9am Cranfield anticlockwise 50 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47309020

10am Evershot anticlockwide 35 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47309095

10.30am Eggington anticlockwide 22 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47309135

Three routes to chose from and the eagled eyed among you may notice the 10am route is the same as the 9am route but 15 miles shorter, so there is every chance that groups may come together on the return. This is the sort of crazy stunt we pull while route master Dave B is off climbing mountains! Talking of mountains, both routes tackle the Long Lane climb up to Toddington.

For the next three weeks, starting from Florence in Italy and leading to the time trial finale to Nice the tour de france will have us captivated and even more motivated to ride than usual, if thats possible? France has the most tour winners with 36 wins, followed by Belgium and then Spain, what price a British winner this year? Well Andy Yates is 22/1 well behind team mate Tadej Pogacar who is odds on favourite this year. We will all be watching to see if Sir Mark Cavendish can add a stage victory so he can head the leaderboard for all time stage wins, he’s not won a stage since 2021 so chances are slim. To enhance your enjoyment of the tour (or possibly not depending on your luck) you can pick a team in our fantasy TDF league (league 61005 Ivinghoe Velos Challenge) You’ve got to be in it to win it! https://fantasybytissot.letour.fr/#welcome/register/?sponsor_player_code=qxfg8t2&league_id=61005

Rides start at the stated times from Ivinghoe Church. We aim to leave no one behind, so look out for the riders behind you as well as keeping up with those in front. Please had a good idea of the route so you take the ride turn while leading the group, we don’t want to leave anyone behind enemy lines in Bedfordshire.

It’s that time of year again … Le Tour is only a few days away. If you would like to join our Ivinghoe Velos Fantasy TdF League, please see the details below. All are welcome. The only change this year is that we are playing by the main rules … which should make it a bit more interesting. It is easy to play, so worth giving it a go if you are new to this “sport”. The main prize is a secret … and very, very rare.

Join me in the league now no.61005 : Ivinghoe Velos Challenge
By clicking on this link : https://fantasybytissot.letour.fr/#welcome/register/?sponsor_player_code=qxfg8t2&league_id=61005

Three routes all leaving Ivinghoe by the church. No one should be left behind so watch out for fellow riders on your route.

9am Pednor and Chennies https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47201043

10am Bishopstone https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44915119

10.30am Weston Turville https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47199410

Three Rides for your consideration this Sunday, plus a bonus Saturday away day.

Last week I correctly predicted that Lotte Kopecky would win the women’s tour of Britain, so I feel I need to back this up with another tough to get right sporting forecast, so here you go…… Scotland won’t win the Euro’s this summer, sorry Grant! Scotland have never progressed from the group stages in a major football tormament but they have produced a cyclist who broke the world hour record, twice! Graham Obree set new hour records in 1993 and 1994, he was famous for a pioneering riding position and having a bike build out of old washing machine parts. Maybe an even more famous flying scotsman is Sir Chris Hoy, who has been seen frequenting Chiltern Velo in the recent past, with 11 world championships and 6 olympic golds, he was pretty handy on the track. Talking about getting back on track, here are this weekends ride options (thanks to Dave B for the shorter options)…..

Saturday 11am Cranfield High Street (by the war memorial) 55 miles of rolling country lanes and a couple of planned refreshment stops, this will be a grand day out. You can park for free in Cranfield, or ride from home if you’d like to make it a century day! https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47065960

Sunday 9am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47099262 very wiggly route, but some nice roads to Woburn Sands

Sunday 10am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47097832 a loop taking in Eaton Bray, Studham and Potten End, this one is slightly more on the hilly side.

Sunday 10.30am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47097901 up to Ringshall via Eaton Bray and back down Toms.

Three routes for your enjoyment this weekend, 9am 10am and 10.30am.

The Women’s tour of Britain takes place between Thursday and Sunday this week with a focus on the North West & Wales, covering 303 miles across 4 days with around 18,000 feet of climbing. The competitors will average around 24 miles per hour. The recent Ride London Classique was 244 miles over 3 days with the peleton averaging 25 miles per hour on a pretty flat course, this race was one for the sprinters with the world’s best Lorena Wiebes. The winner of the Women’s tour may be an all rounder, I’d say look no futher than Lotte Kopecky, although on home roads lets hope Pfeiffer Gerogi puts up a good show. Highlights 8pm ITV4

The 9am 50 miles route has 13 miles in the middle which are common with the tour de vale ride, so watch out for other riders enjoying their day out from Stoke Mandaville, these riders won’t be averaging 24mph!

The 10am route follows a similar direction to the earlier ride but diverts across to North Marston, some lovely country lanes and some challenging slopes. This route includes the lovely run out of Wingrave, a great opportunity to get the chain gang going!

At 10.30 riders will be challenged with a climb up through little Tring and then the big one up to Hastoe, enjoyable quiet roads and a drop down past Wendover Woods.

9am Quainton Quick 50 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46991168

10am North Marston https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46991976

10.30am Hastoe Climber https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46992024