Reach Ride 2019 sees nearly a thousand people cycle to the fair
On Bank Holiday Monday 6 May, we hosted our 13th annual group cycle ride to the historic Reach Fair. Camcycle led the Reach Ride from Cambridge city centre and were joined on route by many who waited beneath our orange ‘Reach Ride’ signs. There was also a ride from Ely, led by members of Ely Cycling Campaign (right) which met us at Reach. The head of the ride arrived in Reach shortly before noon, in time to see Cambridge Mayor Gerri Bird open the fair and lead in the traditional throwing of pennies to the crowd.
Each year, the Ride attracts a large and diverse range of people on bikes. This year, nearly a thousand people cycled to Reach (we counted 989 saddles in the village cycle parks, and many others continued on for longer rides or joined us for shorter sections of the route). We welcomed a host of new faces and together travelled the fourteen and a half miles to the village of Reach on everything from tandems and tricycles to cargo bikes and trailers. Also spotted cycling near Reach were penny farthings and unicycles!
Yan and her son Zhixing were first-timers on the ride. Yan said, “This has been a really good memory for us and, if we get the chance again, we’d like to come back. It’s a good chance to meet friends and experience the UK’s culture. I enjoy the fresh air, the countryside and beautiful scenery and my son likes cycling.” Zhixing agreed, saying “I want to ride my bike everywhere!”
Camcycle regular Janet also enjoyed the ride and said that this year the pacing was just right. She said, “I’ve done the ride quite a few times, in all sorts of different conditions, but it’s always been great. The Reach Ride takes a nice route and has a family atmosphere – I’ve done most of it today behind a six-year-old!”
We were delighted to have another successful ride with lots of families joining the fun. The weather stayed fine, and we had fewer punctures than in previous years. We’re extremely grateful to all the volunteers who worked hard to make the event so enjoyable and to the mechanics from Outspoken Cycles for keeping everyone cycling and happy.
This year the Reach Ride welcomed new sponsors Continental Tyres and was again supported by the Cambridge City Council Cycling Promotion Fund.
The next Reach Ride will take place on Monday 4 May 2020, and Camcycle will be hosting more rides and cycling events in September as part of the Cambridge Festival of Cycling.