Some early ride fun this week for both 10am routes which share a common start, we will have our annual downhill challenge, no pedaling after the top corner off the B489 onto Chapel Lane & the winner is the rider who comes to a halt furthest past the Village Swan pub in Ivinghoe Aston.
10.45 new joiners and restarters steady pace https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45324812
10am medium route benchmark pace over 13-15mph https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45835683
10am longer route, benchmark pace over 14-16mph https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45835452
Ivinghoe Velos rides take place on Sunday mornings and start from outside the church in Ivinghoe, we are a welcoming and friendly group of friends, most of us are the other side of 50 but with great age comes great wisdom, we have a bank of well researched routes and a reasonable kowledge of the workings of a bicycle. New riders young and old are welcome, although we may not be able to keep up with you! With this in mind Dave Bembridge has crafted a set of “new starters and rejoiner” rides starting this Sunday, these rides will be easy routes ridden as a pace to suit every riders. Local legend has it that Dave carries a rubber ring with him, this isn’t for a more comfy seat in the pub after a long day in the saddle, it’s to help rescue riders stuck in puddles along the route.
During the winter months our rides start from 10am. During warmer summer months we extend the distances slightly and start a longer option at 9am, this is usually around mid April to October and during these longer riders we pop in the occasional coffee stop.
Rides conclude back in Ivinghoe close to the Rose And Crown pub, which welcomes riders with a range of isotonic beverages and carb replacing snacks for some post ride chat.
We also arrange ad-hoc weekday coffee rides and evening pre-beer rides which we arrange via social media so we can be agile with timings.
In May each year we have a change of scenery, planning a series of rides over a weekend in another location, we’ve previously visited The Peak District, Suffolk, Tewekesbury and Yorkshire, this year we head to Wells in Somerset and do 4 days of rides with plenty of time around the rides to enjoy the location (plus more isotonic beverages and carb replacing snacks).
We have also arranged trips to sunny destinations with real mountains, taken part in sportives, ridden the odd mountain bike ride, travelled back on the Grand Union from London and completed charity rides, so there is something for everybody
Our aim is to leave no one behind, so riders should look after and wait for riders behind as well as keep up with riders in front, a little communication helps keep the group together and having a good knowledge of the route means you can be confident when the route makes turns. We try to ride close together to benefit from the draft (reducing wind resistance for the riders behind) on the flat and gentle up hills and will regroup after more severe climbs as everyone has their own pace to get up these!
Three rides this week with a longer and medium 10am options plus the new joiners and returns route at 10.45am (if you already regularly use your bike you are welcome to join the longer options!)
Riders are responsible for their own safety and mechanical reliability, we help with changing tubes after a puncture, but if your pedal falls off it’s a long walk home!
Roll on Sunday