We start with an interesting extra option this week from Dave Howe.

10am start from Little Berkhamsted, 48 miles

If you are bored on the same local routes, this could be the day out for you! As usual we will moderate the pace to be inclusive of all riders as long as you can maintain 15mph. The ride starts at 10am at the church in Little Berkhamsted (SG13 8LZ). Parking is side roads around the village. It’s about a one hour drive from Ivinghoe. The ride is 48 miles at an expected 15-16mph, so 3 hours of riding, I would expect you could be back home for 2.15pm. It’s about 2,400 feet of climbing, so similar to our usual rides. Due to Covid19 restrictions and people travelling from different start points, we suggest meeting there on your bike ready to ride at 10am.

9am start from Ivinghoe Church, 52 miles

10am start from Ivinghoe Church, 37 miles

10am start from Ivinghoe Church, 20 miles

As always, please bring a copy of your chosen route with you. A reminder that we are strictly sticking to the rules, therefore we must only gather and ride in a group of 6 or less.

Another great turnout last Sunday ! Here are your choice of rides for this Sunday.

9am start, 52 miles

10am start, 30 miles

10am start, 20 miles

As per the last few weeks, we must stick to the 6 riders at most in a group both on the road and when we assemble at the area between the Ivinghoe Church and the Windmill Close bus stop.

Please bring a copy of your chosen route either on your fancy pants GPS device or old school on a bit of paper.

The turn-out last Sunday was even better than the previous week. Again, we were in our groups of a maximum of 6 riders which keeps us legal and relatively safe.

9am start, 55 miles

10am start, 29 miles

10am start, 22 miles

As is now the norm, we are starting our rides from the area between the Ivinghoe Church and the Windmill Close bus stop. Please bring a copy of your chosen route with you.

We always welcome new riders and have a commitment that no rider gets left behind so if you are thinking of coming along, please do.

Last Sunday was a very successful return to socially distanced cycling for three small, but perfectly formed, groups (one at 9am and two for the 10am ride). We did enjoy the fact that most riders were wearing the club kit so we did look the part. Again, this Sunday, we will be continuing the same “distancing rules” as detailed in last week’s post. Mr Bembridge has reserved us a couple of tables in the Beer Garden at the Rose and Crown where we can catch-up in our distinct groups after the ride.

9am start, 53 miles

10am start, 31 miles

10am start, 24 miles

As a reminder, we meet in the area between the Ivinghoe Church and the Windmill Close bus stop. As usual, please bring a copy of your chosen route with you.

Hello … it has been a while

As the Covid rules are starting to be relaxed, we here at Velos Towers thought we might start a very gentle journey back towards riding as a group again. To ensure we all stay safe, we will be strictly sticking to the Government guidelines and rules explained in detail on the Government Covid Website.

The Rules

If you have any of the symptoms, please stay at home. Or, if you are in a vulnerable group please don’t join us – it’s better to go solo to absolutely eliminate any chance of picking up the virus.

We plan to change our meeting spot to the car park area by the entrance to Ivinghoe Church and Windmill Close in Ivinghoe. This gives us plenty of space to ensure that, if there are more than 6 of us, we gather into distinct groups that are self contained and do not mix with the other groups. There must not be any chance that an onlooker might thing that we are a single group of riders numbering more that 6 people.

If there are more than 6 riders, then each group must leave the start at different times and must not join up with another group during the ride at any time.

When riding keep a minimum of 2m apart. Give your fellow riders more space if you can.

Each rider must take responsibility for their own safety and adherence to the Government Covid Rules. Please don’t take our interpretation of the rules as advice. You should read the linked site above and decide for yourself if your activity is within the guidelines.

The Rides

9am start, 50 mile ride

10am start, 33 mile ride

10am start, 25 mile ride

The Beer

The wonderful Mr Brembridge has reserved two outside tables at the Rose & Crown in Ivinghoe for use by The Velos. This means a maximum of 6 people per table and we need to socialise as these distinct groups. When you arrive at the pub you are obliged to give your details to a member of staff as per the Government rules. There will be a table service for for food and drinks.

We must not leave our bikes at the front of the pub. The landlord Mick has arranged for us to be able to store our bikes safely in the shed at the back of the pub. The door to the shed, alongside the pub, will be open.

