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.

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.

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

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!

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!

Not sure who will be out the wind really is pretty unfriendly!

Thanks for Sue for advising of MUD ON THE ROAD so the

LONG ROUTE

has been amended slightly.

Have fun!

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

So who said spring was here?

Another great turn out last week and another 3 ‘new’ Velos, please remember we welcome everyone and that we are about encouraging all to enjoy cycling with a heavy emphasis on the social rather than sporting side!  Highlights of last weekends rides included:

• Sighting a large herd of deer crossing the road ahead of one group
• Angela ‘leading out’ the short ride, thanks Angela
• Angela overtaking a large number of us as well as a Landrover, no it wasn’t stationery and the driver looked as startled as we did, those ‘slicks’ are going to leave us all standing!

This weekend we have the opportunity of 3 different rides again

 16 miles,

22 miles (a shortened version of the 28)

28 miles

as we meander through the 3 counties of Bucks, Beds and Herts.  Come on how many people can say they cycled through 3 counties on a Sunday morning?

Looking ahead next Saturday at 2pm sees Dave B leading out from the Rose and Crown another of his ‘beginners’ rides a great opportunity to learn some road cycling skills and to get about 9 miles under your belt with a qualified cycling instructor.

A further update for MARCH 27TH – those palnning on doing  the Ian Rennie 35 mile Aylesbury ride,  are asked to submit their own entry but would be good if you entered the ‘team name’ as VINGHOE VELOS, whilst we plan to ride it at our own pace it would be good to increase the profile of the group!

We have now been offered the services of someone to design our logo and we hope to move this forward VERY soon, watch this space!

Long Ride

Last week was a tremendous challenge with a very strong westerly wind and 3 moderate (tough for me!) hills, again great to see many people out and about, remember new riders always welcome.

Apologies for another late posting as we intended to mail earlier in the week specifically to remind everyone of Dave B’s beginners ride this afternoon at 2pm (sorry Dave), as usual meet at the R&C for a shorter less challenging ride lead by a qualified cycling teacher.  Dave intends to lead these out every other Saturday so for those worried about getting out and about it is an ideal way to start and no lycra in sight!

Tomorrow we head out again as usual 10am from the Rose & Crown.  It is possible that a Chocolate Brownie tasting will be happening mid distance to enable Sally’s recipe to receive the full endorsement of the (i)Vinghoe Velos, so get that oven on Sally!  Apparently it is an integral part of the Beezer cycling diet plan!

LONG RIDE – 26 miles (with a number of bad weather opt outs!)

SHORT RIDE – 15 miles  

Finally one for the diary MARCH 27TH – a number of people have expressed a desire to do the Ian Rennie 35 mile Aylesbury ride, great idea and a good way to build up to the Tour de Vale.  Own entry and sponsorship but good if people planning to do it let us know so we can put details on here!

We are also now on TWITTER @vinghoevelos, just need the technical guys to link it all up please!!

Finally Gary sends his apologies for not making it this weekend, but…….