By the weekend you may have had enough of sitting on the sofa…. What an opportunity to get out for some fresh air for a ride with the Ivinghoe Velos!

Following recent weeks of low rider numbers for this Sunday we switch to 2 rides to try to ensure riders get a group experience rather than ones and twos going out. Both routes are quite flat and both will be using the newly opened Marsh Lane.

If by some Christmas miracle there are lots of riders we can split into pace groups if riders want to. The rides will be like a good Nordmann Fir Christmas tree (non-drop)

10am 36 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53578855

10.30am 25 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53578921

On Saturday 27th there will be an additional ride option for anyone keen to get back on the saddle after Christmas. It’s an 11am start from Christmas Common, with a refreshment stop at the Cheese Shed in Nettlebed because who doesn’t need even more cheese after Christmas? This will be a SLOW ride as it does contain some up-hill parts.

Sat 27/12 11am 33 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53564775

The final weeekend of 2025, so finish it off with a ride if you can!

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born king (of the mountain)

Our Sunday rides this week are the last ones before Christmas, so I’ve asked my friend Carol to write this week’s post. Thanks to our own Scottish Santa Grant for the 10.30 ride option, unfortunatley his little helper hasn’t met the first class post deadline for the 10am ride, so I’ve extended the short route!

Deck the bikes with tinsel and light, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Three fine rides for riders bright, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Last Sunday before Christmas cheer, fa la la, la la la, la la la!
Midweek Christmas—rides stay clear, fa la la la la, la la la la!

Some ride on for five hundred kilometres, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Some prefer five hundred calories, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Cheesy chips and festive beer, fa la la, la la la, la la la!
All are welcome, fast or slow, far or near, fa la la la la, la la la la!

From Ivinghoe Church we all depart, fa la la la la, la la la la!
To Rose and Crown we ride at heart, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Keep it safe with festive flair, fa la la, la la la, la la la!
Tinsel’s fine—just show you care, fa la la la la, la la la la!

Mind those riders who you left behind, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Mince pies have slowed them you will find, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Pace is set by riders who appear, fa la la, la la la, la la la!
No one is dropped this time of year, fa la la la la, la la la la!

Arrive on time, stay safe and sound, fa la la la la, la la la la!
Routes may change as we ride round, fa la la la la, la la la la!
road works on route can be festive too, fa la la, la la la, la la la!
Happy Christmas everyone, your family and you! fa la la la la, la la la la!

9am Ding Dong Merrily On High Hills https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53532003

10am Jingle Bike Bells https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53532145

10.30am God rest ye merry gentle 10.30 riders https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53530781

Hear ye, hear ye!
With but thrice more Sunday rides ere the year of our Lord two-and-twenty and five be spent, make haste and join the noble company of the Ivinghoe Velos. All our ventures come with a most wondrous guarantee: any coin paid to partake shall be restored unto thee shouldst thou find thy merriment lacking—though certain expenses and the taxman’s due must needs be honoured.

Oft have we sought to charm the sprightly youth with words most modern, yet this week we don a garb more timeless, drawing inspiration from the immortal Bard himself. Next week, forsooth, we shall endeavour a Christmas carol!

Three noble routes await thee upon Sunday’s morn: All endevours shall be partaken at a moderate disposition based on thy riders presenting themselves, velocity shall be determined to entertain all.

9 of the clock https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53484838

10 of the clock https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53441730

Half past 10 of the clock https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34411351

And know this: we vow to leave no rider forsaken upon the road. Therefore, cast thine eyes oft behind to guard the soul who follows, even as thou keepest pace with the rider ahead.

Our journey shall conclude near the venerable Rose and Crown of fair Ivinghoe, and shouldst thou not have wearied of the place after Friday’s revels, we shall gather there for sustenance and a hearty recounting of the morn’s brave encounters with carriage-drivers.

Three routes for your enjoyment this Sunday. Also a reminder that on Friday 12th December there will be a pre-Christmas drinks gathering at the rose and crown for regular riders and old friends!

Being the first Sunday of the month the 9am ride will stop for coffee and cake. The winter 9am rides are suitable for anyone who can maintain a 15 mph average in a group, the pace is not pushed in the same way as when summer bikes are in use. Extra clothing and slightly deminished winter fitness mean we take a more steady approach! This week we ride just under 40 miles on “the twin peaks” of The Crong and The Hale, steady climbing then regrouping will take place at the tops so we can ride as a group on the flat! Our coffee stop is planned for Nanna Cake Cafe just before Bridego bridge, so not far to ride after the cake stop!

At 10am riders can enjoy the majority of the 9am route with the second peak taken out, The Crong will still be a good challenge on this 32 mile option. As with all three routes we start at Ivinghoe church and return to the rose and crown for some rehydration.

Our 10.30 offering from Grant is a 23 mile double loop going out as far as Bedgrove, this route, with just the one climb up Tring Hill, should have riders back at the rose and crown knocking on the door at opening time!

9am twin peaks https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53441602

10am one peak https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53441730

10.30am half a peak https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53438643