Three routes to choose from this week, all Starting from Ivinghoe church. Come and join us, we are a friendly bunch and it’s free to ride. Riding in a group of friends passes those miles faster than doing it solo, someone to chat with, someone to shelter behind!…..Roll on Sunday!

9am route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39222571

10am route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39215643

10.30 route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39215667

The Usual Bit

We are a group of friends who ride together rather than a club so we don’t have any hard and fast rules, preferring to enjoy the journey rather than worry about our sock length. There are no fees to ride with us, we just ask for some considerations to be made so everyone can stay as safe as possible and have a good ride experience.

If you get out and ride it will encourage others to continue, if you sit at home on a turbo trainer, or in front of the TV there may not be anyone to ride with when you want company in the future!

Ivinghoe Velos rides are routes suggestions based on local knowledge built up over years of riding. Suitable for road bikes and often using quiet road options. Occasionally we need to re-route due to road closures and mapping errors. As a group please solve these problems as safely as possible. Anyone is welcome to provide a ridewithgps course for us to follow in future weeks.

Those who lead out a group, the route planners, those who send the postings out each week in no way make any assurances as to the safety of any rides organised under the ‘ivinghoe Velos’ banner. Each participant is wholly responsible for their own safety, road worthiness of their steed, legal requirements to abide by the highway code and any insurances each individual feels are necessary.

Rides are usually between 14mph and 17mph depending on elevation. When rider numbers allow we split into groups based on pace. Generally our motto is ” no one gets left behind” but riders need to be realistic when joining a group with an expected pace, it’s no fun for anyone if one riders pace is considerably slower than all the other riders. Equally if a couple of riders push the pace beyond what is expected, the rest of the group might not be having fun. We will sometime advertise beginners or social rides, which will moderate the pace to the slowest rider. Over time newer riders will build their pace and endurance, we have all started or re-started, so understand it takes some time to get faster.

When riding in a group the main benefit is the draft effect, saving around 25% effort when tucked in behind other riders. We expect riders to take a turn on the front when they able to do so and “hold the wheel” of riders in front on flat sections and shallow climbs. Looking over your shoulder and moderating your pace to ensure riders behind are still attached to the group is important wherever you are within your group and communicating if it looks like a riders has become detached (why not drag them back to the group rather than pushing on yourself?). On the flat the group should be close together so everyone benefits from the draft, work as a team, if there is a few bike lengths between riders you are not doing it right! On hills we wait at an appropriate safe spot to allow slower climbers to rejoin, you might want to make sure you are past the strava segment end!

Occasionally we have ridden in large groups with rider numbers in double figures. It’s important to remember we are quite a big obstacle to overtake, splitting into two small groups on main roads allows vehicles to overtake in stages. If you are mid-group take responsibility to manufacture this split- that’s you riding in position 7 in a group of 12. If a rider has manufactured a gap for this reason, don’t overtake and close the gap.

We have a stylish Ivinghoe Velos team kit which allows the public to identify us. Please be considerate, courteous and respect our reputation when riding in our groups. Shouting at motorists is unlikely to achieve anything other than a raise in your blood pressure. Smile and wave at other cyclists, even those too pro to wave back.

Occasionally due to traffic or mechanicals there can be splits in groups and we lose visibility of parts of the group. For this reason and for your time you spend on the front it’s important that every rider has a full understanding of the planned route.

Please arrive before the expected start time of our rides. We currently meet by the bus shelter outside Ivinghoe church. There is usually a poll on our facebook rear hub to establish who is out and riding which route.

Mudguards are much appreciated on winter rides, without them the rider behind you might as well be riding in the rain.

As we ride in a group, pointing out hazards is vital, riders within the group wont get much notice of dangerous pot holes, gravel and other slip hazards and maneuvers away from the usual line, please give visual and audible signals and also let other riders know if cars are unexpectedly close by.

Stay safe, have fun and enjoy the journey.

A busy post this week, scroll down for calendar reminders, stick to the top for this weeks rides! As always we would love to encourage inclusivity on our rides, so I’m pointing out this week that you don’t need to be called Dave to join in.

