THE SEARCH FOR JACK

Many of you, I am sure, will have enjoyed Sundays’ ride and in particular the company of Sally and Andy Beezer. However, behind the smiles of this charming couple lies a story that would tug at heart strings made of steel.

Those of you that have been with us from the outset will remember their beloved son Jack, a young man who whilst lacking strength, agility and stamina was determined to join the pinnacle of cycling, the Vinghoe Velos. Now what Jack may have lacked in physical attributes was compensated for by an astute mind, that some have said would place him significantly near the top of the mammal food chain. But today I can confirm that he remains absent, and so today we ask you to help us find Jack. We are certain that with your help and our celebrity friends we can bring Jack back.

We have been fortunate to have Shaw Taylor amongst our midst and he offers the following insights:

“Jacks last known whereabouts was in the Brighton area, where he is believed to have been Studying. We also now that he is a keen Frisbee player, and spent much of his time avoiding lectures and heading out to the beach. We’d have liked to have shown you an up to date picture of Jack, but we believe his features have now changed, and the best we can give you is this latest Police reconstruction.

Does Jack now look like this.
Is this Jacks Frisbee?

So far a number of leads and theories have been investigated by the Brighton Constabulary. Firstly has he been kidnapped and forced to work in a cottage industry? Jacks parents think this unlikely as Jacks ability to slide under doors is renowned in the local public house.

Has he been abducted by the A team and forced to shoot up Mexican drug smugglers. With BA Barracus’s known fear of flying it is unlikely that they would have been able to have completed a long haul flight.

We couldn’t find BA but here’s his Jewellery supplier

Is it simply that Jack went out drinking one night and after one too many accepted a chocolate bar from an unlicensed mini cab driven by George Michael.? Did he end up slumped behind an air bag in shop doorway? Sally tells us that Jack was taught never to accept lifts from a man who is careless with his wispa!

Join me for a Spliffing ride

So if you think you can help please contact DCI Wibbly Wobbly at Brighton police station.

And remember keep ‘em peeled”.

Thanks to Shaw for his help.

Till next time keep.....................

Sally and Andy have asked the Vinghoe Velos for as much help as we can give and so today we announce the Ride for Jack. We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for several minutes to bring this event together and can confirm that the event has been given the royal seal of approval. Buck House has declared that April 29 will be Royal Wedding and Vinghoe Velo Ride for Jack Day.

Final route details and timings are still to be worked on by our team, however I can confirm that our intention is to catch a train from Cheddington to Northampton and cycle back. Friend to the stars and Velo Cartographer, Dave ‘Hill’ Howe has already looked at the map and offers this insight.

“Look as I hold this map up against the wall, Northampton is up here, and Vinghoe is down here. I declare the route to be down hill all the way!”

We are sure that you will want to join us on this momentous day, so please confirm your interest to Sally and Jack as soon as possible. Places are likely to be limited by the number of carriages on the train, so please respond quickly and support this family during these dark hours.

As a sign of his appreciation Andy has kindly donated several photos to the web site. Despite being taken with an Instamatic we are sure you’ll agree that these are of excellent quality. Normally in his professional capacity Andy would be selling these at £10 a print. But here today you can have them for free by simply using the copy and paste function on your computer. Just go to our about page.

So join us to help the Beezer family join up………………..

Spring is Here!

 
Well our Daffs are out!
As previously reported and noted by Gary last week, celebrities from around the globe are fighting to be a part of the Vinghoe Velos those spotted this week included a local publican and resident of Aston Clinton:
Crikey is that the Velos I see coming up behind me?!
and whilst in London, our local roving spy spotted:
I hear I need a nice new bike to join the Velos
hey Lordie the gear too please!
 Thats better!!!!
Anyway turning to this weekend, a number of rides to think about and picking up on feedback received, a slight cheat in repeating a ride of 6 weeks ago
LONG RIDE – 28 miles
22 Miles – a shorter version of the above
SHORTER RIDE -15 Miles
 
Finishing off today massive apologies, from the editorial team, to those people who have tried to contact us through the the email link on the website, sadly our IT skills were about as good as my cycle mechanic skills and we have only just worked out how to access the mailbox.  So here’s a shot taken a couple of months ago as ‘tea was taken’
Where to next?

Going forward this mailbox will be properly monitorred!!!

More riders, more new bikes!!!

How fantastic to see 15 riders gathering outside the R&C today at 2pm and well done and thanks to Dave & Sally sharing their knowledge and skills with fellow Velos!
Another array of new ‘priddy’ bikes on display with a lovely pair of his and hers Specializeds and a Boardman in white, any more to follow tomorrow we wonder?
With family commitments tomorrow Andrew & Jose won’t be playing out and send their apologies but look out for a possible ride to Gt. Missenden next week and more celebrities training for the Velos!

