Ivinghoe Velos HQ have received a call from an eagle eyed rider to let us know that the 37 mile route on Sunday 9th May proposes to use Marsh Lane after Stoke Mandaville which is closed. If this is the case the detour would be along the A4010 bringing the route back into Little Kimble. Our route planners use local knowledge to avoid closures where possible, while HS2 and East-West Rail works continue we may encounter some unexpected closures for the foreseeable future, riders joining our rides should be prepared to reroute as required.

A heads up for anyone wishing to ride a bit longer on Sundays, the 9am route on 23rd May will be a 75 mile and will include a coffee stop during the ride. Arrival back in Ivinghoe is expected to be at 3pm.

We have three rides to choose from this week. Please arrive before the expected start time with a fully functional road biking machine and a good knowledge of the route. Rides start from the church in Ivinghoe and we will split into groups of up to six riders dictated by how fast you’d like to ride or who you’d like to talk to. Once in your group please regularly look over your shoulder to ensure the rest of your group is within a few millimetres of your rear wheel, particularly at junctions. Don’t leave anybody behind (until maybe the final sprint)

10.30 start: 20 miles out to Wingrave and Wilstone https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35925789

10am start: 37 miles Out to Princess Risborough over the hill to Great Missenden and back via the Lee. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35925755

9am start: 56 miles Beautiful Bucks By Burnham Beeches https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35937002

We are getting pretty close to calling “last orders” on the team kit order, so please take the opportunity to furnish your wardrobe with some lovely Ivinghoe Velos kit by visiting the online store here: https://eucustom.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?May2021

One route for everyone to ride this Tuesday, if you are short of time or energy you could short cut after Cholesbury 10.6 miles into the ride going straight on rather than left on Shire lane. The meeting place will be Pitstone roundabout at 6.30pm. As usual we encourage you to split into groups of up to six riders riding at a pace you are comfortable with and that once in your group you keep an eye on all your riders with you so no one gets left behind (until the final sprint!)

Big thanks to Dave Bembridge for consistently coming up with routes for us to follow, including this one, it would be great to have some new perspectives for future rides, so if you would like to contribute to route planning feel free to send your suggestions to davehowe@aol and I will add them into future posts.

24 miles to Cholesbury: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35902557

Great to see so many of our group out enjoying the rides on Sunday. To really feel part of the gang why not invest in some lovely team kit!? The order cycle is currently open, so get in there now!

Kit order: https://eucustom.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?May2021

Before we get onto rides this week we would like to highlight the opportunity to purchase some lovely Ivinghoe Velos “team kit” It’s a great design and looks amazing when the whole crew is wearing our colours so follow the link and check out the order options https://eucustom.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?May2021 Ordering is open to 10th May and it’s around a six week turn round from the end of the order cycle to delivery of kit. The order will be delivered to a central point and then distributed among those who have placed orders.

This week we have three ride options. All routes start from Ivinghoe church and we will split into pace groups if more than six riders will to riding the course. The 9am route will be an ideal opportunity for those wanting to do a bit more but feeling a bit apprehensive about the step up to bigger distances. It’s not too long and not too hilly! The 10am route climbs Aston Hill into some lovely Buckinghamshire Countryside, at 10.30 we keep in flat as a pancake with an outing to Stoke Mandeville.

9am 51 miles with a climb ration of 36 feet per mile https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34407103

10am 34 miles with a climb ration of 45 feet per mile https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35841545

10.30am 24 miles, climb ration of 27 feet per mile https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35841639

These routes are planned to be ridden on road bikes. Please remember to arrive before the ride start time, have a good knowledge of the route you plan to ride, stay safe and enjoy the group ride experience!

Three routes to choose from for these mid-week group rides, focusing on flat and fast, with a little kick at the finish! We meet at the round about in Pitstone and ride from 6.30pm. While staying safe and courteous to other road users the aim of the game is to work as a team to get round the route as quickly as the team can manage. Current guidelines require us to ride in groups of six, so we will split into teams as riders arrive. We will finish back at the Pitstone roundabout for a debrief!

CHAIN BREAKER A: To Ivinghoe, through Slapton, turn left, up to the Rye, through Tottenhoe, then Eaton Bray, back into Slapton, through Ivinghoe Aston to the one climb of the ride before turning for home on the Beacon road https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35824976 22 miles.

