News from the Shires and further afield as well!

France, Scotland and the US of A to name just a few, we get everywhere

Congratulations to Dave Bembridge who is now more than half way through his 1500 mile challenge having drunk himself from JOG to LE raising money for Cancer Research UK!

Not long before him Martin Sisley managed to travel in the opposite direction rumour has it it is tougher that way as it’s all up hill! Again well done!

A small posse headed to the Alps to tackle several ‘hills’ well done particularly to Dave Cusick who clocked up in the region of 14000 metre (yes metres!) of climb in just 6 days of riding.  This was a tremendous experience and highly recommended!  If that wasn’t enough John and Jeremy have travelled over the pond to the USA for a meeting (10 day meeting, whatever!) and pedalled some miles while there!  Im sure many more have been out and about so lets have your stories!

Jim’s unfortunate accident last week is a reminder to us all that

• the roads are rubbish
• remain  vigilant
• keep in control

We wish Jim a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the Peleton

Rose and Crown Annual Cycle Event

This will take place on the 17th August 2014 and will offer a variety of 3 routes for cyclists of all abilities.
10 mile cycle: A family friendly route with limited gradients.
25 mile cycle: The perfect route for leisure cyclists. Includes some gradients.
60 mile cycle: For the more experienced or adventurous!
Each ride starts and finishes at the Rose and Crown, and there’ll be a complimentary burger for every participant on their return.
This year we’re raising funds for Cancer research, so please join us to raise as much as possible. Full details of the ride can be found on our just giving page, where you can also register and enter your donation. Just click on this link here

Bikeability Instructors

Many will know that there are a number of qualified Instructors in our midst and work is increasing rapidly.  We are looking for anyone interested in joining us to deliver cycle training, predominantly in schools, on a self employed casual basis.  Training is available with some funding possible.  This is ideal term time work for those with some hours to fill and are good working with children.  If you are interested in learning more please contact either Dave Bembridge or Andrew Hetherington

Tuesday Night Ride

As many of us prepare for this weekends Prudential Ride London Surrey 100 a gentle spin out tomorrow will be in order.  Meeting at Pitstone roundabout for a start @1830 this is a 22 mile route

A couple of rides for you to play……………….

36 Miles round Hemel and home – this is a lovely and intriguing ride that takes you right around Hemel taking in some lovely places and not too hilly!

24 miles taking you up into Ashridge and beyond

Both rides leaving at 1000 from the Rose and Crown.  Please load your preferred route onto your Garmin thingy or acquaint yourself with the route using one of those mapp things!  🙂

Have fun

One of errant members, Dan (I love a mountain climb Rough has kindly suggested 2 rides for tomorrow evening, thanks Dan!

Both leaving Pitstone Roundabout at 1830 please remember that Rule 87 applies!  Note both routes can be downloaded using the Export feature on the top ride of the web page

A Lumpy Tuesday Night
Distance 37.3 KM; Ascent 466m or for those not adhering to Rule 24 thats 23.2 miles with 1528 ft of climbing 🙂

For those wanting a hilly challenge, we’ve packed as many hills into as short a route as possible. Starting with our good friend Ivinghoe Beacon, the route then turns towards Ringshall descending before climbing up the Nettledon Road. A short blast through Berkhamsted then sees the route turn up New Road towards the top of Tom’s Hill. A descent of Tom’s Hill leading to a left hand turn at the bottom to lead up past The Valiant Trooper. From there, progress is upwards again as the route heads towards Wiggington via Hemp Lane. Descending via the back roads of Tring the route finally goes out towards the Marsworth reservoirs and turns back towards the bottom of Castlemead and Pittstone roundabout.

You can download the route in TCX form here. Other formats are available using the “export” tab in the top right hand side of the page.

A Little Less  Lumpy on Tuesday Night
Distance 23.7 KM (14.7m); Ascent 240m (787ft);

For those wishing to keep the ride slightly shorter, or with slightly less ascent, this route should suit. Following the other group up towards Ivinghoe, you’ll wave goodbye to your compadres as they turn left for the Beacon. Carrying straight on, you’ll turn left slightly later on towards Aldbury up the Stocks Road. Upon reaching Aldbury you’ll do a right, left shimmy by the pond to carry on towards the Valiant Trooper. Up the side of that and onto New Road. From there it’s up towards Wiggington via Hemp Lane. This route essentially flattens out as an overall profile from here though there’s an immediate descent from Wiggington down to the Wingrave Road on the outskirts of Tring. Down to the Marsworth reservoir and out towards Long Marston, the route then turns right towards Cheddington and finally makes another right before heading back to Pitstone.

So the Hegs’ are away and its time for more Sunday cycling fun!!

