The ‘Legend of the Hills’ Dave Howe has kindly both submitted this weeks ride and will be leading the “13 mph average” main group. As is usual these days, anyone who would prefer a faster or slower ride is most welcome to join us and form their own teams to ride together. We meet at the Rose & Crown from 9:45am and plan to start around 10am.
BASIN TO BROWNLOW RIDE
Back in the day Bicylces were made from the finest grade Sheffield Steel and spare iron girders, that were found lying around in Staffordshire. They came in two colours, cheifly chosen to prevent them being seen by the Luftwaffe. Black for night use, and green so you could lie them down in a field during the day without them being seen.
To assist with night time camouflage, the lights did not use batteries, but a dynamo built into the hub your front wheel. The faster you went the brighter the light got. Well that was the theory. The reality was that the bike was so heavy, and the magnets in the hub so strong, speed was never an option and the light flickered barely brighter than a candle.
You might think that in those harsh times, with limited fuel supplies, the government would be encouraging cycling, but no the fella with the big cigar and the whisky tumbler, decreed that all wheels should be coated in a flaky chrome plate. The result? Dirt gripped the wheels and rust seeped through. To prevent the wheel from turning to dust you would spend hours cleaning the rim and spokes with a Brillo pad.
Modern times has seen the use of cables, and even hydraulics, for braking systems. For the classic bike, these systems would have been unreliable. So to ensure reliability, and to add some more weight, and keep the lights dim, steel tubing was used to link the levers to the calipers. Naturally they were chrome plated to keep you busy.
SOME HAVE SAID THAT THE LAST TIME I CAME OUT BIKES WERE LIKE THIS!
So whats brings me back? Shameful plugging.
On 7th April 2013, Bubbles Bembridge has organised a Cycling Jolly to raise money for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Stoke Mandeville. The ride will go from the Paddington Basin in London, and meander along the canal towpath for 50miles until you reach the Brownlow Bridge, before peddling a short distance back to the pub for some well earned refreshment. There are posters up in the pub that give more information, however you can sign up here by following the link below. The cost of entry is £15 and does not include your transport to London. If you’re really keen you could get up at 4.00 am and cycle there!
Now whilst I’m here I thought I’d save Hegs a bit of work this week and publish a ride so here it is:
Well that’s it from me for another 6 months, I’m off to polish my carbon fibre forks.
P.S. Don’t forget tickets go on sale for the Ivinghoe Festival Weekend this Saturday morning at all good outlets including the town hall.
Velos Ride for Sunday 3rd March 2013
Another great ride last week, chaps & chapesses !
The new format of keeping the majority together at a 13 mph average is working wonders so we plan to try and keep it up this week.
It looks like it will be a dry ride too without the threat of ice – ideal for those rolling Chilterns hills!
While the Cat’s Away…
The mice might get up to mischief!
So… don’t tell Sally but… St Mary’s Church in Edelsborough will allegedly be serving breakfast instead of tea & cake tomorrow… thought that maybe we could swing by there and see what it’s all about… what do you reckon…? Coming…?
Or are you going to Wallingford..?
Make sure you join the right group – We’ll all be at the Rose & Crown for 10am!
Velos Ride for Sunday 24th February 2013
If you were one of the 22 people who joined us for the ride last Sunday I think you will agree that it was one of our best rides. The weather was fantastic for the time of year and the lead-out by Mr Howe worked really well.
While the weather might not be as favourable this week, we do hope to keep the momentum going and appoint a leader for the main “13 mph average” group on the day (it should be Hegs so long as the manflu doesn’t get any worse).
The route is a modified one from a few weeks back. The change was just to keep it around the 25 miles mark. As usual, we meet from 9:45am outside the Rose and Crown, Ivinghoe and plan to start just after 10am.
Saturday 10am Tea Ride
10 am outside the Rose and Crown for gentle paced cycling. New riders always welcome. We cycle to a tea room for refreshments, and then back to the pub for further refreshment. Looks chilly tomorrow, so don’t forget your gloves!
Next weekend some Velos are planning an overnight trip to Wallingford. If you are interested, details can be found here:
http://www.ivinghoevelos.org.uk/events/wallingford-trip-march-2013/
It’s not too late to sign up.
Velos Ride for Sunday 17th February 2013
After last week’s rain, sleet and freezing temperatures, we look forward to much better conditions for our Sunday ride. In fact, Mr Sun looks to have his hat on and is threatening to come out to play.
Dave “Don’t mention the hills” Howe has kindly sent in a new ride this week. He will be leading the main group which will be averaging around 13 mph and will remain as a group for the duration of the ride.
Those wishing to cycle faster or slower are most welcome to ride with us too, but there may not be a nominated guide/fix-it bod for either of those groups.
Tomorrow’s entertainment looks like this.
Saturday 10 am Tea Ride
Foggy or sunny? Best bring lights and bright clothing if its foggy. Another adventure with tea and cake starts at 10 am outside the Rose and Crown. New riders always welcome, pace set by the slowest rider.
Sally
Velos Ride for Sunday 10th February 2013
The weather forecast isn’t ideal but we will be out and about tomorrow regardless. As always, we meet at the Rose & Crown from 9:50am.
Mudguards- be kind to your bicycle and your fellow riders.
Take a look at most cycling club guidelines, and you will find that not riding with mudguards is considered quite antisocial. Indeed, many clubs will not let you ride in winter without them. The mudguards below are fairly cheap and designed for road bikes. They can be fitted in about 30 minutes, and are easy to remove. There is a very good video on how to fit them too. No excuses.
http://road.cc/content/review/33843-crud-roadracer-mk2-mudguards