Well its certainly been quite a week, some might say its been a riot. But here in Vinghoe and the surrounding villages life meanders pretty much as normal. Chickens munch toothless on yesterdays scraps, children play in the leafy parks, Dogs are walked, the hanging baskets are watered, the swinging parties continue, and the streets are littered with the blue of the MIGHTY VINGHOE VELOS.

And so we continue with our weekly tour of the surrounding countryside, with no fewer than three rides on offer this weekend. They consist of the usual long and short routes, as well a new off-road route for those of you looking to give your mountain bikes a workout.

Now at this point we would normally give you details of the proposed routes, however I tried to log on to mapometer this morning, only to find their account is currently suspended. We will review this again later today, but if normal service is not reviewed, we will head out on one of our previous rides relying purely on memory to guide us.

Should the mapometer situation be permanent, if you have details of any other websites offering a similar service, please let us know.

Looking to the future (This is not the Septic Meg sections) Mary Saintey is looking to undertake the Churches ride on 10th September and is extending an invite to all. We have lots of information on this and will post details later this weekend.

See you all tomorrow 10.00am.

Here at the

Not content with sticking a glass to our front door and listening in to the messages on our binatone answerphone, whilst our children mourn the sad loss of their hamster Gerry, Beacon News News Hack Nigel, wishes to do a follow up expose on the Vinghoe Velos. Now you will know that the velos do not seek nor court publicity of an inproper nature, however I have, despite my inate shyness, agreed to a further interview on behalf of the club. As you would expect I have stipulated a very strict criteria to the interview and a copy of the proposed questions in advance. This includes no questions relating to the hamster.

I appreciate that many of you value your privacy within the club and I promise not to give out any names unless asked to by Nigel. I feel confident that I can resist for several seconds the surface probing that this experienced news hack will apply. Nigel has also agreed that the final article can be approved by us before publishing, so if anyone knows a vet available for this please let me know.

In addition to the written works, Nigel is also bringing a photographer along on Sunday morning at the start of our ride. I am unclear wether the photographer will be among us or hiding down the road with his telephoto lens. So remember, although we are finely honed athletes, cheap topless shots will not meet with our family friendly ambitions. So please if you’ve got the Vinghoe shirt get it out for Sunday.

One last thing before I leave you. Now that Gerry has gone his cage is empty, I guess that makes him Gerry the Spacemaker.

Just a quick note to let you know that we have a new page on the website which those of you that use Twitter, or are looking for an excuse to find out what it all about might find interesting. A number of the Velos are using Twitter and given the social nature of the club we have compiled a list of the members we know about. If you have a Twitter account and would like to appear on the page, please do let us know your account name. The page is here – http://www.ivinghoevelos.org.uk/twitter-list

While we have your attention, we would also like to update you on the planned ride off-road on Thursday evening. We are planning on meeting a little earlier than our previous posting stated.
We are starting at Pistone Roundabout at 6:30pm, stopping at Ivinghoe library at 6:40pm then heading up to the Beacon car park for 7pm where we will launch into the woods of Ashridge. All abilities are welcome to join us.

Tuesday 7.00pm quick road ride from Pitstone Roundabout

Tuesday 7.30pm off road form Rushendon Furlong. Can be quite challenging from a technical perspective.

Thursday 7.00pm off road from Pitstone Roundabout. General trail riding suitable for most people.

All rides finish at the Rose and Crown………..Convenient I’d say. Don’t forget your new tops.

Wow, hard to believe that one year on, what started as a beer chat has now blossomed into the areas most successful cycle club. Whilst some may have been at Glorious Goodwood a few backs, just yesterday saw Ivinghoes’ own festival of speed, as we rejoiced in our first anniversary ride.

Over 80 riders gathered outside the Rose and Crown for the 45 mile 10 hills challenge. If it hadn’t been for the Beezers being on holiday our numbers would have exceeded 100.

As ever the Fatletes set a staggering time,  2 hours 43 minutes including tea and scones. Not only this but Andrew absconded to a rival cycle club on route to give them a fine demonstration in time trial sprinting. Many of us watched in awe at this excellant sporting spectacle.

On return to the Rose and Crown one of members was seen to be sweating. The only cure…………..rehydration. And where one of team goes, the rest follows. Usually this means an unforeseen cross country ride, but this time it meant the bar for some of Alistairs remarkable Isotonic Beers.  A big thank you to Maryse and Gareth for the generous buffet served at the same time.

 A huge thanks also to everyone who has joined us over the last year.

