106 km forum ride from Leighton Buzzard to Chilterns and Aylesbury Vale, 5th Aug 2017

[ColinJ]

Not the typical mega-hilly northern forum ride from me this time ...

My sister has recently moved to Linslade (Leighton Buzzard) and I went down to check out her new home a couple of weeks ago.

Local CC member @shirokazan (Paul) read about my visit and suggested that we might get together while I was down so we met and went to a cafe in Leighton Buzzard where he treated me to coffee and cake. I said that I would return the favour ASAP and have decided to arrange a forum ride from LB to provide a suitable coffee/cake-opportunity!

Paul knows the local roads so it made sense to delegate the route planning to him. He has come up with what looks like a very nice route 106 km (66 miles) in length. Here is a simple map of the route, to be tackled clockwise.

And here is the elevation profile ...

As you can see, there is a nice flat warm up of 11 km (7 miles) before we get into the Chilterns, which are of course, er, hilly - that's the whole point of them ... They look big enough to be interesting, but not so big as to be intimidating.

Paul assures me that there are some great views to be had on the ride, and I have no reason to doubt him!

It will be a friendly, chatty ride. I would take a guess and say that we would not average less than 15 kph (9.5 mph) or more than 24 kph (15 mph) including stops. If that kind of ride appeals to you, please express your interest below!

I haven't met many riders from that area and I'm not sure that Paul has either. It would be nice to put some faces to forum names!

More details (including a GPX file of the route) will be provided in due course, but feel free to ask any questions. If I can't answer them then I am sure Paul will be able to.

 

[shirokazan]

Paul assures me that there are some great views to be had on the ride, and I have no reason to doubt him!

Don't oversell the views, Colin! Substantial parts of the Chilterns section are in the trees but it opens out on the return leg - my favourite bit in fact is the section around Pitchcott to Cublington which, after a short uphill section, has some fine views back across to the Chilterns - great for trying to pick out where you've been! A longer variation is to head north-west from Chearsley to the fine hill of Brill (complete with restored windmill) - great views across Oxfordshire and (literally) middle (southern central) England.

 

[Ian H]

There's a nice 600 starts from there.

 

[toffee]

Well I would be up for this. Not sure about the hills but I would give them a go.
However I am not available that weekend. If you are doing another one let me know or if this one moves dates.

 

[ColinJ]

There's a nice 600 starts from there.

Only about 400 too far for me!

Well I would be up for this. Not sure about the hills but I would give them a go.
However I am not available that weekend. If you are doing another one let me know or if this one moves dates.

My sister intends living in Linslade for the next couple of years until she retires so I will be coming down at least another 4 or 5 times. In fact, I am coming down again at the end of September for her birthday so I may organise another ride on Sunday, 24th September. See if you can come along on that one?

 

[toffee]

Only about 400 too far for me!


My sister intends living in Linslade for the next couple of years until she retires so I will be coming down at least another 4 or 5 times. In fact, I am coming down again at the end of September for her birthday so I may organise another ride on Sunday, 24th September. See if you can come along on that one?

I see this could be difficult, got a feeling that weekend is out as well.

Oh well I am sure I'll make one of your rides

 

[ColinJ]

Don't oversell the views, Colin! Substantial parts of the Chilterns section are in the trees but it opens out on the return leg - my favourite bit in fact is the section around Pitchcott to Cublington which, after a short uphill section, has some fine views back across to the Chilterns - great for trying to pick out where you've been! A longer variation is to head north-west from Chearsley to the fine hill of Brill (complete with restored windmill) - great views across Oxfordshire and (literally) middle (southern central) England.

It looks like we could turn left in Long Crendon and head north to Chilton, then northwest to Brill, heading back to the original route via Ashendon? That would only add about 13 km (8 miles). Maybe if we get good weather and we are feeling energetic, eh?

Hmmm. Not probable but not impossible

Well, it would be nice to meet you if you can make it. If not, there should be something similar at the end of September, but maybe missing out the Chilterns and heading further north.

I see this could be difficult, got a feeling that weekend is out as well.

Oh well I am sure I'll make one of your rides

After September, it would probably be Spring 2018.

 

[Aravis]

I drove straight across the centre of your map yesterday afternoon from Ivinghoe to Thame, on the way home from a family funeral. I don't know the hills, but the views in the non-hilly part looked absolutely stunning and it certainly seems like a place you'd want to cycle. I rode through the area once, in 1976, so a return is overdue.

So, definite intent, but it depends on having use of the car for most of the day, and on me being brave enough to ask.

 

[jayonabike]

Not far from me, I could probably make this. I could meet you as you near the National Trust Ashridge estate.

 

[ColinJ]

I drove straight across the centre of your map yesterday afternoon from Ivinghoe to Thame, on the way home from a family funeral. I don't know the hills, but the views in the non-hilly part looked absolutely stunning and it certainly seems like a place you'd want to cycle. I rode through the area once, in 1976, so a return is overdue.

So, definite intent, but it depends on having use of the car for most of the day, and on me being brave enough to ask.

I don't know the area at all*** so I am looking forward to exploring it. It would be good if you could join us.



*** Actually, I just remembered that I went on a school trip to Whipsnade Zoo and St Albans in 1965, so I got a little look around then. I remember enjoying the trip. We had been learning about flint tools and weapons at school and I tried making a flint knife on a hillside at the zoo. I chipped away at a large piece of flint to make a sharp edge which I accidentally tested on the palm of my hand, by gashing it open!

 

[shirokazan]

It looks like we could turn left in Long Crendon and head north to Chilton, then northwest to Brill, heading back to the original route via Ashendon? That would only add about 13 km (8 miles). Maybe if we get good weather and we are feeling energetic, eh?

If we're going to Brill, then after Long Crendon continue (per current plan) to Chearsley, then head off towards Brill. There's a fantastic descent to the bridge (under the railway) - great for 40+mph! I'm a wuss so others can probably get over 50 mph. After Brill I usually head towards Grendon Underwood (nice prison there - the governor came to our school and delivered the Friday afternoon outside speaker event for us 6th formers - this was back in the 80s). Then back onto the original route after passing through Quainton (another place with a windmill).

 

[ColinJ]

Have you got any idea of start time? If I was available (and I'm still doubtful) then I might want to ride up from S. London to make it up to an imperial ton. But this would take me about 4 hours I think. So that may not be practical/compatible with having any sleep.

Edit. Or could aim to intercept you somewhere S of Aylesbury.

I had been thinking 09:00 from the front of LB railway station but could make it 10:00 if that would help? I would prefer not to make it much later than that.

 

[biggs682]

I had been thinking 09:00 from the front of LB railway station but could make it 10:00 if that would help? I would prefer not to make it much later than that.

i could be interested but would prefer a no later than 9 am start so i can get back to the family for rest of the day

 

[ColinJ]

i could be interested but would prefer a no later than 9 am start so i can get back to the family for rest of the day

Well, let's stick to 09:00 then!

 

[biggs682]

Well, let's stick to 09:00 then!

ok well its in the diary so long as nobody changes there plans this end

any car parking other than station as will drive over and back ?