Worth keeping an eye on the forecast for Sunday as it appears to be getting better.
Please bring a copy of your chosen route with you either digitally on a GPS device, or the good old fashioned way, on paper.
Monthly Archives: May 2018
Velos Rides for Sunday 20th May 2018
While the weather is good, we are going to keep up the early starts !
As always, please bring a copy of your chosen route with you. We depart from the Rose and Crown in Ivinghoe and will be operating our usual “no one gets left behind” assurance – so please do join us on the early ride even if you are a bit worried about the distance.
Velos Rides for Sunday 13th May 2018
We have a few options for you to to choose from this Sunday.
Ride from Wheathampstead
A few weeks back, Dave Howe posted on Facebook about taking in some new routes by moving our start point. This generated some interest so this week we have that option for you.
This will be a 9am start and will cover 63 miles
The meeting point is a car park in Wheathampstead on East Lane, it’s behind a Miller and Carter restaurant, post code AL4 8BS
The start point is a 40 minute DRIVE from Pitstone and 19 miles by BIKE so we would suggest a 7.30am start for anyone cycling over and an 8am start by car to get them unloaded for 9. The car park has a height restriction so bikes will need to be unloaded from rooftops before parking cars. The car park is free.
We don’t propose any official stop along the route but there are some good cafes in Wheathampstead in people would like to stay for a drink after the ride, we like “loafing” which is a bakery with a coffee machine and seats outside that is very close to the car park. There is also a Tesco very close to the car park if anyone needs essentials post ride. If anyone needs a water top up we pass a Londis in Much Haddam after 42 miles.
If you want to share the driving, head on over to our Facebook group to discuss our options.
Rides from the Rose and Crown in Ivinghoe
If you would like a more local start point, Dave Bembridge is suggesting the following rides beginning from our usual departure point.
As always, please bring a copy of your chosen route with you.
Velos Rides for Sunday 6th May 2018
Sunday Rides
We have three on offer this week, with a special early one to get the most of the 2nd bout of ‘Summer’.
8am start, 71 miles to Silverstone
10am start, 36 miles to Waddesdon
10am start, 20 miles to Aldbury (the long way round)
The 8am ride is one of our best routes taking in some beautiful quiet lanes and villages. There will be two groups for this ride – the normal 9am pace, and a more relaxed collection of riders. The relaxed group will enforce our “no rider gets left behind” rule so if you are hesitant about joining us please do not worry – this is an ideal opportunity to ride in the best conditions and get some decent mileage under your belt even if you only normally do 30 mile rides.
All of this Sunday’s rides begin and end at the Rose and Crown in Ivinghoe. Please bring a copy of your chosen route with you.
Mid-week rides
Looks like summer will be here for another few days so why not join us for an evening road ride this Tuesday. We start from the roundabout in Pitstone next to the village green at 6:30pm. The route is made up on the night and we often split in to groups based on how far people would like to ride.
Also for those of you who like to mix it up a bit, we have a Thursday evening off-road ride to tempt you with. Again, we depart from the Pitstone roundabout but for this ride it is at 7pm. The routes are not too challenging but lights will be required as it can get a bit gloomy in the forests.
Both rides tend to end up in the Rose and Crown for ‘re-hydration’.
Next Weekend
Dave “Routemaster” Howe had come up with a great suggestion for next Sunday’s 9am ride. So that we can explore some new roads, his suggestion is that we drive to a car park in Wheathamsted, jump on our bikes and pootle around some pretty Hertfordshire and Essex villages. If you don’t have easy transport to the start, ask your fellow riders on Sunday, or make contact in the Facebook Rear Hub group – there are a few spare places so you should be able to get a lift for you and your bike. More details on Facebook and in next week’s post.
(This is just for the 9am ride – the 10am rides will start as normal from the Rose and Crown.)
A new local book with a cycling connection
We would like to draw your attention to a book about our local history. It’s called “The Berko Loop”. It plots a local 30 mile off-road Loop and points out interesting historical facts as you navigate the trails. Their website describes it as –
Whether you cycle the whole thing, walk the walkable stretches or simply read your way round this journey into our countryside, you’re about to hear about places you didn’t know existed and discover things you’d never have guessed. But, most importantly, you’re about to meet the people whose stories, work and lives make our local sticks such a fascinating place to explore.
If you are interested, head on over to their website at theberkoloop.co.uk for more info.