Well I have now returned from luxuriating in the french Alps, where I developed a number of new 2 hour rides for our intrepid members and friends. As usual they will start from the R&C and finish there. More news of these when the teleporter arrives.

And so continuing with the good news theme, whilst the rest of the world continues to trawl through double dips and recession, your local cycle club continues to go from strength to strength with over 40 of us now now subscribing to our regular updates. Its not difficult to understand why when you look at our investment success, you put no money in, and we turn it into no money. By my calculation that’s a 100% return, where else are you going to get that? In fact we are so confident of our continued success that we don’t even need to attach the usual disclaimers about the value of investments going up and down. So go tell your friends and get them out on tomorrows ride. I bet you were wondering how I was going to get to the cycling bit, so was I when I started writing this!

Well here it is, a little 20 miler, with a few slight inclines, but mainly downhill.

January Jiggler

As Gary luxuriates on the ski slopes its time to dust off the hangovers and the bikes we have left locked in the shed for the last couple of weeks.  Apol0gies for the late post but work, NYE and possibly a hangover result in an under par performance. 

Boxing Day saw 9 of us undertake a walk of about 7 miles, led by Ian, through the snow which was excellent.  Refreshments included Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Biscuits, Sweets from Angela’s goodie bag not forgetting the Sloe Gin!

SUNDAY RIDE  meeting as usual at 10:00am on Sunday this ‘old’ ride revists the scene of a certain person aqua plaining through the ford, so lets try and avoid a recurrence!  Not sure who is out so please print yourselves a route to ensure there is someone to lead!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The Velos

Now we are all full of turkey and topping up the alcohol count it is definitely time to leave the bike in the shed!

Tomorrow we will be walking leaving the R & C at 10am. The plan is to return there a couple of hours later, hopefully before ‘time is called’ to enjoy a quick drink with friends. Hip flasks are optional but highly recommended as an integral part of cold weather dressing up. Christmas jumpers, socks and pants can all be sported but lets stay warm!

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas Day

The Velos

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!