And we’re not talking Jack Frost here. No we’re talking Jack Beezer. Those of you that joined us for the early rides will remember the pie munching Mcdonalds mascot who was last seen somewhere in Ashridge failing to keep pace with his mum and dad. Well the media frenzy is over, the anguish of the vinghoe velos is over………………….Jacks back. Those of us fortunate enough to enjoy our recent rides were rewarded  with the first sighting for 4 months. Surely an event to rival any christmas miracle. However all is not good news, as his appearance was brief, and it was clear that he had been living rough in the woods for some time. He was still wearing his summer cycle clothes, and it was clear that the lack of pies had clearly diminished his once mighty Mr Creosote physique. Those of you cosidering charitable deeds could do no better than to randomly throw pork pies around the forest. Lets just hope he keeps foraging. And for those of you feeling overly generous please throw him a satnav in the hope he may eventually return home.

So to this weeks ride, which I am sure you have all been holding your breath for. The first mile munching ride that has no hills whatesover, a ride not created by Dave “Hill” Howe. No this is the Talking Heads route………………………the road to nowhere! Yep the heatwave has finally taken its toll and we have taken the rare decision not to organise a ride tomorrow. 

So our next ride will be boxing day, and for those that we don’t see before Christmas, we wish you an enjoyable festive season, and trust that you will honour the traditions of our club by having a few isotonic ales. Melly Chlismas!

At last the hurricane season has finished and the traditional warm autumn weather has returned. Christmas is now approaching fast and I have good news to cheer you on your way. The Olympic comittee have confirmed that Turkey and Christmas Pudding are the finest superfoods available and should be included in every athletes training programme. Beware though sprouts are on the banned substance list because of their performance enhancing properties. This dates back to the moscow olympics when the stadium doors were opened for the russian javelin throwers, who set new records with the wind assistance.

And so sticking with the christmas theme, I am sure you will all be thinking of your trees. So what better than riding past a few? Bring your chainsaw in case you see one you like!

12 December 2010 Ride

Whilst Barbados struggles under 15feet of snow, here in the uk temperatures remain at a lofty 25 degrees. Over the past few weeks we seemed to have conquered the mighty Hastoe at almost every opportuntiy, despite the soaring temperatures. It cannot be long before the Olympic committee comes knocking on the door, looking for the fine athletes among us. Our Intense training and diet schedule is now paying dividends and we remain true to our principles. Remember at all costs avoid the Ovaltine.

And so to this weeks news, and firstly the Saturday Jolly Jaunts run by Dave Bembridge, and Sally Beezer. For those of you new to us, these rides which take place every other Saturday are a leisurely ride of around 7 miles and offer a great introduction to those who’ve been away or just fancing something a liitle gentle. However, by popular request, these are now going to take place at 2.00pm.

And now onto Sundays ride. Well here’s the good news, Hastoe Hill is not on the route, and Dave (Hill) Howe has not created it. So at long last a route with almost no climbs and lots of descents. That’s probably a bit of lie, but this route should be a little easier. When taking a look at the route you will notice that it flips back on itself a couple of times, so if your plotting it on a gadgety thingame bob watch out.

So here it is.

28 November 2010 Ride

Welcome to yet another late posting from the vinghoe velos. Busy schedules this week have left us all with a shortage of time. So for this week we are returning to one of our early rides. Early apologies for the inclusion of Hastoe Hill, but I’m sure the ride from the top will as always make it worthwhile. Here’s the link for those of you with the technical gear.
Sunday long route

Good evening fellow Velos, and welcome to this weeks ride details. Dave Howe has very kindly prepared this weeks route and has promised to repair the Altimeter which clearly affected the the selection of his previous route. In a nutshell he has promised that the selected ride is on a flat route, and should anybody consider that any of the gradients are excessive, he has promised to replenish their thirst at the Rose and Crown afterwards. Good on yer Dave!

For more details on the ride please take a look at Daves post. For those just interested in the map here’s the link. http://gb.mapometer.com/en/cycling/route_904083.html

See you Sunday!

Welcome to this weeks update, apologies for the late posting. Those keen readers amongst you will have seen that I intended to do a soft raod route for Saturday afternoon, however due to a touch of Delhi Belly I have elected to continue with the Sunday rides only. Apologies to those of you looking for a muddy ride out, I will arrange an alternative very soon. So what is happening this weekend?

