Three routes for your enjoyment this Sunday. All starting from Ivinghoe Church at the stated times, please bring your yourself, a working bike and a paper map or ride instructions on your bike computer. We aim to leave no one behind, so moderating the pace for all riders in the group would be sensible.
The shortest option makes it’s way to the end of the world, so you could be in for a rough ride. Oh no sorry, it’s Worlds End and it’s part of our flat earth society collection, so a nice easy one for 10.30am riders https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52168510
Leaving Ivinghoe at 10am the mid range option is a 31 mile outing all the way to Drayton Parslow via Soulbury and back via Stewkley https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52168375 watch out for the devils foot in Soulbury
On a still night In August 1963 a royal mail train was stopped by a bogus red signal, half a mile from Bridego bridge where two drivers were violently attacked, the engine and first carriage were uncoupled and shunted to Bridego bridge where 120 huge bags of cash were unloaded into a truck under the bridge.
In today’s money the haul would amount to £65 million.
The gang disappeared into the Buckinghamshire countryside telling Royal mail staff to remain still for 30 minutes or they would be killed. Aylesbury police began a search around the Buckinghamshire countryside, the same countryside we ride through on Sunday.
On Sunday we ride in the tire tracks of the getaway vehicles, perhaps using the same quiet lanes the gang used to escape to Leatherslade farm. The route is 59 miles, passing the scene of the robbery at 4 miles and the hideaway farm at 34 miles. The ride starts at 9am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52183981
Following a tip-off from a herdsman working in a nearby field on 13th August police found the farm where the gang had hidden and began searching through finger print evidence. The gang wanted the farm burnt to the ground but this wish was not carried out by their accomplices so evidence remained on beer cans and a monopoly set at the farm.
When it was realised most of the gang were south London based detective Tommy Butler known as “the thief taker” was appointed to lead the investigation. The first arrest followed days later with Roger Cordrey arrested in Bournemouth. Over the coming days through August 1963 arrests continued….
Some of the gang hid or ran for years with leader Bruce Reynolds not caught until November 1968, a very fine month in my opinion.
It is said that three members of the gang were never brought to justice, so look out for clues on Sunday’s ride, keep your eyes peeled as they say. Roll on Sunday.