Monthly Archives: April 2012

Hosepipe Ban

It was very impressive to see a number of ‘tea’ riders taking advantage of the drought conditions to head out for some fun on the roads and a cake or two!

Tomorrow looks like we will benefit again from weather that will only serve to reduce Anglian Waters problems!

However for those who want to to get out on the pedals here you are

Longer Ride

Shorter Ride

Please do make sure you familiarise yourselves with your chosen route!

Andrew & Jose are still looking for your support in raising money for Action Medical Research and would ask anyone wishing to help them in their efforts of raising at least £3000 by riding to Paris to sponsor them here

Stay dry(ish!)

The Rose and Crown Crusade to Normandy 

Plans continue to be made by Pete and Jim and a fuller page will soon be put up on this site (techie genius time permitting!).  However it is planned to be a 5 day trip departing from Calais on 10th September full details, in the short term can be got from Pete by emailing him at pthompso@btinternet.com or by clicking here

 

RAIN STOPPED PLAY

A familiar cry across our land during the summer months as cricket and tennis matches wait until christmas to be concluded. If you’ve just come back from a fortnights holiday you’ll recall that just before you left someone announced a drought, and you’ll have now returned to flood warnings. So if you drive a canoe to work each day I think you’re gonna be ok.

Of course here at the Velos “rain stopped play” is an unfamiliar concept. It has been noted that generally speaking we have mananged to ensure that the weather remains dry for 3 hours every sunday morning, and that the heavens only open as we step in the doorway of the Rose and Crown. There have however been some occasions when it has not been possible to make arrangements with the met office for good weather. Fortunately our natural physique and pace allows allows us to cope better than those other mortals lower down the food chain.

As any avid formula 1 fan will know aerodynamics play a significant part in any teams’ success. The ability to move air efficiently around the vehicle and to harness its natural force for better grip is key. You will also have observed that there are no windscreen wipers or roofs on these cars, and you may be wondering how they manage to stay dry in a deluge? Well management of the airflow around the cockpit deflects the rain away from them. It is similarly so for the Fatlete. Our natural shape and pace causes significant turbulance such that any rain is deflected away. Should the rain fall a little too quick all we need to do is close up the pack and increase the turbulance.

So no excuses, we meet as usual at the Rose and Crown Velodrome 9.45 for a 10.00 kick off. Sorry pedal off.

Here’s the route

 

Saturday 10am Tea Ride

Last week 8 of us enjoyed a lovely ride over to the Tea Rooms at Edlesborough. Tomorrow the weather looks set fair for the morning, less than a five percent chance of rain according to the Met Office. I have planned a flat 12 mile ride taking in the Tea rooms at Wilstone Farm shop, so you can always bring a pannier or rucksack and pick up some food for the weekend too.

See you outside the Rose and Crown at 10am.

Sally

Rides for Sunday 15th April 2012

We were very pleased to see more new riders join us last week. Welcome and we look forward to cycling with you again soon.

And so, on to this week’s Sunday two-wheeled adventure. A few members have planned a pre-ride warm-up route to add a few extra fast-ish miles before the main event. They are planning to meet at Pitstone Roundabout at 9am and will welcome any members who would like to join them.

The main rides are listed below and will leave the Rose & Crown at the usual time of 10am sharp, so please aim to gather from 9:45am. Due to public demand, we have reinstated the short route.

Long Route – 25 miles 

Short Route – 17 Miles

Hope you can make it on what is forecast to be a dry morning.

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

A strange expression and one that is seldom heard in the modern interweb age. But recently I heard this and unfortunately for you people out there waiting for a nice little piece on cycling, yet again I am going to disappoint you. Today I am going to consider this little ancient phrase, and add a little colour to both the literal and metaphorical understanding. At least this week’s title will have some significance to the content.

So first to the literal meaning and what better way to start than with those icons of comedy Morecambe and Wise, who for years on end entertained us weekly with a clever mix of wit and music. Eric a true genius, who delivered comic lines with the timing of an atomic clock and could cause fits of laughter with a mere raising of his spectacles. Of course genius is close to madness, and in this regard Eric was an avid Luton Town follower. The other bloke was called Ernie. Who can forget where they spent most of their time? Yes in the same bed wearing colourful pyjamas in front of an audience and several television cameras, and as far as we are aware neither of them were gay. Strange bedfellows indeed!

Of course it is not only on English shores where you will find such odd behaviour. A short hop across the channel will take you to our French friends and more specifically to the presidents’ wife. A lady that is beautiful, a talented songstress we are led to believe, and one who previously dated rock stars. But let us move to her current spouse, the vertically challenged, xenophobic, crystal making soon to be ousted French leader. Whilst I can see where the poor chap might rest his head its difficult to see how these two became one.

Enough of the literal meaning I shall now move on to the more lateral. Where better to start than a sport close to our hearts, cycling. As the Vinghoe Velo fatletes well understand this is probably the most physically demanding of all the modern sports, where stamina and physique combine to produce the ultimate in human achievement. Years of training and diet go into preparing these athletes and you would be hard pressed to find one in a public house. For the Vinghoe Velos our home is the Rose and Crown, where many of our 72 members will be seen regularly. Strange Bedfellows? I think not, for as much as the modern cyclist is a product of his/her environment, so too is the vinghoe velo fatlete, who will have spent many years developing their physique close to a bar.

This brings me neatly to the Rose and Crown, whose stewardship has recently passed from Alistair to a couple of local friends. So who are the new landlords? Well one is a witty articulate keen cyclist that lives merely a few doors from the establishment. He is a man renowned for his wisdom and foresight, his sound practical understanding of science, and his cultured appreciation of the classic arts. The other one is Kirk.

 Now I am sure that some may be wondering how I can take an active role in both the leadership of the Vinghoe Velos and our favourite village pub without any conflicts arising. Well I would like to reassure you all that I shall continue to dedicate my time to both tasks equally and impartially. So this week I have drafted a special route that I know you will enjoy. Apologies if there a few extra hills and miles, but a least you’ll come back thirsty.

Long Route