The usual three ride options for riders joining us on Sunday. After 62 mile rides on the last three Sundays we drop down to 45 miles for a change at 9am, the other routes are the usual 32 miles and 23 miles.

All rides meet before the start time outside Ivinghoe church.

10.30 am short route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52223457

10.00 am medium route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52223276

9.00 am long route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52274373

During the early 90s my musical brother was in a local band called “snot trough” as you can imagine romantic ballads were not a speciality. “BVHC” was their top song which was all about the Bovingdon Village Hard Core, the 9am route travels to the heartland of the BVHC, expect the sound of Thrash Metal from behind garage doors.

The 10am route travels to Dunstable, a town famous for producing indie popster “badly drawn boy” Damon Gough won a Mercury music prize in 2000 for his album “The hour of the Bewilderbeast”, sounds just like an Ivinghoe Velos 10am group!

At 10.30 Our route takes in Cow Roast, if you return on bank holiday Monday you will see cover version band “mouth on a stick” playing at the Artisan pub, an energetic acoustic duo who will perform songs from 1950s to modern day classics, you might even hear the song “I want to ride my bicycle”

Roll On Sunday.

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.

Three rides for your enjoyment this Sunday with the longer option starting from a different location so we can ride on some different roads. Ride lengths are 22, 31 and 62 miles.

10.30am shortest option is a trip up to Stewkley https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52053402 leaving Ivinghoe church & heading North

10am From Ivinghoe church the medium route wiggles round Buckinghamshire lanes to Chesham https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52053854

9.30am (yes 9.30) From Cranfield High Street War Memorial MK43 0DP a route that heads North on quiet unfamiliar roads https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51892557 plenty of free parking on the high street or side roads.

All rides will be ridden at a pace that keeps the group together, the short and medium routes run straight through, so you should be knocking on the door at the pub at opening time, the longer route has a planned stop at Colmworth golf club.

Three rides for Sunday 3rd August 2025. As the schools have broken up, the weather as usual has gone downhill, the proposed “away day” from Cranfield will be moved back a week to 10th August. as currently light rain is likely from 9am to 5pm on Sunday, it would be a shame to spoil a great ride with puddles and poor visibility. We will ride local routes with good options to cut back if the rain does show up, often we get away with a reasonable ride despite a gloomy forecast and the forecast does tend change a few times before Sunday!

We can have a coffee stop at Bradmoor Farm, Haddenham, on the longer ride if riders like this option.

Thanks to Richard F for the short and medium routes.

All rides begin at Ivinghoe church and return to the same spot, within crawling distance to a bowl of cheesy chips and some liquid refreshment.

9am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51975796 56 miles flat earth special Bradmoor Farm

10am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51955671 32 miles flat earth special (2) Marsh

10.30am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51955814 21 miles to Northchurch

Roll on Sunday

Cycling has strong sustainability credentials due to its low environmental impact and numerous health and social benefits. It’s a zero-emission mode of transport, contributing to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, cycling promotes physical activity, which has positive effects on individual health and well-being

Cycling requires significantly less space than roads and parking areas for cars, freeing up space for green areas and parks.

Cycling can foster a sense of community and social interaction, especially when cycling is encouraged through events and infrastructure development (or beers at the Rose and Crown)

Lots of recycling goes on within cycling with a portion of lots of bike frames made from recycled material and several schemes involving the collection of used inner tubes to be sent away to reclaim the rubber, saving 80% on energy consumption compared to starting from scratch.

With all this in mind and to further push cycling’s green credentials we are recycling last weeks rides as it appears no one fancied riding last Sunday.

9am from Ivinghoe church “Up The Clappers” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51721233 (63 feet per mile of climbing)

10am from Ivinghoe church “Medium undulating circumnavigation of Leighton Buzzard” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51715853 (44 feet per mile of climbing)

10.30am From Ivinghoe church “Short up to Studhanm and Whipsnade before a flat run to home” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51715976 (47 feet per mile of climbing)

Here are your route options for Sunday. There is a spicy 50 mile 9am ride including Bison Hill and Shapenhoe Clappers, two 10am options, a route around Leighton Buzzard, or an away day ride to Newmarket and Lavenham and a 10.30 trip to Studham

9am from Ivinghoe church “Up The Clappers” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51721233 (63 feet per mile of climbing)

10am from Ivinghoe church “Medium undulating circumnavigation of Leighton Buzzard” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51715853 (44 feet per mile of climbing)

10am from Huffers cafe Sudbury “Lets go horse racing, Newmarket and lavenham” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51177853 (42 feet per mile of climbing)

10.30am From Ivinghoe church “Short up to Studhanm and Whipsnade before a flat run to home” https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51715976 (47 feet per mile of climbing)

This Sunday we have an opportunity to have a bit of fun in the sun while supporting a charity working on ways to beat cancer.

This week it’s three special local routes, all devised by Dave B for you to enjoy, perhaps you have been inspired by watching a bit of the action from across the channel and are itching to get on 2 wheels to emulate the pros?