CHAIN BREAKER B: Ivinghoe, Slapton, The Rye, Tottenhoe, Eaton Bray, Slapton, Cheddington https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35824995 20 miles

CHAIN BREAKER C: Cheddington, Slapton, The Rye, Eaton Bray, Slapton, Ivinghoe https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35825043 16 miles

Some diary dates for you…… In May (possibly 23rd?) there will be a longer Sunday ride with a coffee stop down to do a lap or two of Dorney Lake. The ride will be a 9am start and will take in 75 miles of Chiltern countryside, there will be no prescribed pace, everyone welcome! On 18th July several Velos have signed up for the Hemel Hillbuster which starts from Gadebridge Park, worth a look for a nice summer charity challenge https://www.dens.org.uk/event/hemel-hillbuster/ and in August to help celebrate our master route planner Dave Bembridge’s birthday we will be running a set of charity rides, hopefully, god willing, from the Rose and Crown!

Four routes to choose from this week all kicking off from the lay by outside Ivinghoe church. So pick your route, let people know on the facebook rear hub poll and enjoy the ride!

9am “Hellfire Hills” A hilly route this week taking in 3,300 feet of climbing in a little under 60 miles (57 feet of climb per mile) this route enjoys the best the Chiltern Hills have to offer visiting Butlers Cross, Bryant’s Bottom, Bledlow Ridge, Radnage and Great Kimble. Some new roads and a ride profile like sharks teeth! https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35759287

10am “The Downs” 1,500 feet of climbing across 34 miles (44 feet of climb per mile) from the lowlands of Tottenhoe we climb up to Dustable Downs and then through Flamstead to Redbourne, back home via Gaddesden Row. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35778752

10.30am “Wingave Wonder” 700 feet of climbing in this picturesque 24 mile route (29 feet of climb per mile) out to Stanbridge and then across to Wingrave https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35778795

11am “Wiggington Descender” social ride doing 800 feet of climbing in 17 miles (47 feet of climb per mile) to Aldbury and Wiggington. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35778830

Please arrive before the start time of your chosen ride with a good knowledge (or plumbed in sat nav) of your route. Stick to groups of up to six riders, splitting into pace groups if required. Our aim is to encourage participation through supporting all members of the groups to complete the route together. Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

As we get more usable daylight we will extend our Tuesday rides, this week we get up to 20 miles! We also have a 16 mile version on a similar trajectory through Wingrave. A third option at a social pace may also be available depending on personnel on the night. We meet at the roundabout in Pitstone at 6.30pm. Team work makes the dream work, so stick in groups of up to six and work together to get round the route quickly and safely.

This is a road bike specific event (unless you are super fit you will struggle to keep up on chunky tires!) Lights to see you home safely are recommended.

6.30 longer option https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35748828 meet park side of the roundabout

6.30 Medium option https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35749638 meet Cheddington Road side of the roundabout.

Four ride choices for this Sunday, while the cycling gods have been delivering for fabulous dry weather, the council have been delivering roads covered in cat litter, so be careful out there!

10.30am social 20 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35710435

10.30am 25 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35710400

10am 35 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35710364

9am 57 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34399996

Please remember to obey the current government guidelines by keeping our groups to a maximum of six riders. Please remember to memorize the route so when taking your turn on the front you lead your group in the right direction. Please look after your whole group and ensure on one gets left behind.

A face book poll accessed via our rear hub group will allow you to broadcast your intended activity which will enable us to predict group sizes and will encourage others out as they will know there will be company on the ride!

This week we have two planned routes for you to consider for your Tuesday outing, one is copied from last week as cold temperatures and snow put paid to anyone doing it!

16 miles including Wiggington https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35674925

18 miles with three Climbs https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35601305

Both rides kick off at 6.30pm and will be ridden in pace groups if rider numbers for an option are greater than 6. Please meet on the park side of the Pitstone roundabout for the 18 mile ride and the Cheddington Road side for the 16 mile route. lights are recommended!

We have four road bike routes for Velos riders to chose from on Sunday varying in length from 15 miles up to 53 miles, so have a good look at the courses, commit it to memory (or satnav), add your intention on the facebook “rear hub” poll published at the end of the week and see you on Sunday!

Please arrive just before your route start time, at the church in Ivinghoe. We will ride in groups of up to six and split into pace groups if rides are over subscribed. Please remember “no one gets left behind” relies on co-operation from each rider in your group, teamwork makes the dream work! Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

9am 53 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35632029

10am 35 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35631377

10.30am 24 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35631415

11am 15 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35631443