A local charity sportive is an additional option this week as the DENS Hemel Hillbuster moves from it’s hot spot last year to a more sensible April morning. Several of us Velos did it last year and the route is challenging, made easier by wonderful food stops! Please sign up on the event webiste if you intend to join in. If you are not keen on doing the route you can still donate £20 on the following page https://www.dens.org.uk/your-donation/?quick_donate_amount=20.00&quick_donate_type=one-off

Roll on Sunday!

The 9am route is 55 miles in the shadow of the Hill Buster, taking on bits of the route, without the biggest climbs. A similar amount of climbing to our last couple of Sunday routes https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39107060

10am The Bishopstone Flyer, 40 miles of flatness! https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39140168

10.30am Now that looks Familiar… the Weston Flyer https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39140197

If you are a member of our facebook “rear hub” group, it would be appreciated if you could indicate the route you are riding on the weekly poll, so we have a rough idea of groups. Many thanks

Calendar reminders……

It’s exactly one month before our Tewkesbury Weekender, when we will be riding three road rides from the centre of Tewkesbury, a day in the West Cotswolds, a day in the Malvern Hills and a day recovering, flat into Worcester. The idea is riders will book their own accomodation in the town and meet up on Saturday 21/5 , Sunday 22/5 and Monday 23/5 for rides and maybe some evening refuelling. Several riders have booked into the Weatherspoons in town, others are thinking camping or Premier Inn. Join us if you can for all or part of this weekend fun!

Those unable to make Tewkesbury might like to sign up to “ride Chartridge” for some company that Sunday.

In the spirit of “And now for something completely different” our main Sunday ride on 8th May will be a canal ride back from London, with several refreshment stops on the way. More details to follow, it will be an early train into Euston and then a tow path ride home!

On Sunday 12th June we will take on a later casual ride over to Wheatley Windmill which is open to the public on a very few selected days. A relaxed pace ride to include tea and cake and a trip up the windmill.

The following weekend, Sunday 19th June, we have an away day (or two?) over to Wymondham to be guided on a road ride by old friend Nick Carley.

In July we plan to go “off Piste” with a couple of days in the new forest riding forest tracks, staying in Brockenhurst Monday 18th July to Wednesday 20th July. Once again grab your own accomodation and join us for rides and evening recovery drinkies.

Plenty to look forward to….. and that’s just the start of summer……. did someone mention a 100 miler?

The usual three ride options this week. With most shops being closed and Friday spent tidying the garden, you’ve run out of excuses, so get out on your bike!!! Last week we had a great turn out with riders spread across the three distances in different pace groups to suit their needs, some new faces and some retutrning friends, we do it all again this week, roll on Sunday!

9am Similar distance to last week with a bit less climbing, we circle round Luton (without ever getting too close!) visiting delightful villages and pretty lanes. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39031430

10am This route focusses on quite lanes and gentle climbs, heading over to Northchurch before going across Ashridge, on to Markyate and then enjoying stunning views at Dunstable Downs https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39066986

10.30 Keeping in local and with a lower proportion of hills this route is suitable for riders short on time or those getting into road cycling, with a climb through Drayton Beauchamp to give the legs a proper test https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39067040

We now have enough light to meet for road rides on Tuesday evenings. we will meet at Pitstone roundabout on Tuesdays at 6.30pm and look to squeeze in 15 to 20 miles, finishing around 8pm, lights generally not required but useful from a safety point of view.

The Usual Bit

We are a group of friends who ride together rather than a club so we don’t have any hard and fast rules, preferring to enjoy the journey rather than worry about our sock length. There are no fees to ride with us, we just ask for some considerations to be made so everyone can stay as safe as possible and have a good ride experience.

If you get out and ride it will encourage others to continue, if you sit at home on a turbo trainer, or in front of the TV there may not be anyone to ride with when you want company in the future!

Ivinghoe Velos rides are routes suggestions based on local knowledge built up over years of riding. Suitable for road bikes and often using quiet road options. Occasionally we need to re-route due to road closures and mapping errors. As a group please solve these problems as safely as possible. Anyone is welcome to provide a ridewithgps course for us to follow in future weeks.