Well first the good news for those of you that like the gentle Saturday ride out with Dave Bembridge, well it’s that Saturday again. However this week Dave is unavailable, so Sally Beezer will leading this ride. For those of you that have not been out on these rides before, it is a gentle stroll of about 7-8 miles that really does cater for all. Start as usual is 11.30 from outside the Rose and Crown.

And for those of you taking part on Sundays ride, as ever two rides are on offer. For this week we are revisiting two rides undertaken during August. They can be found here:

Short route

Long Route

See you all Sunday 10.00am at the Rose and Crown.

Following from our earlier post I am pleased to confirm times for these visits, both of which take place in the courtyard garden.

Kids course 10.00am

Adults 12.30am.

Each session lasts around two hours. Food and bar facilities available after each session. I am advised that there are three spaces left on each session, so if you weren’t previously sure and would now like to attend please turn up at the relevent time slot.

More Awards for the Vinghoe Velos

Welcome to this weeks update for the Vinghoe Velos. This weekend we have two events to entertain and delight you. But before I go onto these I’d like to thank those of you who managed to get out with us last weekend in the slightly moist conditions. Luckily for Dave Bembridge, and his river routes, we had the Mclaren pit crew with us, as Jose achieved a world record for punctures on one ride. Roy Cattle and Norris McSquewter shall be updating the Butcombe book of world records. And now onto this weekend:

(1) Sam the Mechanics visit to the R&C on 9th October 2010.

As published recently here the time has now come. Bring out the wrecks, and Raleigh Tomohawks. In  no time at all you’ll have them back in pristine condition for our next concours meeting. I shall check with Dave the times and update later.

(2) Rides for Sunday 10 October 2010.

A choice of three rides are on offer this week. As usual we shall be starting from the Rose and Crown, however we shall be tagging onto a charity ride out of Albury that departs around 10.30 from New ground road. The choice of routes from here cover 8, 16, or 27 miles, and as those of you who have picked up the recent posts will see, cover familiar areas.

There has been a suggestion that due to the expected number of riders we start at an earlier time, however I am concerned that some people may not have picked up on the recent posts, so I would suggest we DEPART AT OUR USUAL TIME OF 10.00AM.

And now to the routes:

Family Route

16 mile route

27 mile route

There is a £3 entry fee for local charities, so I would suggest we do as the Robin Hood ride and make a donation. Weather for this weekend is forecast to be back to our normal conditions, fantastic sunshine. Bring on the sun cream!

And finally some advance warning for Saturday 16th October 2010. I will be unavailable for the Sunday ride that weekend, so for those of you looking for a  bit of “soft roading” I shall taking a group out from about 2.30. This won’t be too challenging but you will need a mountain/hybrid bike. More details to come next week.

See you all over the weekend.

Good afternoon fellow velos and welcome to this weeks pedalathon around the Chiltern Plaines. This weekend our man in the sky has slept all week and I have been unable to arrange our usual summer weather. So for this week I have only planned one route, a sort of in betweeny distance. This should allow us to return back reasonably quickly should things deteriate or if I can wake the old fella up, add a few extra miles should we feel like it. As ever the route is available via the following link. 3 Oct Route. See you all Sunday Morning.

And a further reminder that Dave Bembridge will be doing his short cycle tomorrow morning leaving the R&C at 11.30 am.

Please also remeber that the 10 October 2010 ride will be the charity ride from Aldbury. Full details will be issued early next week.

Welcome to this weeks rides, as usual there are two on offer starting from the Rose and Crown. Our first ride can only be compared to the three peaks challenge, except that there is no walking, or transport arranged between peaks. Oh, and there might be more or less than 3 peaks, and they won’t be so high. Otherwise the long ride is very similar. This route exhilerates for almost 24 miles leaving, little time to appreciate the wild flowers at the side of the road. Surely another challenge too far for Jack!

And now for the short ride, aka the twin peaks challenge, again remarkably not similar to anything by a similar name. This route meanders for a gentle 13 miles, through some of the most dramatic and breathtaking British countryside. Be sure to take it gently so as not to miss anything!

As ever fabulous weather has been arranged. Please take a look at our new local forecast. And on our return, the Rose and Crown is pleased to announce the addition of Bacon Rolls to its menu. Remember this is valuable source of carbs and should be consumed in the “golden hour”. 

And one more matter before you all nod off reading this dribble, don’t forget to let Dave know if you will be attending any of the visiting mechanic sessions, so that numbers can be concluded.