Category Archives: rides

A JOLLY RIDE OR TWO FOR SUNDAY

Welcome to this weeks installment from the worlds favourite website. In the week that Bin Laden became Bin and Gone we are reminded of the missing members of our own group. If the might of Uncle Sam can take 10 years to track down a man with a dodgy beard, how are we to find Jack? Some have said that had Bin Laden been waving a Union Jack those boys from across the pond would have got him a lot quicker with a bit friendly fire. But we’re not here to shoot Jack.

So how can an elite group of athletes from a training camp in Ivinghoe track down one of its flock with just grit and determination? The answer is were not going to. The Frisby fiend will return when he’s good and ready. And that leaves us to concentrate on the more important matters, like this weeks rides.

So here they are:

Long route

Short route

Finally before I sign off from this weeks rubbish, I’d like to add a few thanks for last weeks Northampton ride.

So the first goes to Andy Beezer for the excellant route planning, and the second goes to Sally for ensuring an excellant lunchtime venue.

Whilst on the subject of lunch thanks also to the Bell In at Beachamton who managed to provide an excellant lunch to 18 of us all at the same time.

And a final thank you to all those that made the ride together with their friends who had not joined us before.

Please remember to print a few maps of for this weeks rides, and when you’ve finished with them just chuck them in the brabantia, if you haven’t thrown it out yet.

Crazy Sheep and Thunderbolts……..

…couldn’t stop the stately progress of the (i)vinghoe Velos from Northampton Station
What no fascinators?!
 back to the Rose & Crown. The day had everything; delayed trains, sunshine, thunder, hail, great food, beer and sheep herding (though not very successful). A big thanks for to everyone (19 in total) who came along and made it such a fun day. It was impressive that people still waited for others to catch up in the thunder and hail. We were very pleased to welcome guest riders Ian, John, Alistair, Alice and Damian (sorry if names mis-spelt).
Toasting the happy couple!

God Save the Queen!

Fascinators and posh frocks

So D Day is here for the Wills and Kate and thios was best borought home to us when visiting the the R & C last night and noting that on one of the pumps it declares that “Kate loves Willy”! Whilst the press may be reporting that Willy popped out to meet his adoring ‘fans’ last night can you be sure this wasn’t him oustide the R&C meeting the Vinghoe Velos?

Saturday 30th sees Dave B leading out an 8 mile ‘beginners’ ride from the R&C, a great opportunity to ride with a qualified cycling instructor (or 2!) for those people nervous about riding on the road.

On Sunday 1st May we will be meeting at the R&C at 0945 to head off at 10am with a choice of 2 delightful routes for you

LONG RIDE – 27 miles (a Dave Howe special!)

SHORTER ROUTE – 14 miles

Not forgetting of course that if you get a move on you can still make it to Northampton for the Beezer ride back to the R&C today!

Shall we just do the Northampton Ride dear?

Just a quick reminder:

 Andy Beezer is organising a ‘leisurely ride’ from Northampton to Ivinghoe on April 29th. Total distance is 41 miles with a break for lunch at the The Bell Inn, Bechampton after 21 miles. If you would like further details then please email Andy at andy.beezer@softeksoftware.co.uk

Of course this has left many people in dilemma about what to do as was spotted seeing the lovebirds warming up for a lifetime ‘in the saddle’!

Blimey best get a move on might miss rehearsals

Take time to soak up the beauty!

What beautiful rides on Sunday, allowing 25 of us  to enjoy beautiful weather, superb company and time to soak up the beauty of the Bluebell Woods before finishing off with rehydration in the Rose & Crown!

Yes they all had bikes with them!

ROYAL WEDDING, WHAT ROYAL WEDDING?

No street party to go to or simply want to avoid the telly, Andy Beezer is organising a ‘leisurely ride’ from Northampton to Ivinghoe on April 29th. Total distance is 41 miles with a break for lunch at the The Bell Inn, Bechampton after 21 miles. If you would like further details then please email Andy at andy.beezer@softeksoftware.co.uk

Bluebells and Chocolate

So another week goes by the Bluebells are out and it is the weekend of copious amounts of chocolate to be eaten!  Nothing too much to say but crikey 31 people out last week!  With that in mind we have for you this week a ride with the opportunity to stop and admire the bluebells while you eat your chococolate!

BLUEBELL RIDE -24 Miles

BLUEBELL & CHOCOLATE RIDE -14 mile

Particularly in light of the weather please arrive for 0950 briefing for a prompt 10am start.  Ensure you bring plenty of water and sunblock on!

