For those not doing the Tour de Vale, there are 2 routes to choose from this week.

Long Route – 40 miles via Chalfont

Shorter Route – 30 miles via Bovingdon

Both rides depart from the Rose and Crown at 10am.

Tour de Vale riders….. a group will be meeting at Pitstone Green roundabout (the one at the junction of Vicarage Road & Cheddington Road) from 8.15am.  The plan being a sedate cycle over to the start, setting off from the roundabout at 8.30am.

Have fun – be safe!

For those not taking part in the Chiltern 100 or the Basin to Bar Ride, there are 2 routes to choose from this Sunday.

Round & about to Winslow and the Farmer’s Market, for those who want a stop along the way.  The 45 mile route can be downloaded here.

For those wanting something a little shorter, there’s a 24 mile route out to Rushmere Park that can be downloaded here.

Both rides will be leaving the Rose & Crown at 10am and there should be a pace to suit everyone.

This week, maybe two?
Will it be you?
Perhaps we will be three?
Please come along and tea ride with me …..

I promise we will stop
Before you feel you have to drop
We always take a break
For coffee, tea & cake….

We leave the pub at ten
And then head back again
For another cup of tea – or whatever you like
All you need is a bike…

Any old bike
Or a tandem or a trike
Old or new, if it’s all the same to you
We’re not at all proud, and we just do what we do….

What do we do?
Tea.
Cake.
And a bit of pedalling.
And a lot of chat.
And more cake.

Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe.
Saturdays at 10am.

To speak of many things
Of seats & brakes & saddles bags
Of trusty old chain rings
And why we all get on our bikes
On Saturday mornings.

“But wait a bit,” the Riders cried,
“Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!” *
“No hurry!” said the ride leader.
They thanked her much for that.

“A loaf of bread,” the Walrus said,
“Is what we chiefly need:
Traybakes and teacakes besides
Are very good indeed–
Now if you’re ready, Riders dear,
We can begin to feed.”

It’s all about priorities and on the Tea Ride, it the chat and the cake stop.

Everyone welcome, helmet on, roll up, 10am at the Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe – and off we go!

*Original words… not those of today’s compiler….no offence intended!

Meet at 10 am outside the Rose and Crown for tea, cake and adventures in what looks to be fantastic sunshine. No one left behind so all riders welcome.

Our illustrious founder may well be off on another jolly jaunt, but don’t worry, the show will go on and we will have you home in time for a pint at the pub to round off tomorrow morning’s Tea Ride. It will also serve as a nice warm up for the excitement of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest tomorrow evening (just in case you didn’t know, we somehow managed to scrape together an entry again this year, which is where the Molly bit comes in).

As ever, the Tea Ride will leave the pub at 10am and aim to return by 12.30pm.

British Girls on Home Turf

For those looking for slightly more strenuous exercise, John Hegs will be leading a ride off in search of those fabulous ladies in the Women’s Tour of Britain as they head through the Welwyn Garden City area.

For those wishing to join him, this is the route over there and the grand depart from the Rose & Crown will be at 9am.  It’s going to be rather damp around the edges, so mudguards are advised and the pace will be to suit the conditions/riders.

New Tea…
In our continuing mission, we have a new church to initiate into the ways of The Tea Ride. Largely, if the weather is good, expect an invasion, especially if (& they have confirmed in writing that this is the case), you supply good cake.  And occasionally cheese scones.

So tomorrow will see some new tea ride tarmac.  If you want a preview, you can find the route A here – otherwise wait for the magical mystery tour…..

As ever, 10am, the Rose and Crown.  The Tea Ride.  Where Cake Matters.

Something Stronger….
For those who would like something a little harder, faster, stronger & longer, Mr Howe is venturing off on a coffee ride.  Around 50 miles at 15+mph.  Please let him know if you would like to join him – comment on his post on the Velos Facebook page if you don’t have his number/email address or email in & I will pass the message on (elke@……)

Girl Talk…
Evans (the bike store not the 16+ clothing chain – just in case we’re not on the same girlie page) at Milton Keynes are having a ladies event on Tuesday evening. Includes a goodie bag and discounts on the evening, (20% off clothes and 10% off bikes). There are a number of talks including one on training.

Would anyone like to go? We could perhaps arrange a car share…?

Details can be found here:-Total Women’s Cycling   and here:- Evans One for the Girls

.. having a little stop … then going back again.. which would be B-A… which means in total it’s A-B-B-A.

Which is kind of convenient on 5th April as it’s Agnetha’s (from ABBA) birthday.  So once again I think we can justify birthday cake!

In short, it’s going to look something like this … and be as un-ABBA like as possible, cos pretty flat is something you can’t really accuse them of…

Fancy giving it a go?  Take a Chance on Me… you know we’ll have a giggle if nothing else.

The Tea Ride.  It’s the Name of the Game.
Saturdays, 10am, TheRose & Crown, Ivinghoe.

What goes up must come down
Bicycle wheel got to go round
Talking about your troubles it’s a cycling sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the cycle wheel spin

You got no money, and you got no room at home
Nice new bicycle, how many do you own?
Talking about your troubles and you, you never learn
Buy a painted pony
let the cycle wheel turn

Did you find a directing sign
on the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a tea room sign
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the goodies that are real

What goes up, must come down – and that includes the tea ride… hills, yep, but you’re coming down them! (Well, all bar one gentle, upwards slope…)

This magical painted pony ride leaves the Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe at 10am, stopping for tea & cake at The Cafe in the Woods (or one of two alternatives we have planned if it’s too busy). Back to the pub about 12.30pm.  Get yourself a copy of the route here….

And something for the Easter holidays for the children (7 years & older)… Cycle Chilterns are holding a FREE Bikeability course – Bikeability Course Details

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm cycling mittens
Brown paper packages filled with bike bling
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream covered cup cakes and crisp apple streudels
Bike bells and sleigh bells and toast topped with noodles
Tea riders that fly with the sun on their wings
These are a few of my favourite things

A mixture of cycles roll past like slow flashes
Flowers in verges form bright coloured splashes
Silver white saddles and bright shiny springs
These are a few of my favourite things

When a tube bursts
Or no bell pings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

The Tea Ride. Something for everyone and where any bike & rider goes. It’s not big and it’s not clever but it is friendly and welcoming and we’d love you to join us.

We’re off for tea at Stanbridge tomorrow – flat route there… flat route back… or as flat as you can get in the Chilterns…

Leaving the Rose and Crown, Ivinghoe, Saturdays at 10am. As fast as the slowest rider.