I am sure that like myself many of you are mourning the loss of the legendary “Sir Jimmy”. Those of you that have been with the Velos for some time will know that Jimmy was an honourary founding member of our club, and today in true Telegraph Obituary style I would like to pay tribute to the man that Tina Turner described as “simply the best”. So please forgive me as I recollect a few of the mans fine achievements.

So where to start? Well firstly I would like remember his status as one of the most prolific marathon runners. A man who ran in clothes that you cooked the Christmas turkey in, and whose answer to a shortage of Oxygen was to light another of Cubas’ finest. Is this not an approach to fitness that embodies totally the philosphy of the Vinghoe Velos?  Let us also not forget that each marathon he started  he finished. Can the same be said of the bespectacled olympian athlete Paula Radcliffe?

But the man was not just a man running the streets, indeed there were many other aspects to this complex enigma. Long before the likes of Dave Lee Travisty, Tony Blackbum, and Noel Endaway were part of the radio establishment, young Jimmy was spinning the disks in northern clubs. Back in those days rock’n’roll roll was in it’s infancy and that the playing of pop music was considered subversive, and for those plugging their wares on Radio Caroline, submersive. Nonetheless, it was not long before the establishment recognised the talent of the great one, and gave him his own programme, Top of the Pops. Here we saw a young Jimmy at the top of his game, much like we see the Velos at the top of a climb. No matter how much a challenge, like the cream, Jim and the Velos rise to the top.

Jim was not just a radio or Television personality, he was a man ahead of his time. Earlier this year, if I recall there was a little wedding at the time, many of us embarked on a ride from Northampton to Ivinghoe. No of course like you I remember the rambling countryside, the fine lunchtime food and drink, and the gentle hills. But of course we had to get there, and as Jim said “this is the age of the train”,  indeed on that day the Victorian transport system delivered us in comfort and, unusually, on time.

Now Jim was not just a man of his time but also a man ahead of it. Whilst Brucie said “points make prizes”, long before this, on a Sunday lunchtime, Jim was offering “2 points for the Artist and one for song” but no prizes.  Is this not the first gameshow? And a metaphor for all that is good in the Velos? 

I have, of course, already mentioned the marathon running, and for many this is an end in itself, however for the blonde one it was more than a run in the park. Over a couple of thousand runs he raised more than the greek GDP, and only slightly less than Andrews bar bill at the Rose and Crown.

For many the achievements above would be more than they could deliver in a lifetime. For Jim? Of course not. Gucci, Chanel, Burbery, Westwood, all fashion icons of our time. Jim, yet again ahead of the game. When asked about his fashion role model, his fellow blinged up friend Mr T said “I aint flying with that crazy fool”.  When commenting on Jims radio show he also said “do it for the Jazz man, the Jazz”. Luckily for us he didn’t play Jazz.

Sportsman? That was Jim too. In the day when Geoff Boycott was batting at the pavillion end, Jim was busy leading the yorkshire cricket team at trent bridge. As the leather hit the wooden sticks, he would be heard to cry “Howz about zat zen?”. Due to a yorkshire problem with vowels the terraces now resonate with an abbrevaited “Howzat”.

Of course I could go on with the tributes, and for some I probably have done. So for now then, now then,

Good gracious, goodness gracious,

Howz about zat zen,

Goodness Gracious, Goodness Gracious,

This weeks ride:

Sir Jim

Fittingly the ride is 26 miles, so put on the bling and be there for Jim.

As our intrepid team prepare to set off on The Wild Edric, we are reminded of the need for serious winter training, but then our minds rapidly turn to the Christmas Festivities!!!