And so to this week, when the festival continues. Tuessday sees two rides:

On road 7.00pm from pitstone roundabout.

Off road 7.30pm. Be warned this can be a challenging ride!

Thursday off road details to follow later.

Enjoy, over and out.

Firstly a big thanks and well done to all those who tackled Sundays route. A challenging 27 miles with some big climbs. We promise that next weeks anniversary ride will be less challenging, but will be enough to work up a thirst. But for now some news on midweek rides from the Vinghoe Velos and Friends.

Tuesday road ride with Dave Howe. Leaves Pitstone roundabout at 7.00pm for a reasonably pacey ride, and knowing Dave the odd hill.

Tuesday of road leaving from Rushendon Furlong at 7.30. This is often challenging, but no one gets left behind.

Wednesday night road ride led by me from Pitstone roundabout. Route to be made up on the night, no off road!

And finally for those wanting to get their mountain bikes out, but not looking for something too challenging, John Hegarty will be heading out from Pitstone Roundabout at about 6.30 for a “softroad” ride. Lots of tracks but nothing too technical and a steady pace.

As ever all routes finishing at the R&C for replenishment.

Enjoy………………..

An evocative title by which to introduce this weeks news I am sure you will agree. For some the relentless pursuit to ensure that our soldiers, and their families, recieve fair recognition for the sacrifices they make for our country.

For others perhaps the slogan on the side of an Iceland articulated truck. Kerry Katona serving up the finest frozen fish fingers to her children, but now sadly sleeping in shop doorways under discarded card board boxes. Some say there is no justice in the world, but for those doubters surely this tale provides conclusive evidence that there is?

But tonight I talk not of these, but only of my hunger for those little chocolates….. Cadbury heroes.  And we don’t have any!

As ever this weeks post has nothing to do with cycling, however I think you will find the following link does.

Long Route

Short Route

One final note, a reminder that July 10 is the first Aniversary of the Vinghoe Velos, so please set aside some extra time to join the celebrations. More details to follow from our leader.

PS where is IT when you have a font problem?

Firstly, many thanks to everyone who ventured out on the ride yesterday. We enjoyed stunning weather and one of the fastest rides this year with an average speed of almost 14mph ! Spurred on by the success of the weekend ride, two mid-week rides are on offer for those who want to get in a little more practice before joining their respective Tour de France teams this weekend.

Tuesday 28^th June – road bike ride

Dave “The Hill” Howe is leading a road ride departing from the Pitstone Roundabout at 7pm. There is a bit of rain forecast but so long as it is isn’t chucking it down this will be a great ride for stretching your legs and clocking up a few miles.

Thursday 30^th June – mainly off-road ride in Ashridge

Our resident geek, John “Have you tried rebooting it” Hegarty, is planning on meeting a few pals for a leisurely paced ride through Ashridge.  The Velos are most welcome to join them. The starting point will be Pitstone roundabout at 6:30pm (passing by Ivinghoe Library at 6:40pm and Ivinghoe Beacon car park at 7pm if you want to join at any point on the way up to Ashridge).

If you want to get a hold of Dave or John for more info, you can find them on twitter via the links below –

Dave on Twitter

John on Twitter

And of course, don’t forget to follow our official Twitter account –

VinghoeVelos on Twitter

Firstly may I apologise to those of you that may have been confused by last nights post. I understand that many of you remain fans of the television series the Dukes of Hazard, and that as a consequence you were wondering why my post was addressed to Boss Hoggs’ dog,,,,,,,,Flash. Please let me re-assure that last nights post at 7.00pm was the news at 10.

And now at 8.45 on a Saturday evening I bring you breakfast news, without Fiona Bruce. Is she ever on Breakfast News? So what news do I bring you, well as promised the usual Sunday rides commencing at 3.00am.

So for those of you seeking a long route, this is the one to go for:

Long Route

For those of you looking for a shorter one can I suggest 16in wheels and adjustments to your saddle? No, okay try this………

Short Route

For those of you that may be further confused by tonights news I am sorry, but I make no apologies. Should you be concerned that I may be on Crack, Herion, Acid, Speed, Ecstacy I would like to confirm this is not the case. This is just a cheap attempt to get more hits on the website.

Enjoy your cream teas and I shall see you on Wednesday.

Bong

Bubbles Bembridge cancels tommorow afetrnoons beginner ride. Any reader seeing Bubbles at a bar tonight should make sure he gets nothing to drink.

Bong

Sunday rides as normal, details to follow.

Thanks for that Trevor.