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!
Take time to soak up the beauty!
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”
“one accomodating the female form”
“an appropriately stylish design”
“please ditch the Cycling Borat (un)manlykini”
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!
mmmmmmm LYCRA
So following on from lots of queries about getting a Vinghoe Velos cycling kit, much research has been done, in real terms if we are to progress it we will need a minimum order of 10 of each item and once an order is placed it will take c. 6 weeks for delivery.
At this stage could people please indicate whether they would be SERIOUSLY interested in purchasing a Vinghoe Velos cycling jersey, with short sleeves and 3/4 length zip. With the help of oour sponsors we intend to have the price of these, fashion leading, jerseys to less than £35 per jersey and should anyone know of anyone that would like their company name displayed by a group of ‘athletes’ all approaches are welcome. If like me there are people who like the ‘mankini’ feel and would like some bib shorts please also let us know. The intention will be to make the jersey design compatible with black shorts anyhow
To move this forward ASAP, please send your expressions of interest to admin@ivinghoevelos.org.uk.
Great rides yesterday thanks guys!
FRIED CHICKEN
Firstly apologies for the late posting of tomorrows rides.
Secondly let me give you tomorrows rides:
So there, by way of a change nothing but cycling this week!
Some fried chicken would be nice!
Enough of Rubbish, Lady Boys and Egg Shells!!!
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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  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!
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Brabantia Bins
Firstly let me apologise to those of you who are grappling with an overload of new hormones and thoughts of an ideal world, for today’s jottings may not be on your plateau. If this applies to you then please stroll down the page where you will find the juicy bits.
But for those of just waking up, perhaps nursing a slight headache and contemplating frying a freshly delivered egg, then this may be for you. Now there was once a time when the kitchen bin was just that. It either sat behind a cabinet door collecting rubbish until such time that you could not shut the door, or it was a simple plastic affair that sat in the corner where its white lid quickly collected tea stains from the teabag being removed from your cup.
Now thanks to those wonderful people at Brabantia we have a style icon for the kitchen. These carefully designed, stainless steel garbage containing vats come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit all kitchens and lifestyles. For those of you looking to help save the planet, there is the twin compartment model that allows you to segregate your compost from your landfill.
But before you rush off to snap up one of these visual delights I advise caution, for the Brabantia bin comes with a health warning similar to one given for a holiday in Thailand. Whilst that maid you have recently hired may delight upon the eye with a fine female form, once you get inside the pleasant exterior you may find more bits than you were bargaining for. And this brings us to the nub of the problem, the inside of the bin. Whilst the outside has been carefully designed it is on the inside that you will find your problems.
Once you have exhausted your first supply of rubbish bags your shopping dilemma will occur. You will have carefully disposed of the box in which the bin arrived and thus be unable to remember which bin you have, or what size it is. You will be looking at the shelves in Waitrose or Tesco and see a variety of different bags and sizes. Eventually you will have to guess on the bags to take home.
If you have selected correctly then you will be spared a return visit to the shops for some time, where you will again have to face the above dilemma. Should you have selected incorrectly you will be faced with a further dilemma. Either the bag will be too small and you will spend hours trying to stretch it to fit your bin, or it will be to big at you will be trying to hide the over flowing plastic such that it doesn’t ruin the sight lines of your latest kitchen accessory. Ultimately you will end with a kitchen draw full of unwanted bags and another trip to the shops.
So now let’s assume you have overcome these challenges, or you are simply using your bin for the first time. You will be regularly filling the bin until such time as it appears full. This will be at night time, probably after dinner and you won’t be wanting to take the contents outside to that ugly green thing. So you will squash some more into the Brabantia and this will continue until such time as you are forced to remove the bag from inside. Now those of you familiar with the inside will now that within the outer steel bin lives a plastic one that you pull out via a concealed handle. Once the plastic bin is removed you are then able to remove the plastic bag containing all your compressed rubbish. And here we get to the heart of the matter. As you pull the bag out, it will drag across the handle and tear leaving much of your flippin rubbish all over the kitchen floor!
So there, proof indeed, that at the Vinghoe Velos we talk rubbish.
Now to the juicy bits as promised above……… this weeks rides.
Firstly the Iain Rennie ride takes place tomorrow. If you have not already registered then entry is now closed. Good luck to all those taking part.
Now before I leave you to enjoy the rest of the weekend I bring you news of another money spinner. If you are enjoying those fresh eggs delivered by Andrew and Jose then this is for you. As you know they now have 12 chickens and egg production is now at an all time high, such that they have a shortage of shells.
So when you’ve cracked that shell open, don’t discard into that shiny new bin. No simply pop up to the Rose and Crown on Friday night where Andrew and Jose will refund you 5pence for each returned shell. The healthy alternative to returning fizzy drinks bottles!
Hey its not every week you get bins, lady boys, eggs and cycling in one article. That should get our numbers up on a google search!
That’s all folks!
CHILTERN CYCLE CHALLENGE
For those planning to enter the Ian Rennie Ride it is not too late to register please see the link in the previous mailing. Dave H is suggesting that the Vinghoe Velos ‘muster’ at the Coffee Shop in the Square for pre-ride ‘warm up’!
For those not doing the above ride the intentionis that rides will elave as normal at 10:00am on Sunday from the Rose and Crown for more cycling adventures through the 3 counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, watch this space for more news! More importantly the chance to see more nice new shiny bikes joining the ‘peloton’!
Have a great week!
Planning, Planning, Planning
Gosh we’re all busy planning more exciting adventures with the Velos.
Gary has headed to France again planning a possible summer jaunt to France for us all
Whilst Jose is out planning a ‘girlie’ ride with
This is sure to be a great event for the local area and Jose is working hard with the organisers to make it an inclusive event and that we are well represented watch this space for more news and for volunteering opportunities!
As you can imagine, not to be out done Andrew is heading to the NIA in Birmingham for the weekend to check out some support acts for Cycletta and something for the boys!
and yes Jose will be there to keep an eye on him!
Three down and more to go, the Beezers continue the ‘search for Jack’, so Andy cannot make it out on Sunday although Sally has kindly agreed to give up some of her time to lead the LONGER RIDE of 23 miles whilst a SHORTER ROUTE of 14 miles is also planned. Several riders have hung their bikes up and headed off for the annual walking weekend so local drivers should be able to drive easier!
Don’t forget today’s beginners ride which again departs from the Rose & Crown at 2pm led by Sally, a great opportunity for new riders to get better aquainted with the roads with a fully accredited cycle instructor, thanks Sally.
Next Sunday sees many people joining the
Click on the logo to go the site for more details and to register, please do register as ‘Vinghoe Velos’ as the team name as even though we dont plan to ride as a team, the recognition is always good.
So another week of drivel nearly over and time to get on your bikes with the final spots from your roving reporter being
On way to meet the Velos asking “do I need a basket on the front for my Coke?”
Whilst hot foot from down under to see his antipodean pals