It may not be too late to get your names onto the list for the Vinghoe Velos Christmas dinner and for those already registered with our party organiser, jayne.raynor@ntlworld.com

please send your meal choices ASAP the menu can be viewed here

Jim is also trying to ascertain numbers to see if we can get a good value return coach for those that haven’t advised they would like to take this up at a cost of £10 per person please mail the site ASAP

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

Starting on Saturday 5^th November at 10am from outside the Rose and Crown and then weekly

The Vinghoe Velos Tea Ride will be a gentler ride than we do on Sundays, and will go at the pace of the slowest rider or wait at appropriate points. We will aim to cover between 10-15 miles (maybe a little more) according to the wishes of the riders who turn up. There should be someone to lead this ride most weeks, so maps shouldn’t be necessary. Occasionally there may not be a leader, and cyclists can use it as a meeting point to do their own ride. It is also our aim to stop for a cup of tea somewhere. The ride should be back at the pub by about 12noon (punctures permitting) for another beverage.  This ride should be suitable for anyone who hasn’t ridden a bicycle for a while, or is uncertain about trying to keep up on the Sunday rides. It is also a good extra ride if your Sunday is too busy for cycling.  All welcome.

This weeks Sunday rides as always meeting at the Rose & Crown at 0945

15 miles of frivolity

28 miles of fun

Christmas dinner approaches and we need to make even more commitments ASAP!!

jayne.raynor@ntlworld.com requires your meal choices ASAP please email her direct to sort

Transport manager Jim has arranged for a coach to leave Ivinghoe, pick up to at Dunstable and take us to dinner and then do the same return. The cost is £10 per person but commitment to this is required by the weekend by email to this site please.

For those still undecided whether to attend, get off that fence and contact jayne.raynor@ntlworld.com ASAP to see if we have more space!

Be safe out there

As the nights close in snows threaten and cycling becomes more of a minority sport our minds turn to the antics of GB cycling in the Netherlands and in particular the achievements of the GB ladies team including our very own VP.  Clearly the motivational talk from yours truly is what made the difference to enable the team to win gold!

Having dealt with the serious news we turn to matters less relevant.

As our ranks grow, we have had further requests for the lovely blue jersey.  Enquiries have been  made to our fashion house for the purchase of a new winter version of this much sought after jersey.  For the princely sum of £45 we can secure these provided we manage to get 10 orders in place.  I believe we may be up to 5 already but would ask that anyone who is interested in them registers their interest by email before we pursue this further as a minimum order of 10 will be required.

Watch out for news of Sally’s Saturday morning rides, coming shortly to a village near you!

Tomorrow we have for you:

27 Miles

14 Miles

Words cannot describe this weeks rides….

Long Route

Short Route

So ride ’em and weep.

The Velos tours continue with an International visit to Cuba where we checked out new bikes and accessories for everyone

So KITT is out of the bag and Jose and Andrew have to get miles in on their super new steeds as they get into training for London to Paris next year so tomorrow’s ride is just

30 miles

for those looking for less

20 miles

Other News:

Following the success of the Velos at the Wiggle Rut, rumours are rife of several people looking to enter the Wiggle Wild Edric  on Saturday 29th October featuring 59 miles that take you gently to the top of the most rewarding hills with some breathtaking views over Shropshire and Wales with safe sweeping descents to enjoy  for further details speak to John Hegarty

As previously reported Jose and Andrew have now signed up for London to Paris next year, hoping to see Cav again cross the line first on the Champs Elysees.  If anyone is interested in joining us we have entered the Vinghoe Velos team name and propose doing fund raising as a team effort to assist all in achieving the minimum amount.  Alistair has kindly already agreed to us doing a number of fund raising events in the R&C so watch out for further news of these!

To finish off the Cuban adventure

Be safe out there!

Good afternoon from Vinghoe Central, and welcome to this weeks news and rides.

So news first, well Mark Cavendish may have won the world championship, but he couldn’t beat the Wiggle Rut. For those of you unfamiliar with this annual sportive here’s a little more information for you. Long before the continental plates went their seperate ways this challenging ride formed a mountain stage on the Tour de France, but today thanks to those shifting plates it’s now firmly located somewhere near Leicester. Those wanting more precise  details on the start point should not contact John Hegarty as he beleives the start point was just north of Milton Keynes.