Last weeks record  ‘turnout’ of 31 riders was not only a record but also reinforced the need for everyone to take responsibility for themselves.  Please do try and digest the routes before we leave and remember to cycle with due consideration to all road users!

Have fun!

 

“I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying.”   Crikey when I read this quote from Greg Lemond I realised how satisfied I must be!
Thinking of quotes it made me think of ones received this week regarding the proposed Vinghoe Velos Jersey and our possible conclusions:
“not too much of a freakish colour or wording” 
Counts this option out!
“one accomodating the female form”
We thought this might fit the bill!
“an appropriately stylish design”
With the appropriate body to wear it!
“please ditch the Cycling Borat (un)manlykini”

Is it really worth a divorce case? hmmmmmm maybe!
Seriously we do take all feedback on board and the design work continues and watch this space next week to see where we are heading!
This weekend there will be a ‘beginners’ ride heading out from the R&C at 2pm on Saturday, an ideal opportunity to get to know road cycling with qualified instructors.
On Sunday meeting at 9:50am we will head off from the R&C at 10am with 2 rides to chose from
LONGER RIDE – either 22 or 27 miles
SHORTER ROUTE  – 14 miles
Look forward to seeing everyone!

Enough of Rubbish, Lady Boys and Egg Shells!!!

Ebenezer and Albert Fox were twins and would have rightly been described as two of the most loveable old rogues in Hertfordshire. However, the local landowners and magistrates would not have agreed for the twins made a career out of poaching. They appeared before the courts numerous times, but never together. Being twins they made valuable use of this, making sure that the other would be seen at the time of the crime and act as the perfect alibi.

However, legend has it that on one occasion, Ebenezer pleaded guilty and it was made in such circumstances that the magistrates suffered one of their greatest humiliations. It began in the pub of a friend when Fox overheard a conversation between two gentry who had previously arrived in a crested coach with liveried footmen. As soon as he heard them mention shooting and firearms he broke into their conversation and impressed them with his insight and knowledge of the subject. The shorter of the two gentlemen who was bearded became intrigued and started to question Fox who eventually sat at their table. It was at that point that Ebenezer discovered that he was talking to no other than the King of England himself. It was much to be said of King Edward VII that he could find a common interest with one of his humblest of subjects, but there is more to be said for the effrontery of the Hertfordshire poacher who was not in the least bit perturbed by the disclosure. In fact the discussion ended with Fox climbing into the king’s carriage. He was being driven off to shoot with the highest of the realm!

The very same day a local gamekeeper disturbed a poacher who escaped, but he saw enough of the man to see that he was Ebenezer Fox. In front of the court the magistrates were astonished when Fox agreed that he had been shooting that day, but then denied that he had not been on Mr Hale’s land. He also said that he had a witness to prove it. ‘He’ll be one of your kind’, the chairman said. ‘If you mean was he along o’ me, course he was’, said the accused. ‘We was shooting together, in fact he took me your honour’, he went on. ‘So if you were not on Hale’s land where were you’, asked the Magistrate. Ebenezer furnished the name of the landowner whose estate was near Biggleswade. It was an impressive name and the bench felt sure that such a gentleman would never tolerate the likes of Fox on his preserves. ‘What is the name of your accomplice’, asked the Chairman. ‘Ah’, said Ebenezer, making the most of the occasion, ‘he is a little better off than me. Like as not you will let him off and I’ll do time’. ‘You will both get your desserts’, the Chairman assured him. ‘Who was it?’ ‘If you please, your honour, it was His Majesty the King, God bless im’.

At that moment a distinguished figure entered the courtroom to gasps and bewildered head shaking. When at last the Chairman looked once more at the prisoner he did so with a scarlet face; it was with difficulty that he managed to utter ‘The case dismissed’.

So you ask yourselves what on earth has this got to do with cycling?  The answer is nothing more than I saw Gary coming home with a mini keg of Tring Brewery’s finest

Rehydration for cyclists!
and you now know the story behind it!
Well done to all those who completed the Chiltern Challenge, although we were disappointed to know that no one completed 75 miles (it only being 72.72 miles we are relaibly informed!).  Please do let us know your stories for posting on here.
With so many riding out of Aylesbury we were surprised to still have 8 people out last week and the new bikes on display continue, we look forward to seeing the new Scott that was out in Aylesbury in all of its glory, that assuming anyone can keep up with it!
This weeks rides can be found in last weeks post as we actually went a different way altogether!
Have fun!