Thanks to Dave Bembridge (for amending the Chartridge Ride) to create a 62 mile route leaving the R&C at 0800

62 mile ride

At 1000 there is a choice of 2 rides

31 mile route

22 mile route

Whilst we are all out enjoying our rides spare a thought for Martin Sisley who has recently started his greatest cycling challenge and says:

“I wanted to thank everyone for your generous contributions.

Our original target was £2000 – already we are through £2500, with a little bit of luck we might even be able to make £3000, which would be fantastic.

https://www.justgiving.com/MJSisley

For anyone who wants to follow us – I have created a blog which I will be updating on a regular basis:

https://velomartinlejog.wordpress.com/

I will also do my best to update Strava each day – but that will depend on when and where I can blag access to a computer!

Cheers – see you all in a couple of weeks!”

TRAINING CONTINUES

The local hills took a beating this weekend with Whiteleaf, Wardrobe and Bison (amongst others) taking a beating from several of the Velos!

TEAM KIT

Details of the kit can be found here and for a limited period later this week we are likely to have a range of sample sizes of jerseys and jackets available if anyone wants to try them contact Andrew using the form on the KIT page. To date there are orders received from Dave (you know which one you are!), Liz and Jeremy, if anyone else thinks I have an order form them please let me know.  It would be good if ALL of the Alpine Adventure attendees was wearing a team jersey for the TdF day (even Bourne Leisure guys!)

TUESDAY RIDE

25 miles leaving Pitstone Roundabout at 1830,for anyone wanting a shorter ride there are several opportunities to take a shorter route home on well known roads!

CLUB KIT

We have received written requests from 3 people (Dave Bembridge, Jeremy and Liz) although many people have asked about it.  Unfortunately without volume the prices will escalate and an order will not then be possible.   Details of the kit can be found here so if you are looking for some please commit to the purchase!

Anyone wishing to order kit is asked to complete the form at the bottom of the ‘kit’ page and costs will be detailed and payment required at time of order being placed with manufacturer.

TUESDAY RIDE

Following a highly succesful first evening road ride of the year last week Dave (the Hill) offers up this  23 mile ride which can easily be shortened if people want to cut off early or miss out on Dave’s ‘treat’ a mile from the end!  Meeting at Pitstone Roundabout for a prompt start at 1830, don’t be late please.

Sorry shorter route back from the 35 mile and fun ride tomorrow is here 🙂

Many have asked about team kit and details of the new kit can be found here

Current lead-time is 6 weeks from us placing order with supplier and this can be done as soon as we have 10 items of one type confirmed, we can order less but there may be a surcharge

So here we are many of us have expressed an interest in and are planning to ride this event on Sunday firstly as a personal challenge but also in memory of Steve Herring’s wife, Sue.

Details and entry forms for the ride can be found here

For those looking at doing the 75 mile route we plan to leave PITSTONE ROUNDABOUT at 0715 to meet anyone driving to the start at the Registration point at 0800.  For those planning to make this a century ride the proposed route there and back is here

Those doing the 35 mile route can meet at PITSTONE ROUNDABOUT to leave at 0815 to arrive and meet those driving to the start at 0900.  the proposed there and back is here or those wishing a little less use the route below

Of course being fully inclusive and for those not wishing to tackle either of the above distances Iain Rennie have also included a 10k fun ride which starts at 1100.  Meeting at the ROSE AND CROWN for the usual 1000 Sunday start time this will enable a steady ride using this route to get to the start of the Fun Ride and then a pleasant ride home after to celebrate in the region of 29 miles!

All of the Iain Rennie routes are signed and marshalled but for those with those gadgety garminy type things Graham Hollands has kindly provided the GPX FILES

75 Mile Route – may need to add a couple more miles on way home!! 😉

35 Mile Route

For those with Vinghoe Velos Kit please try and wear it, for those wishing to purchase the new kit updated details will be on the site soon!

GOMAW TOUR SERIES

Meeting on Wednesday at Pitstone Roundabout for a 10am start the GOMAW Tour Series continues with a little trip out to Haddenham for a cup of coffee

The GOMAW ROUTE

GoSkyride Breeze meets the Tea Ride!

This Saturday Jayne Raynor is leading a Breeze Ride from the Rose and Crown meeting for a 10am start and this will bring Breeze together with the Tea Ride

The Breeze Route

ONE FOR THE DIARY – The Chilterns Cycle Challenge Sunday 23rd March

It was tremendous to see so many riders out last Sunday with some 29 people out.  We were particularly pleased to welcome back, after some time away, Steve Herring who sadly lost his wife Sue after a long period of illness a few weeks ago.  Steve remembers how Sue used to go cycling with him before she was taken ill with cancer and inspired by this memory of happy times together and motivated by the 24-hour responsive care that Sue received from Rennie Grove Hospice Care he will again be riding this sportive and would he says be “honoured” if other members of the Vinghoe Velos joined him to help remember Sue and help raise money for this great Charity.  Full details can be found in the above link