Saturday 10am Tinsel Tea Ride

Some ideas for tomorrow, anyone not got their tree yet?
http://whatabikecando.com/holidays-by-bike/

It looks wet and windy tomorrow, make sure any tinsel is well secured and we can go off in search of mince pies.

10 am outside the Rose and Crown- waterproofs recommended.

Ho Ho Ho

14 sleeps until Christmas and more importantly 10 sleeps until the Christmas dinner!  Rumour has it that, as with any sell out gig, tickets are fetching way over face value on the ‘black market’!

Please remember Jayne needs your menu choices no later than Saturday 15th December, by email to jayne.raynor@ntlworld.com, to enable her to place orders with Gareth on Sunday 16th December (fear not if no choice is made you will get fed, but Gareth will decide!)

Looking forward to a great night!!!

Cycle safe!

Saturday 10 am Tea Ride

Meet at 10 am outside the Rose and Crown for a sociable ride around the countryside. We will go at the pace of the slowest rider, and aim to be back at the pub before midday for hot chocolate and cake or beer and bacon butties- what ever you prefer.

See you there.
Sally

Velos ride for Sunday 2nd December 2012

Ian showing us how to repair a chain ‘on the hoof’

Looks like it is going to be a dry but cold one tomorrow so time to get the thermals out.

As usual, we will be meeting at the Rose & Crown from 9:50am. Gary has promised to have a roaring fire ready to defrost us when we return from our adventures.

The Route

AWASH WITH FLOODING

Thanks to the acidic nature of polar bear urine, and a rather large bonfire in Ivinghoe every November, I understand that the polar ice caps are melting. As a consequence of this the river Bulbourne, and the Avon and Kennet canal, are now 7m above their normal levels. On the news we see people in a state of perpetual surprise as they try to protect their homes whilst some chap paddles by in his canoe offering to pick up their shopping.

For me this is as much of a surprise as snow in winter, and it seems rather odd that the poor soles seem to get caught out regularly when there’s a bit of excess water about. Just to be certain of my facts I’ve taken a look at Pathe News and I can confirm that whilst the Luftwaffe were busy knocking six bells out of old Londinium there people going past in their canoes. I’ve also taken a look at some of the cinema advertising from the 70’s, and what strikes me most, aside from the Pearl and Dean music, is the amount of canoes being sold.

So what can I deduce from this extensive research? Well flooding is not new. So to help out those affected by it, I’ve got a couple of tips to help you get by:

(1) It doesn’t matter how many sandbags you put outside your front door, the water is going to get in. You may feel heroic in your efforts, but they’ll be in vain. You’ve a couple of options, either move upstairs and leave the goldfish to it, or live on hill.

(2) If the water level is upto the car wheels, remember your vehicle is more like a submarine than a boat, so its time to stop and get out. The steering wheel and brakes don’t work underwater, unless you have a Lotus Esprit.

(3) Buy a canoe, at least then, when the news from nowhere near where you live, comes on you’ll get your 15 minutes of fame.

Now if your a Vinghoe Velo you’ll be made of hardy stuff, rivers and floods aren’t going to deter you. This is good news really because this weeks ride takes us through Andrew’s stream. Beware it be slippery on the bottom. Enjoy!

This weeks ride

Anyone for tea…?

Well, it might be forecast to be a little bit damp, but the Tea Ride goes forth regardless!

10am at the Rose & Crown… might be an idea to bring waterproofs tomorrow (wellies… sou’westers…. galoshes…. boat… that kind of thing…)

Any requests for a specific route, please bring those with you too.