…….
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.

The weather forecast for Sunday isn’t that good, but we Velos are hardy souls so here are three rides to choose from.

9am start, 50 miles

10am start, 30 miles

10am start, 15 miles

We depart from the Rose and Crown in Ivinghoe at the time stated above. Please bring a copy of your chosen ride with you.

……………… 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!

Three easy rides to break you into the New Year nice and gently. All rides will be at a relaxed pace to ensure no one gets left behind regardless of how long they have been off the bike over the holiday period.

9am start, 50 miles

10am start, 34 miles

10am start, 20 miles

As always, please bring a copy of your chosen route and arrive 10 minutes before the departure times stated above.

Meet at the Rose and Crown for tea, cake and cycling adventures. Check the weather….it may be foggy, so lights and bright clothing, maybe off road bikes?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo, (Dave, Ian , Sally, Sarah, “insert name here”)
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld 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.

CHORUS

We two have cycled about the slopes,
and rolled along lanes fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary mile,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have pedalled through the stream,
from morning sun till down;
But miles between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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.

A very Merry Christmas to all of our Ivinghoe Velos Riders.

Dave “One Ring” Howe has suggested that we go for a “Not the 9 O’clock Ride” tomorrow (the 26th December, Boxing Day) . 25 gentle miles starting at 10am from the Rose and Crown and back before midday. Route to be decided on the day, but will head out towards Owlswick. He promises “nothing too quick or hilly”.

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

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Velos Christmas gathering on Friday. It was great to see so many of both the Saturday and Sunday riders enjoying a bite and a beverage together.

This week’s rides –

9am, 43 miles. This ride will include the “Ivinghoe Aston Hill Freewheel Challenge”. The winner will be the rider who gets the furthest without peddling from the top of Ivinghoe Aston Hill.

10am 36 miles

10am 22 miles

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.