This challenging route is 74 miles long if you fancy a morning run, and for those wanting to go to lunchtime, there is the option of a 100 miler. Ever considerate, the vinghoe velos elected to take the shorter route so a not to intimidate those hardened professionals doing the longer one. As noted earlier this route is well known for it’s mountainous terrain, according to Andy Beezer even the slightest climb was a category 5. (I don’t know what this means either, I thought it was computer cable) In fact the route was so challenging even our own King of the mountain, Jim, succommed after 35 miles and decided to take a nap whilst still on his bike. With his stabilisers missing he quickly departed the road, and continued his sleep into the hawthorn bushes. For those of you that are concerned I can confirm there was no lasting damage to the bush. This meant that Jim was unable to complete the ride, although one kind velo offered to take his timing chip over the finish line so that he “could get a really shit finishing time”. Our team spirit remains ever strong.

This meant that having lost two riders before the start, one to Delhi Belly and the other to Man flu, we were down to seven riders. Still the strongest team entry in the competition. New tictacs were therefore needed, but we didn’t have any so Scottish Dave, and little Dave set off in pursuit of the quickest time, eventually crossing the line in a very respectable 4.51. The remaining five, Andy and Hannah Beezer, John Hegarty (navigator), myself and another bloke called Dave finished in 5.01 thus ensuring that the team trophy was awarded to Vinghoe Velos. We await delivery of the trophy to our headquarters, the Rose and Crown, which we are assured is in the post.

Despite our significant entry in the rut there was still a good turn out for our regular Sunday morning ride. So thanks to all those who led this ride, in the absense of some of the usual suspects. For this week, business is very much back to normal, with guaranteed tropical weather. One route only, but two groups so that there’s a pace suitable for all. Just to clarify that means slow and not quite so slow.

2 October ride.

Until tomorrow.

We have good news for our Velo members – prolonged negotiations with our contacts at the Met Office have resulted in us once again securing very decent Autumn weather for the ride this Sunday. In fact things went so well that they have agreed to make up for a lack of Summer this year by giving us an especially warm end of September week.

Numbers are likely to be a little down a little this week as some of our colleagues are pushing themselves well beyond their riding abilities by attempting the Wiggle Rut 74 mile ride around Oakham. We wish them the best of luck and have alerted the nearby emergency services. The normal ride goes ahead from the R&C at 9:50am and as is the new norm, we will have two groups – fast long and slower long – known as the flonger and slonger groups.

We would like to remind members that the Velos Christmas ‘bash’ for riders and their partners has been booked at the Old Hunters Lodge in Whipsnade on Friday 9th December 2011. The cost is £23.95 per head and a deposit of £10 per head is required to Jayne Raynor by 9th October – spaces are limited and many have already paid their deposits so please let Jayne know ASAP to avoid disappointment !

Advanced notice that some members are already casting their eyes toward 2012 and what challenges we can put in place to spur us on through the cold Winter ahead. Andrew is organising a group to test themselves in the London to Paris ride – if that is something that interests you please make yourself know to Andrew or Jose on Sunday the 9th when they return from their trip to see old pals Fidel and Raul.

As always, “Let’s be careful out there”.

Long Ride

Thanks to a strong turnout from the Vinghoe Velos last week the ladies only event was a fantastic event. In fact over 90% of the participants were on bycylces, and were joined by none other than Ms Victoria Pendleton. Unfortunately for VP the Vinghoe Velos were on home ground, and she struggled to keep up for much of the route, eventually stopping in  Ivinghoe Aston for refreshment and a thigh massage from Andrew. Whilst there she showed her keen observation skills by confirming that Andrew was indeed not a girl. Once revitalised she rejoined and completed the 25 mile course in a not too bad 27hours and 13minutes. Another world record, and a round of applause from the sealions. Well done to all.

And so to this weeks ride. Well the good news is that we won’t be going past Leighton Buzzard so we all stand a chance of making it back without having to put some tarmac down first. And the bad news? There is none. No just the usual flat ride out with a choice of two speeds. Slow for those that want to get round as quickly as possible, and leisurely for those that want to enjoy the country side. So hear goes:

Sunday ride