A happy Easter to all Ivinghoe Velos. Hope everyone is fit and well. Easter has traditionally been a time when the roads have been quieter than normal so we have ridden routes on slightly more major roads, in 2018 we have an excursion on the A413 between Chesham and Aylesbury (https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4710173.html) and last year we made it to Gawcott (https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4900123.html).

Anyone taking their daily exercise on a bike recently will appreciate that quiet roads are not unusual right now. So whether you relive an old ride, stay close to home like last weeks loop (https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5033200.html) or make use of the dry trails on your mountain bike (https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5039784.html) Stay safe, ride alone and enjoy your route.

Hello to all Ivinghoe Velos, hoping everyone is fit and well and looking forward to some sunshine and warm temperatures this weekend. Usually when we get a decent forecast we would put out the rallying call to get as many riders out as possible on Sunday morning. However sadly, solo rides and staying local are the two main criteria for my riding suggestion. Here is a little 20 mile classic flat loop which starts at the bottom of Westfield Road in Pitstone. I’ve been really creative with the title for the ride, it’s called the Westfield Road 20 mile flat classic loop. Tackle this loop at your leisure over the weekend, ride solo and check out who else has been out and about on Strava. Having ridden it myself on Friday evening I can confirm all roads are open and surfaces and generally good.

20 mile ride whenever you like route: https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5033200.html

Stay safe and stay well

Hoping all Ivinghoe Velos are fit and well this weekend. Two ride options for you this week. Only to be considered as a solo ride. To encourage this and to avoid accidental meet ups, the start point of the rides is not the Rose and Crown. Tackle these ride suggestions whenever you have time over the weekend!

One road ride and one MTB ride. The rides are planned to keep you close to home so if you have any issues you will be able to get yourself home without the need for unnecessary car travel.

Regular exercise increases your immunity to infection, 60 minutes a day is enough to trigger the immune response. Exercise releases endorphins to make you happy. There are some theories that high intensity exercise for an extended period of time can leave athletes susceptible to illness. Some exercise is far better than no exercise, but don’t over do it! These rides aim to hit the sweet spot!

With the wind coming down from the North the 25 mile road route heads that way first giving riders a tail wind return from Soulbury. As mountain bike riding is not so effected by wind this 23 mile route heads south before returning via Dancers End.

Ride solo, ride with extra caution and enjoy the dry conditions and quiet roads, see you on strava!

Road 25 https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5027943.html

MTB 23 https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5027948.html

We have two rides on offer this week, one of 40 miles and one of 24 miles, both setting off at 10am. Due to encouraging comments via our social media channel it’s clear some riders still want to get out and exercise despite the current difficulties we all face. A quick check on strava confirms many riders are still riding outdoors in controlled groups. If government policy dictates further measures we will react this week and in future weeks to support these policies.

It’s recommended to keep 2m from other individuals so if there are large numbers of riders on a route we need to split into smaller groups to help with spacing. Although the roads may be quieter we need to take extra care to stay safe and not be a burden on the heroes at the NHS. Getting fresh air and company at a relaxed pace is the order of the day. Anyone wishing to ride solo can check out the routes and give us a wave if our paths cross.

We cannot advocate meeting indoors post ride. Please don’t feel the need to show your face if you are self isolating due to contact with someone who has any virus symptoms or you have shown any symptoms yourself. Stay well everybody.

10am Bunkers Blast https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5023306.html

10am Dagnal 24 https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5023313.html

This week we follow a similar format to last Sundays rides with an additional few miles at 9am before groups meet for the main rides at 10am. This seemed to work well last week with the longer 10am group completing 40 odd miles at around 16mph. More of the same this week! The longer route of 40 miles will visit Wobun, while a 25 mile shorter option sticks to the lowlands around Slapton.

Whilst we often have high temperatures, excessive sweating and shortness of breath when attempting Bison Hill in a rain jacket, if you have these symptoms while reading this update on your sofa you probably should give the next couple of weeks a miss. For anyone with contamination concerns, some of our members have, over the years, practised social distancing by deliberately sitting off the back of our group (particularly again on Bison Hill), so feel free to join our rides in whatever position you are comfortable in. Leading experts may have said that cycling builds resilience to viral infections so there is no better time to get on your bike. With most other sport postponed we may see a small increase in roadside fans so be sure to look out your best weatherproof kit this weekend.

9am add on https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5020986.html

10am longer https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5020978.html

10am shorter https://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5020985.html