There are rides for all abilities, so if you are not a regular we would love to see you on Sunday where you can find out more about our weekly rides as well as experience a group ride with us! Maybe you are curious, maybe you have ridden in the past, use this Sunday as motivation to get out and ride!

We would like to raise a bit of money as our annual one off good deed, so please add some cash to the pot, consider it an entry fee to our home made sportive, or sponsorship for those who ride if you prefer a sofa Sunday.

Here is a link to make a donation, small or large everything helps: https://www.justgiving.com/page/dave-bembridge-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=018&fbclid=IwY2xjawLaK5hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1Z0xKbGJyMm5vWjdJR3ltAR5C6InduS-3afQIDv2iHYl98DtBKqr3obTgQxuedXKbV9zeiI_h44R7vjOw3Q_aem_bl_EN4D9U-rkh6v8jvYrTw

The routes all start from Ivinghoe church. Dave has negotiated a late pass with the Rose and Crown pub, so the rides start LATER THAN USUAL at a time that will get us back after their lunchtime rush.

If you are wanting post ride food please order it in advance of Sunday by visiting the pub to give the pub a fair chance of getting the correct levels of staff and food.

We hope to encourage extra riders out with us, so bikes will be left on a rack across the road. We suggest bringing a lock before your ride and attaching it to the rack so it’s ready on your return.

10.30 LONG https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51185145 59 miles, rolling

12.00 MEDIUM https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51185316 26 miles, gentle hills

12.30 SHORT https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51431000 10 miles, flat

Roll on Sunday

Three rides for riders to enjoy this Sunday and with it being the first Sunday on the month the longer ride will include a coffee stop! All rides start at Ivinghoe church, please arrive before the advertised start time to join the group.

10.30am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51403355 same as last week as unused, 22 miles with 38 feet per mile of climbing

10am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50340017 Wing and Cubblington loop a shade under 30 miles with 36 feet per mile of climbing

9am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51383736 Spoke and Spire Via some Chiltern Hills 65 miles, 58 feet per mile of climbing

CHARITY RIDE NEXT WEEKEND…… SUNDAY 13th JUY 2025

Please see details below, copied from “route planner extraordinaire” Dave Bembridge’s facebook post for our activities for the following Sunday. It would be amazing to get as many riders as possible joining the groups for this charity ride. One important reminder is to book your food at the rose and crown in advance of the day so if there is a large demand the pub can make sure there is enough food and staff to serve it! The rides have options for all abilities so everyone should feel welcome to come along and enjoy a group ride.

Sunday 13th July We are pleased to announce the return of our charity ride There are three rides to choose from, all starting and finishing at Ivinghoe Church Bus Stop and celebrating with a well deserved at the Rose and Crown afterwards. There is not an entry fee to join in but we just ask for a donation for the chosen Charity. Cancer Research UK . This can be done on our Just Giving Page

https://www.justgiving.com/page/dave-bembridge-2…

10.30am Start
A challenging ride through local roads with a few steady climbs along the route. of 59 miles with 2807 ft of climb
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51185145

12.00 pm Start
A middle distance route of 26 miles with a couple of short Climbs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51185316

12.30 pm Start And a social flat rode of 10 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51431000

The Rose and Crown have kindly offered to keep their kitchen open so you can order either a meal, a sandwich or a bowl of chips to go with your well deserved refreshment. Please ensure you place your order with them before the previous Saturday Evening so they can plan their staffing levels.

Daisychain are also open serving Teas and Coffees, Cake and Light Snacks before and after the rides.

Due to the volume of riders expected no bikes will be allowed in the Beer Garden so we will have a bike rack across the road for our bikes. You can attach your lock to this prior to the ride.

important note.
As this is a charity ride all riders do so at their own risk

Three rides on offer this Sunday, the usual mix of pace and distances.

All rides start from outside Ivinghoe church and finish up roughly in the same spot where the pull of beer and cheesy chips will be too much of a temptation for some. Please arrive before the ride start time with a good understanding of your chosen route. Add your name to the participation poll on face book if you can, this encourages other riders. Ride with the groups on Sundays when you can, otherwise there may not be a group to ride with when you want to in the future!

10.30am short ride https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51403355 22 miles with 38 feet per mile of climbing

10am medium ride https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51402369 30 miles with 38 feet per mile of climbing

9am long ride https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51418623 59 miles with 38 feet per mile of climbing (do you see what I did there?)

Thanks to Richard and Dave for the shorter routes, it must be very challenging coming up with original courses within a short radius, however we are lucky to have lots of options and expert route planners to make the rides happen.

9am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51204512 52 miles, climb ratio 38 feet per mile

10am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51169685 31 miles, climb ration 52 feet per mile.

10.30am https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51299375 22 miles, climb ratio 50 feet per mile

Rides start and finish at Ivinghoe church, please arrive before the ride start time with a good understanding of the route

Save the date: Sunday 13th July 2025, our annual charity ride- join us if you possibly can, be part of the local cycling community and raise a little bit of money for a good cause.