No Elitism at the Vinghoe Velos

Over the past few weeks you have been left in the very capable hands of Andrew, whilst I have continued my high altitude training in the French alps. Now recent posts or gossip may have led you to believe that I have a never ending cycle of vacations and Jollies. But let me reassure you this is far from true. The Olympics remain only a short distance away, and if I am to retain my medal status the arduous labour must continue. And this brings me onto todays post.

As ever the Vinghoe Velos remain dedicated to creating a club open to all. To borrow a title………………the peoples cycling club!  We continue to develop our ideas to meet the expectations of everyday people. Indeed it was only recently, whilst lunching at the Kings Head over an exquisite Aylesbury Duck, that a passer by lent in through the window and shouted “Gary, you are a man of the people go out there and bring the velos to the masses”. And so inspired by this mere mortal I ordered more wine before arranging for the chauffer to return us to the Rose and Crown.

So today our campaign starts, fellow velos get out amongst your friends. Remember it is not what you can do for your cycling club, it is what your club can do for. It is not the taking part that counts, but the winning. The bicycle is not for turning.

That last statement might not be correct.

And so me Homeez I bring you onto this weeks banging rides. Their Gangzsta!

Short Route

Long Route

Finally for those of you still in doubt take a look at some of our fellow cyclists to see the mass appeal of our club.

Andrew avoids the latest local ford

 

Common man joins the Vinghoe Velos
Boris leaves the Rose and Crown
Open to All!
Now on his Bike!

Spring is here?

So another week on and another nice new bike is hitting the roads this weekend!

Gary has returned from his travels with no broken bones and is designing some routes for Sunday, so watch this space.

Tomorrow, Saturday, sees Dave and Sally leading out an 8 mile ride for those either nervous on their nice new bikes or about road cycling leaving the R& C at 2pm.

Victims of our Own Success?!

So that’s the question that has been praying on our minds. 

We remain committed to trying to encourage people of all abilities to cycle and also and perhaps most importantly to do so with confidence and respect for other road users (yes even those people in cars!).  We believe cycling should be an inclusive and social activity and that is how we intend to continue to take things forward.

Last week was I believe a great learning for many people and sadly was not as organised or as smooth as we might have wanted and from it we ask:

  • Everyone to take just a little time to study the preplanned route of your choice
  • Start together and stick with the the group you chose to go out with, should you choose to leave the group please advise the nominated group leader
  • As most of us are car drivers too, remember the Velos do not own the road and every effort is made to keep us to ‘b’ roads wherever possible
  • PLEASE try and arrive at the R&C for 0950, we aim to set off at 1000 not meet at 1000

Apologies for the sermon but we are simply picking up on feedback in an effort to maximise everyone’s enjoyment. ALL FEEDBACK desired and welcome

So to this weekend; we will set off from the R&C at 1000 on Sunday and as an experiment the 2 routes will go off and follow completely seperate routes.

LONG ROUTE – 26 miles designed by Dave B but borrowing Dave H’s ‘flat route planning tool’! One for ‘Mountain Goat Beezer’ and ooh think I may have a flattie!

SHORTER ROUTE – 15 miles not designed by Dave B!

Finally as part of our aim to promote cycling please look at this CYCLE CHALLENGE starting next month and yes there are prizes to be had! Anyone wishing to ask questions on this should speak to Sally B

Last piece of feedback was “not enough pictures” to show what we are about, so here we go!  All contributions welcome for future publication

Happy Valentines Day

Share the love with the Vinghoe Velos!

The weather took its toll yesterday but still 7 people braved the wind and rain!

This weekend will see Dave B leading out his saturday ride leaving the R&C at 2pm for an 8 mile jaunt around the local area.

On Sunday, as usual seeting off from the R&C we aim to cover 2 routes and thanks to Andy B for the routes!

LONG ROUTE – 26 miles

SHORTER ROUTE – 16 miles 

Lets hope the weather picks up!

Vinghoe Veloes Valentines Ride

So here we go, not much to report on this week except that the Rugby is kicking off in 20 minutes! So here we go……. meeting as usual on Sunday at 10am at the R&C, bringing a friend (hangover optional)!! we will travel though only 2 counties but pick up some GREAT views!

LONG RIDE – 22 miles

SHORTER RIDE – 15 miles

Bring your rain coats!

Record Breakers!

Its zero degrees its a Sunday in January and we managed to break records……..24 cyclists travelling through 3 counties on 3 different routes…….FANTASTIC!

Yes the Vinghoe Velos story continues to grow!  Watch this space for exciting news about a NATIONAL PRO cycle event passing through the village and girls its time to step up the training, rumour has it the boys will only be able to man the refreshment stop (Jack in drag maybe?!).

2pm today sees many of  us meeting at the Rose and Crown, well sort of, the keen amongst us are going to watch Italy v Ireland in the 6 Nations, to try and recover from the Jaegarmeisters from last night whilst Dave B will be leading out an 8 mile introduction to road cycling ride.

Tomorrows rides for those who are wanting to know where we are going! (Yes there are HILLS this week!)

LONG – 23 Miles

SHORT – 14 Miles