s beginners ride which again departs from the Rose & Crown at 2pm led by Sally, a great opportunity for new riders to get better aquainted with the roads with a fully accredited cycle instructor, thanks Sally.
Next Sunday sees many people joining the
Click on the logo to go the site for more details and to register, please do register as ‘Vinghoe Velos’ as the team name as even though we dont plan to ride as a team, the recognition is always good.
So another week of drivel nearly over and time to get on your bikes with the final spots from your roving reporter being
On way to meet the Velos asking “do I need a basket on the front for my Coke?”
Whilst hot foot from down under to see his antipodean pals
Spring is Here!
As previously reported and noted by Gary last week, celebrities from around the globe are fighting to be a part of the Vinghoe Velos those spotted this week included a local publican and resident of Aston Clinton:
and whilst in London, our local roving spy spotted:
hey Lordie the gear too please!
Thats better!!!!
Anyway turning to this weekend, a number of rides to think about and picking up on feedback received, a slight cheat in repeating a ride of 6 weeks ago
LONG RIDE – 28 miles
22 Miles – a shorter version of the above
SHORTER RIDE -15 Miles
Finishing off today massive apologies, from the editorial team, to those people who have tried to contact us through the the email link on the website, sadly our IT skills were about as good as my cycle mechanic skills and we have only just worked out how to access the mailbox. So here’s a shot taken a couple of months ago as ‘tea was taken’
- Where to next?
Going forward this mailbox will be properly monitorred!!!
More riders, more new bikes!!!
How fantastic to see 15 riders gathering outside the R&C today at 2pm and well done and thanks to Dave & Sally sharing their knowledge and skills with fellow Velos!
Another array of new ‘priddy’ bikes on display with a lovely pair of his and hers Specializeds and a Boardman in white, any more to follow tomorrow we wonder?
With family commitments tomorrow Andrew & Jose won’t be playing out and send their apologies but look out for a possible ride to Gt. Missenden next week and more celebrities training for the Velos!
Spring is here?
So another week on and another nice new bike is hitting the roads this weekend!
Gary has returned from his travels with no broken bones and is designing some routes for Sunday, so watch this space.
Tomorrow, Saturday, sees Dave and Sally leading out an 8 mile ride for those either nervous on their nice new bikes or about road cycling leaving the R& C at 2pm.