2020 Cuppers’ Round-up
A few weeks before the Coronavirus lockdown, CUCC held its annual Cuppers’ Time Trial on the 29th February, in what would turn out to be the last taste of racing for many in a long while.
33 hardy souls braved the classically awful February weather, with some gale force winds making the outward leg to Newmarket great fun, but in turn making the return leg rather painful. As is standard on the slightly tricky turnaround (a roundabout with 5 exits), one rider somewhat inevitably took the wrong turning towards Six Mile Bottom, thankfully realising the mistake before getting to the A11.
Men’s winner Jack Brown suffering over the line in his “distinctive” new skinsuit…
Jesus College were the victors on the day, with a narrow margin of 2 points to second placed Emmanuel. Current Women’s Captain Elspeth (Girton) won the Women’s TT bike category in a time of 25:13, with Jess Godden (Emma) winning the road bike category with a 28:22.
Women’s winner Elspeth Grace, who also comfortably takes home the prize of the smallest CdA!
In the Men’s event, Jack Brown (Caius) successfully defended his 2019 title in a time of 20:35, with Rob Walker (Pembroke) coming a close 2nd in a 20:46 and Patrick Elwood (Magdalene) rounding out the podium with a 21:23. Craig Rogers (Fitz) continued his refusal to ride a TT bike but won the road bike category in a rapid 22:34. Fresher Henry Yates (Churchill) won the Town Bike category on his full suspension 29er, riding a 31:47.
Women’s Results
| Placing | Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elspeth Grace | 25:13 |
| 2 | Hannah Roberts | 25:45 |
| 3 | Jessica Godden | 28:22 |
| 4 | Clare Gayer | 28:39 |
| 5 | Fiona Bunn | 29:52 |
| 6 | Anne-Marie Bowring | 31:29 |
| 7 | Ellie Taylor | 33:14 |
Men’s Results
| Placing | Name | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Brown | 20:35 | ||
| 2 | Rob Walker | 20:46 | ||
| 3 | Patrick Elwood | 21:23 | ||
| 4 | Ali Golby | 21:45 | ||
| 5 | Craig Rogers | 22:34 | ||
| 6 | Jack Kellam | 22:39 | ||
| 7 | Euan Tebbutt | 23:19 | ||
| 8 | Dave Bell | 23:42 | ||
| 9 | Oliver Mosely | 23:56 | ||
| 10 | Ollie Fox | 24:29 |
Extraordinary Half Blue for John Grenfell-Shaw
At this term’s Men’s Blues Committee meeting it was unanimously agreed to confer an extraordinary award of a Half Blue to John Grenfell-Shaw.
Those of you who were members of CUCC between the years of 2015 and 2018 will have known ‘Gren’, either as a remarkably keen and industrious novice in his first year; or maybe looked up to him as a capable and rapid older hand, ever willing to pass on his hard-earned expertise to those just starting out.
The Blues committee recognised his performances at many levels: at BUCS where he recorded several top 20s as well as a top 10; at Varsity where Oxford’s top finisher was a full two minutes behind him; and finally at National level time trial events.
John’s obvious drive to do well and improve was matched with an unassuming modesty about what he achieved in the process, so hopefully this award will stand as a testament to his achievements, even if he wouldn’t trumpet them himself. Sadly, as many of you will know, it must also stand as a memorial to John, who died whilst out in the Lake District in 2018, and so was never able to receive it himself.
He is memorialised by the Club’s annual ‘John Grenfell-Shaw Award’ for ‘Most Improved Cyclist’, which has been kindly donated by his family, but as much by his spirit of faultless help and advice to those who needed it, and who have since passed it on in turn to newer generations.
Alumni Dinner 2020
In early February, CUCC began what it hopes to be an annual tradition with our first ever Alumni Dinner. A handful of our current riders welcomed back former members to Jesus College for an evening of great food, stories and a small amount of wine!
We were lucky to have Alumni dating all the way back to the ’70s join us, allowing a great spread of generations to realise that while some things may change across the years, CUCC will always share love for riding in the Fens, beating Oxf*rd and being considerable choppers on our bikes.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s dinner, where we’ll hopefully have even more Alumni along. It’ll be held at a similar time of year (likely to be the last weekend of January – to be confirmed shortly) but we’ll head to a different venue.
In keeping with the serious tone of the evening…