Those who lead out a group, the route planners, those who send the postings out each week in no way make any assurances as to the safety of any rides organised under the ‘ivinghoe Velos’ banner. Each participant is wholly responsible for their own safety, road worthiness of their steed, legal requirements to abide by the highway code and any insurances each individual feels are necessary.

Rides are usually between 14mph and 17mph depending on elevation. When rider numbers allow we split into groups based on pace. Generally our motto is ” no one gets left behind” but riders need to be realistic when joining a group with an expected pace, it’s no fun for anyone if one riders pace is considerably slower than all the other riders. Equally if a couple of riders push the pace beyond what is expected, the rest of the group might not be having fun. We will sometime advertise beginners or social rides, which will moderate the pace to the slowest rider. Over time newer riders will build their pace and endurance, we have all started or re-started, so understand it takes some time to get faster.

When riding in a group the main benefit is the draft effect, saving around 25% effort when tucked in behind other riders. We expect riders to take a turn on the front when they able to do so and “hold the wheel” of riders in front on flat sections and shallow climbs. Looking over your shoulder and moderating your pace to ensure riders behind are still attached to the group is important wherever you are within your group and communicating if it looks like a riders has become detached (why not drag them back to the group rather than pushing on yourself?). On the flat the group should be close together so everyone benefits from the draft, work as a team, if there is a few bike lengths between riders you are not doing it right! On hills we wait at an appropriate safe spot to allow slower climbers to rejoin, you might want to make sure you are past the strava segment end!

Occasionally we have ridden in large groups with rider numbers in double figures. It’s important to remember we are quite a big obstacle to overtake, splitting into two small groups on main roads allows vehicles to overtake in stages. If you are mid-group take responsibility to manufacture this split- that’s you riding in position 7 in a group of 12. If a rider has manufactured a gap for this reason, don’t overtake and close the gap.

We have a stylish Ivinghoe Velos team kit which allows the public to identify us. Please be considerate, courteous and respect our reputation when riding in our groups. Shouting at motorists is unlikely to achieve anything other than a raise in your blood pressure. Smile and wave at other cyclists, even those too pro to wave back.

Occasionally due to traffic or mechanicals there can be splits in groups and we lose visibility of parts of the group. For this reason and for your time you spend on the front it’s important that every rider has a full understanding of the planned route.

Please arrive before the expected start time of our rides. We currently meet by the bus shelter outside Ivinghoe church. There is usually a poll on our facebook rear hub to establish who is out and riding which route.

Mudguards are much appreciated on winter rides, without them the rider behind you might as well be riding in the rain.

As we ride in a group, pointing out hazards is vital, riders within the group wont get much notice of dangerous pot holes, gravel and other slip hazards and maneuvers away from the usual line, please give visual and audible signals and also let other riders know if cars are unexpectedly close by.

Stay safe, have fun and enjoy the journey.

Three delightful routes to choose from this week, roll on Sunday!

9am 50 miles through South Bucks https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38989660 our longest route is ridden at a pace of around 15-16mph and we work as a team to get everyone round together.

10am The only way is up https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38983036 some hills in the back end, so save something in the legs for Cadesden Hill and Rocky Lane

10.30am Eaton Bray & Stanbridge https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4836689.html two loops joined up by Slapton both ways.

Everyone welcome, young and old, male and female, quick and slow, we have an option for everyone and we do our very best to make sure no one gets left behind! Anyone can join any of our rides, however if ladies prefer a specific dedicated ride, why not try https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4384418.html

The Usual bit

We are a group of friends who ride together rather than a club so we don’t have any hard and fast rules, preferring to enjoy the journey rather than worry about our sock length. There are no fees to ride with us, we just ask for some considerations to be made so everyone can stay as safe as possible and have a good ride experience.

If you get out and ride it will encourage others to continue, if you sit at home on a turbo trainer, or in front of the TV there may not be anyone to ride with when you want company in the future!

Ivinghoe Velos rides are routes suggestions based on local knowledge built up over years of riding. Suitable for road bikes and often using quiet road options. Occasionally we need to re-route due to road closures and mapping errors. As a group please solve these problems as safely as possible. Anyone is welcome to provide a ridewithgps course for us to follow in future weeks.

