…. will be cold.
….will probably be snowing.
….will still go ahead.
And if you don’t fancy the outdoors, “It” by Stephen King is a tremendous read.
The Tea Ride. Saturdays at 10am. Whatever the weather.
As fast as the slowest rider. If 8-10 mph is too slow for you, please feel free to form a second, faster group.
This Saturday,
And so shall I,
With what I have to say.
The Tea Ride is meant
To be fun for all.
Both young & old
Short & tall.
There are many needs
It tries to meet.
Whilst finding quiet routes
And places to eat.
Helping build confidence &
Teach skills on the seat
(A bit like learning to dance
If you’ve two left feet).
The pace is set
By the slowest one out.
If we go too fast
You just have to shout.
We stop and we start
All around the lanes
Preferably in places where
The traffic load wanes.
But we can’t please all
In one big group.
Our ride styles are different,
We’re an oddball group!
As ride leaders we’re here
To help & support
Guide a group
And share what we’ve been taught.
If your needs aren’t met
And you find it too slow.
Perhaps the main ride
You’ve begun to outgrow.
We don’t want you to leave us
And ride alone.
But we don’t want you to just
Be bored to the bone.
Pick a pal who rides
At a similar pace
And a longer route to our tea stop
You then can trace.
Our motto is simple
And to it we adhere
“As fast as the slowest”
We hope this is clear.
Meeting at the Rose & Crown for a 10am departure.
OK, so a fair few of us are probably bemoaning “Dry/Damp January”… “Thin January”…. “Broke January”…. a fair few on a diet…. a bunch on a health kick. Let’s see how long we can all last at whatever it is we have chosen. Keep up the willpower!!
On January 28th, 1521, the Diet of Worms began. It all looks so much better now doesn’t it.
It lasted until May 25th. Come on Velos… we can do better than that!
Exercise & carefully balanced nourishment. 10am at the Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe. Be part of the TEAM. (Together, Everyone Achieves More).
…….
A traveling circus came
It brought a pompous businessman
And Donald was his name.
One dark night
He slipped his golden chain
And off he ran to inaugurate
And “Make America Great Again”.
Ooooooooooooo. .
Donald the Republican packed his trunk
And said bye to the family business
Off he went with a Trumpety-Trump
Trump, Trump, Trump
Donald the businessman packed his trunk
And created a politics circus
Off he went with a Trumpety-Trump
Trump, Trump, Trump.
Night by night
He stirred up the political band
When Donald was leading the big parade
He looked so proud and grand.
Lots more tricks
For Donald to perform
They taught him how to take a bow
And he certainly caused a storm.
The ex-head of UKIP was calling
Far, far away
They met one night in the golden light
In a Tower where he should stay.
So Donald from T.V. packed his trunk
And created healthcare turmoil
Off he went with a Trumpety-Trump
Trump, Trump, Trump.
Ooooooooooooo. .
Donald the capitalist packed his trunk
And made an odd set of friends
Off he went with a Trumpety-Trump
Trump, Trump, Trump
Donald the tycoon packed his trunk
And went off to rule the world
Off he went with a Trumpety-Trump
Trump, Trump, Trump.
I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. Nothing to do with cycling whatsoever, but now I’ve got it out of my system, let’s get onto the real news. It’s going to be cold but there is always a Tea Ride for those who dress accordingly! Leaving the Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe at 10am. Be there. Or be disappointed at home.
……………… lived just down the road
And frolicked in the winter snow
in a land called Ivinghoe
Lots of other riders loved that rascal Dave
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other stuff to crave, oh!
Dave, the Tea Ride rider lived just down the road
And frolicked in the winter snow
in a land called Ivinghoe
Dave, the Tea Ride rider lived just down the road
And frolicked in the winter snow
in a land called Ivinghoe
Together they would travel on bikes along the trail
Someone keeps a lookout perched on Dave’s (not-so) gigantic tail
Noble chaps and farmers would bow whene’er they came
Tearide shops would lower their flags when Dave roared out his name, oh!
