The forecast is fantastic as are the routes we have on offer for this Sunday. Once again, our Routemaster General, Dave “The Hill” Howe has put them together. We are a little concerned that he is mellowing recently as these are positively flat. This probably is only a temporary thing though so please, grab them while you can.

First up is a great route on some new roads for us. It is 62 miles in length and really is just about a flat a route you can get for that distance (round here at least). We start at 9am for this one which Dave will be leading, and 10am for the other two – a 40  mile adventure (which links up with the longer ride towards the end) and a 30 miler. Now, if any of your are sitting there thinking, flipping heck, these are really long – just stop for a second and have a moment to consider what our own Martin Sisley is doing right now. Add the fact that the weather is great at the moment and you have the perfect recipe for getting out there on your bike.

9am start 62 mile route

10am start 40 mile route

10am start 30 mile route

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire,
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moone’s sphere;
And I serve the fairy queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green:
The cowslips tall her pensioners be;
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours,
In those freckles live their savours:
I must go seek some dew-drops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear.

The Tea Ride.  Every cyclist’s midsummer dream.
(As long as it’s the countryside, tea and cake anyway).

10am, The Rose & Crown, Ivinghoe.

In celebration of the Summer Solstice, we have a long ride for those who what to get some miles in –

Dave Howe’s Woburn Wonder – 42 miles

If you fancy a more reasonable ride, here is a sensible length route –

Leighton then Totternhoe – 24 miles

Both rides start from the Pitstone Roundabout at 6:30pm sharp.

So the Hegs’ are away and its time for more Sunday cycling fun!!

Thanks to Dave Bembridge (for amending the Chartridge Ride) to create a 62 mile route leaving the R&C at 0800

62 mile ride

At 1000 there is a choice of 2 rides

31 mile route

22 mile route

Whilst we are all out enjoying our rides spare a thought for Martin Sisley who has recently started his greatest cycling challenge and says:

“I wanted to thank everyone for your generous contributions.

Our original target was £2000 – already we are through £2500, with a little bit of luck we might even be able to make £3000, which would be fantastic.

https://www.justgiving.com/MJSisley

For anyone who wants to follow us – I have created a blog which I will be updating on a regular basis:

https://velomartinlejog.wordpress.com/

I will also do my best to update Strava each day – but that will depend on when and where I can blag access to a computer!

Cheers – see you all in a couple of weeks!”

Every Sat’day at the pub you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed two forty five
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew ya didn’t give no lip to Big Dave.
Big Dave
Big Daaaaaave
Castle-mead Dave

Everyone seemed to know where Dave called home
He drifted into town and he’s never seen alone
He didn’t say much, kinda quiet and shy
(yeah right!)
And when he speaks to you, you should at least say “Hi” to Big Dave.
Big Dave
Big Daaaaaave
Castle-mead Dave

Then came the day at the back of the ride
When a inner tube cracked and they all pulled aside
Riders were prayin’ and hearts beat fast
Everybody thought that patch wouldn’t last-‘cept Dave
Big Dave
Big Daaaaaave
Castle-mead Dave

Through the dust and the dirt of this man-made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the riders knew well
Grabbed a set of levers, not a mobile phone
And like a great mechanic he just fixed it alone – Big Dave
Big Dave
Big Daaaaaave
Castle-mead Dave

Now they never went back to that pot holed road
Just headed back to the pub for “one for the toad”
These few words are written ‘bout that day that
At the head of this ride is a big, big man – Big Dave
Big Dave
Big Daaaaaave
Castle-mead Dave

Saturday, 10am, The Rose & Crown
where Tea & Cake is the talk of the town…..

A fairly flat Tuesday evening route for anyone looking to enjoy this great weather. We start from Pitstone Roundabout at 6:30pm.

29 mile Tuesday Route

For those not doing the Tour de Vale, there are 2 routes to choose from this week.

Long Route – 40 miles via Chalfont

Shorter Route – 30 miles via Bovingdon

Both rides depart from the Rose and Crown at 10am.

Tour de Vale riders….. a group will be meeting at Pitstone Green roundabout (the one at the junction of Vicarage Road & Cheddington Road) from 8.15am.  The plan being a sedate cycle over to the start, setting off from the roundabout at 8.30am.

Have fun – be safe!

Meet outside the Rose and Crown at 10 am for cycling, tea, cake and adventures- all welcome. Waterproofs advisable.

We have a nice gentle ride from Dave “No hills today thank you” Howe for Tuesday evening. Many of you have been doing some big mileages and climbs over the weekend in some lovely sunshine so this will most definitely be a gentle recovery ride at a sensible pace. As usual for a Tuesday, we will be meeting at Pitstone Roundabout at 6:30pm.

Tuesday Evening Ride

We would like to send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to James Fairburn who had a nasty tumble on Sunday morning that put paid to his hopes to complete the Chiltern 100. While he has quite a few bumps and bruises, thankfully the only thing that was broken was his front wheel. We look forward to seeing him back out with us real soon.

For those not taking part in the Chiltern 100 or the Basin to Bar Ride, there are 2 routes to choose from this Sunday.

Round & about to Winslow and the Farmer’s Market, for those who want a stop along the way.  The 45 mile route can be downloaded here.

For those wanting something a little shorter, there’s a 24 mile route out to Rushmere Park that can be downloaded here.

Both rides will be leaving the Rose & Crown at 10am and there should be a pace to suit everyone.