Those who lead out a group, the route planners, those who send the postings out each week in no way make any assurances as to the safety of any rides organised under the ‘ivinghoe Velos’ banner. Each participant is wholly responsible for their own safety, road worthiness of their steed, legal requirements to abide by the highway code and any insurances each individual feels are necessary.

Rides are usually between 14mph and 17mph depending on elevation. When rider numbers allow we split into groups based on pace. Generally our motto is ” no one gets left behind” but riders need to be realistic when joining a group with an expected pace, it’s no fun for anyone if one riders pace is considerably slower than all the other riders. Equally if a couple of riders push the pace beyond what is expected, the rest of the group might not be having fun. We will sometime advertise beginners or social rides, which will moderate the pace to the slowest rider. Over time newer riders will build their pace and endurance, we have all started or re-started, so understand it takes some time to get faster.

When riding in a group the main benefit is the draft effect, saving around 25% effort when tucked in behind other riders. We expect riders to take a turn on the front when they able to do so and “hold the wheel” of riders in front on flat sections and shallow climbs. Looking over your shoulder and moderating your pace to ensure riders behind are still attached to the group is important wherever you are within your group and communicating if it looks like a riders has become detached (why not drag them back to the group rather than pushing on yourself?). On the flat the group should be close together so everyone benefits from the draft, work as a team, if there is a few bike lengths between riders you are not doing it right! On hills we wait at an appropriate safe spot to allow slower climbers to rejoin, you might want to make sure you are past the strava segment end!

Occasionally we have ridden in large groups with rider numbers in double figures. It’s important to remember we are quite a big obstacle to overtake, splitting into two small groups on main roads allows vehicles to overtake in stages. If you are mid-group take responsibility to manufacture this split- that’s you riding in position 7 in a group of 12. If a rider has manufactured a gap for this reason, don’t overtake and close the gap.

We have a stylish Ivinghoe Velos team kit which allows the public to identify us. Please be considerate, courteous and respect our reputation when riding in our groups. Shouting at motorists is unlikely to achieve anything other than a raise in your blood pressure. Smile and wave at other cyclists, even those too pro to wave back.

Occasionally due to traffic or mechanicals there can be splits in groups and we lose visibility of parts of the group. For this reason and for your time you spend on the front it’s important that every rider has a full understanding of the planned route.

Please arrive before the expected start time of our rides. We currently meet by the bus shelter outside Ivinghoe church. There is usually a poll on our facebook rear hub to establish who is out and riding which route.

Mudguards are much appreciated on winter rides, without them the rider behind you might as well be riding in the rain.

As we ride in a group, pointing out hazards is vital, riders within the group wont get much notice of dangerous pot holes, gravel and other slip hazards and maneuvers away from the usual line, please give visual and audible signals and also let other riders know if cars are unexpectedly close by.

Stay safe, have fun and enjoy the journey.

We are moving into the ligher evenings now, so can plan some evening activities. If you’d like to ride on roads or offroads we have options for you!

For the next two Thursday evenings we have some cross country bridleway rides, no major hills or technically difficult riding. We meet at Ivinghoe Beacon car park at 6pm. The proposed route for Thursday 7th April is https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38975039 We will follow this up with a similar offering the following Thursday, maybe heading in the Tring direction for a change. Relaxed ride, no one gets left behind! Anyone with an MTB, gravel bike a tough hybrid is welcome

Tuesdays are typically our road ride evenings, so from Tuesday 12th April there will be a 6pm option meeting at the roundabout in Pitstone, by the memorial hall. We will push this back to 6.30pm as the evenings get lighter.

For those not working on Thursdays, we continue with out weekly coffee ride, this week it’s 10am from Ivinghoe church, route details are on our rearhub facebook page.

Sundays continue to be our main event longer road rides with various distances and pace groups heading off from Ivinghoe church.

If riders are looking to ride outstide of these planned times, they are welcome to add a post of the rearhub on facebook to see if anyone else is keen to ride at the same time, therefore getting some company and maybe a break from the wind!

One final point is our fine Ivinghoe Velos kit is something we like riders to wear when out on road rides, we currently have a poll on the facebook rearhub to see if there is demand for an order cycle to be opened up, this is looking encouraging, so if this happens we will provide a link to the order pages. If you are keen add your name to the poll!