Dave, the Tea Ride rider lived just down the road
And frolicked in the winter snow
in a land called Ivinghoe
A dragon lives forever but not so girls & boys
Painted cars don’t give a damn or make way for our toys
One day it may happen, trucks & vans will come no more
And then that mighty Tea Ride will, continue on it’s tour.
It may be cold and it may be snowy but it takes more than that to stop the Tea Ride. Definitely one for the chunkier-of-tyre. Lots of warm layers please. Won’t be far & won’t be fast. But it will be fun. It’s what we do best 🙂
Leaving the Rose & Crown at 10am. the view will be so much better than the one from your bed!
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
And surely ye’ll be at your pint-stop!
and surely I’ll be at mine!
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have cycled about the slopes,
and rolled along lanes fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary mile,
since auld lang syne.
We two have pedalled through the stream,
from morning sun till down;
But miles between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
And that, my friends, is what it’s all about. Making trusty friends, both human and bi-/tri- cycle, and taking a good-will draught together. There are many variations and translations of Burns’ original Old Friends song, it seemed rude not to have our own to see the old year out. (Don’t worry….. I’m sure Burns’ Night will see some other variation of something familiar to keep you on your pedals!)
So, for those who feel so inclined to do one last pootle out for the year…. 10am at the Rose & Crown.
For everyone …. Best Wishes to you & yours for the New Year, from all at Velos HQ.
My white bicycle, my white bicycle
Riding all around the street
Ten o’clock and they’re all asleep
I’m not tired and it’s so late
Moving fast everything looks great.
My white bicycle, my white bicycle
See that man, he’s all alone
Looks so happy but he’s far from home
Ring my bell, smile at him
He should come with us & just join in
My white bicycle, my white bicycle
The rain comes down but I don’t care
The wind is blowing in my hair
Seagulls flying in the air
My white bicycle
Car driver shouts but I don’t see him
They’re one thing I don’t believe in
Find some judge, but it’s not leavin’
Lift both hands, his head in disgrace
Shines no light upon my face
Through the darkness, we still speed
My white bicycle and me
My white bicycle, my white bicycle
The song was originally performed by “Tomorrow” – also appropriate I thought….
So tomorrow…. a quick – or rather short & steady – jaunt around the block and back to the Rose & Crown for 12 noon as I’m sure we all have things to be doing and we are just indulging ourselves with a bit of healthy exercise before over-indulging “tomorrow”.
See you at the Rose & Crown at 10am
The song was inspired by the Dutch Provos, an anarchist group in Amsterdam which instituted a community bicycle program: "they had white bicycles in Amsterdam and they used to leave them around the town. And if you were going somewhere and you needed to use a bike, you'd just take the bike and you'd go somewhere and just leave it. Whoever needed the bikes would take them and leave them when they were done." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEpD9RH-Wds
Yep.. I know… you thought I had forgotten….
Nope. Just busy having having dinner….
Saturday. 10am. The (Tea) Tinsel Ride.
Prize for the Best Dressed Bike & Rider.
Won’t be Big. Won’t be Clever. But it will happen.
All encompassing. Everyone welcome & catered for.
at Ten. As usual.
might be wet. Might not be.
Come prepared for anything.
You know the drill….
“Yes, this is the view as far as I can remember… Yes, yes it is.
May I ask what you expected to see ? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain… “
This is the Tea Ride. Anything is possible!
We see a lot of things, not necessarily the sea at Torquay but a lot of varied and interesting things. And we meet a vast, eclectic mix of people on our two wheeled travels whilst sharing a wry grin and a giggle.
So, whilst you pedal along tomorrow, give Basil & Manuel a passing thought. And take in the view… of whatever it may be…
Wrap up warm, it might be chilly! Leaving the Rose & Crown at 10am. Every Saturday.