Pick a fine day and get on your bike

Yes, you can go out for a run, or a walk, but nothing beats bombing down a hill at speed (even if you do face a climb uphill afterwards). It’s a bit chilly at the moment, but grab a pair of gloves and you’ll be fine.

This ride starts in Toddington – take the turn into Park Road (opposite St George’s Church), and after a few hundred yards turn right into Long Lane.

Unsurprisingly, Long Lane is actually very long, but being mostly downhill it’s also a lot of fun. It’s a quiet road, and the only other person you’re likely to pass on a Sunday morning will be another cyclist, so it’s the perfect opportunity to whizz downhill and feel like you’re twelve years old again (although I’m sure picking up this much speed wasn’t remotely scary back then).

Eventually you’ll hit Tingrith – take a left at the junction or go right for a quick foray into the village. It’s only small but if you’re a property voyeur like me it’s worth taking a look.

Heading out of the village, continue on for about a mile and then take the left at Lower Rads End, continue on until you reach a T junction, and then turn left into the amusingly-named Witts End. This area is all part of Eversholt, which I used to think was one place but is actually a collection of tiny villages.

At the end of the road you’ll reach Brook End, home to a church, the Green Man pub (which recently featured in the Observer food awards), and Eversholt cricket ground.

In the summertime it’s a great place to stop for a while as it’s an extremely picturesque setting, especially if there’s a match on. There’s even an open air swimming pool adjacent if you fancy a dip.

From here, continue past the village hall and take a left when you reach Tyrells End (the turn is opposite a beautiful Tudor house), and you’re on the road into the Woburn estate. I’ve featured it in this column before so I won’t go on about it, but this road cuts directly through the deer park, giving stunning vistas on both sides.

Once you reach Woburn village, turn left at the main junction onto the A4012 – traffic-wise this will be the busiest stretch of the ride. After about a mile and a half, take the first left opposite a gatehouse, and after a 200 yards turn right into Milton Bryan.

I’ve only just found out that this village has a fascinating history, as during the Second World War a fake German radio station was set up here, broadcasting ‘black’ propaganda that attempted to turn Germans against the Nazis.

In Milton Bryan you’ll also find the Red Lion pub and, opposite, a well-stocked stall outside the former post office (now a house) that sells home-made jams and chutneys. Again, the houses are well worth a gander, with the chimneys at Fountaine’s Farm particularly spectacular.

Keep to the main road, which takes you around a sharp left bend, and you’re back on Park Road heading towards Toddington. Now, I once saw a black squirrel along this road (a creature that I wasn’t even aware existed at the time, so imagine my surprise). It’s a feat I’ve never been able to replicate, so I’d be keen to hear if anyone else has seen one in these parts.

It’s a couple of miles back to Toddington, passing Herne Manor Farm and Toddington Manor along the way. After all that exertion you’ll probably need drink – worry not, there are no fewer than five pubs at which you can slake your thirst.