Yes Sunday is rapidly approaching and thoughts turn to Sunday morning and the meeting of the Velo.  Despite there being an eating and drinking fest occurring before that and much Tesco shopping needed we plan to meet as usual.  In light of the weather our intrepid ‘lead out’ man is getting on his road bike today to test the conditions.  If it is felt the conditions are not great for cycling we thought a festive walk to the Beacon to work on the ‘hangover’ would be appropriate, still meeting at 10am and arriving back at the R&C for a cheeky ‘livener’.  We will confirm the plan on-line tomorrow.

Wishing you all a great Christmas

The Velos

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

As England march on in Adelaide thoughts turn again to cycling and the mighty velo!
Whilst we have witnessed an overnight frost the forecast is still slightly chilly for tomorrow morning so we are hoping that any ‘early birds’ doing the route before ten will have a gritter hopper on the back and clear the path for the rest of us.

Thoughts also turn to Christmas as it rapidly approaches, we are planning to continue the tradition of our Sunday morning rides over the festive season so encourage visiting friends and relatives to bring their bikes and join us.

Look out also for the ‘Red Lion’ ride early in 2011 which will take place on a Saturday taking in a number of establishments, yes you’ve guessed it, that aren’t tea rooms! Finishing at the Rose and Crown to meet family and friends.

So enough of the rambling and on to tomorrow, following a hugely impressive turn out of 12 last week we are revisiting a previously used route, one not too challenging and as such only one.

Sunday route 23 miles

Keep cycling!

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!

Heres hoping you have all enjoyed your Pumpkin Pie and Soup and are looking forward to the fireworks tomorrow!

Last Sunday saw yet another tremendous turn out with 15 cyclists out to try the rides.  The short ride even including a stop for a cup of tea and a ‘cheeky’ slice of chocolate cake!  It really is fantastic to see new faces each week and I hope everyone will continue to spread the word!  Rumour has it that long hair is not best suited to cycling in the rain but it was good to see Ian in the pub after!

As always the time is 10:00am on Sunday and the place is the Rose & Crown, so brush off your bikes or for those sneaking out to buy that ‘go faster’ road bike take off the bubble wrap and see you there.

Long Ride – 24 miles                  Short Ride – 15 miles

Guys

Challenging ride last week so hopefully a bit less arduous this week!!! (Blame Gary when it is no easier!)

As usual meeting 10am on Sunday at the R&C

HALLOWEEN HOWLER -21 Miles

HALLOWEEN STUBBY – 14 Miles

As always protective headgear recommended:

Look mout for the new ‘go faster’ chain on Gary’s bike!

Cheers

Good morning all

Looks like winter may finally be on us as we scrape the windscreens first thing in the morning and we look forward to a great range of winter fashion!

Great to see some ‘new’ riders join us last weekend and thanks for the comments posted after Sunday’s ride.

Tuesday night saw Gary trying to out do Andrew & Jose, falling off and 3 punctures all in one ride, not bad!

We have recently been contacted by Leighton Buzzard Cycling Club – they also run a number of rides and for those interested in being challenged by a faster longer route on a Sunday they do the Le Tour De L’Buzzard  (impressed that they think they can start at 0930 and be back by 1030, Mark Cavendish watch out!!!!)

SATURDAY 23rd October

Gary will be heading out at 14:30 from the ‘award winning’ Rose and Crown on a ‘Soft Raod’ (sic.) ride.  This won’t be too challenging but you will need a mountain/hybrid bike!

SUNDAY 24th October

As usual meeting at 10:00 (hangovers optional! 🙂 ) at the R & C to tackle one of two routes

LONG ROUTE – 28 Miles This route is recommended by Dave H who hopefully will be here to show us the way!

SHORT ROUTE – 15 miles

Look forward to seeing you all!!!