Nine CUCC riders braved the cold, wet and even slightly snowy conditions to compete in the traditional, season opening Ely Hardriders Time Trial.
The cold weather, strong breeze and wet conditions meant that no super quick times would be posted, and many decided that the aero gains of a skinsuit and carbon wheels would be better traded for some warmer clothes and effective braking! Continue reading
For the last two weekends running Toby and I have been heading down to Hog Hill to work on our crit racing skillz in the Cat 4 only Saturday race series. The ‘chopperfest’ description is unwarranted, although both our crashes at training camp have landed us firmly in the chopper camp (I’m speaking on your behalf here, Toby). Anyway, to simplify our report we decided to split it into a nice and simple ‘what went well’ and ‘what we can do better’. So here goes: Continue reading
The day began with the sun still tucked up in bed, a fact which would make the cycle through London just that little bit more interesting. We boarded the 6:15 train to Kings Cross still half asleep, but excited about the day ahead none the less, wondering how many people would turn up for the ride, who on Earth RLR were, and most importantly, how many free Tribe bars we would get! On the train journey Kaitlynn swapped out the stock saddle on her bike for a better one, which she would then carry all the way back to Cambridge!
On the weekend of 19th/20th November a small group of us took the excuse of BUCS track Championships to take a trip to the mecca of british cycling that is National Cycling Centre. Home of British Cycling and Team Sky, the current generation of world beating British cyclists were formed and molded here, in the hard kilometres of training and countless hours spent on the boards lapping the track. The astute amongst you might be aware that the current generation of CUCC cyclists were not formed and molded on the boards, due to what I can only assume is an oversight by leadership of British Cycling to have not yet built a velodrome in or around Cambridge. Wholly inadequate as it was, 2 hours of track time at Derby would have to do.Continue reading
It’s been an incredibly successful start to the year for social cycling with CUCC. A few rides have been reported already – to Ely, and to cafes in Saffron Walden and Linton – but a highlight of the term has to be the trip to the Hotel Chocolat factory in Huntingdon.
On Saturday 19th November, a cold but crisp winter’s day, a whopping 17 cyclists showed up to Brookside at 9.30am, keen to stock up on chocolatey stocking fillers in time for Christmas.
Braving the frost up the guided busway to St Ives, we then split into two more manageable groups, with Natasha and Emilie leading both halves to Huntingdon. Although there was a bit of confusion and one half went clockwise, with the other anti-clockwise, we all happily met up at the chocolate factory and were rewarded with a few tasters.Continue reading
For the past two years, I was aware of (at most) five other women that cycled in Cambridge. Coming into my third year, I reluctantly agreed to take on the role of women’s captain for fear of the role becoming redundant otherwise. Now, after eight weeks of term, I am extremely pleased to say that our women’s mailing list is 54 strong (and still growing), and I have led weekly rides of up to 14 women (yes, we beat the men). So, here’s how it all happened in under 8 weeks…Continue reading
With Cambridge firmly in the grip of winter the turnout for this weeks ride wasn’t as high as previous rides this term, none the less 5 of us set off South in high spirits. The route took us over some of the ‘big’ hills that Cambridgeshire has to offer, which everyone dealt with easily. Toughness points for the guy tackling them on his single speed! Shortly after going through Great Chishill we spotted a Red Kite, a rare sight this far from The Chilterns where they’re being reintroduced! One of our group pealed off after Littlebury Green to catch the train back to Cambridge where he had left his friends who were visiting for the weekend, I hope they understood the importance of riding. Onwards now as a quartet we passed the beautiful Audley End House & Gardens, where I snapped the picture below, mis-timed and not quite getting the house but still capturing a happy cyclist at least!
Next we went through Saffron Walden past Bicicletta, beloved by cyclists and café enthusiasts alike, however that was not our stop for today so we waved as we rolled past with Linton in our minds.
Cambridge University Cycling Club are very happy to announce we will be hosting a Q&A session with Britain’s joint most successful Olympian, Jason Kenny OBE, in conjunction with Prof Tony Purnell and Trinity Hall.
Jason kenny
Everyone is more than welcome to attend, cyclist or not, but space in the hall is limited!
A bit of background (for those who need it!), Kenny is the current joint most successful British Olympian with 6 Gold medals and one silver.Continue reading
CUCC MTB Captain, Tom Simpson reports:
The last Sunday of October was the date of the first round of the KLMTB Revel Outdoors Winter XC Series, and we had a strong CUCC contingent of five riders head over to Thetford forest to race. The changing clocks (we eventually worked out) would allow us an extra hour in bed, which was a relief as we had been busy trying to obtain a bike for Arnav to race on well into the evening. Myself, Arnav Kapur, Sam Haigh and Toby Cowell rode the 1.5hr course format – Toby in the junior category – while Andy Zhao chose the slightly shorter 1hr race.Continue reading
Emilie Lostis writes:
Yesterday saw CUCC’s first touring ride of the year. It was a short social trip to Ely, with impressive attendance by 11 keen cyclists. We set of at 9.30am, and as the group was particularly fast, we reached Ely before 11am. We had a look around town, and were approached by an elderly gentleman near the Cathedral who was very happy to see us there as he’d been somehow involved with the club back in the days!
The Tourists at Ely Cathedral
He was only too happy to take a few pictures of us, after which we explored the vegan market that was on in the city centre. Everyone experimented with animal-free nibbles with more or less satisfaction (the Wandering Yak van got our seal of approval, but the rice milk in the coffees less so…), and with a full belly we got back on the road.
The Vegan Market
All but 2 decided to join the ride home – slightly longer and faster through the Fens – despite the easy option of a train back offered, and everyone made it home safely by 2pm.
It was great to see so many enthusiastic students on the road, and we’ll be planning many more themed rides throughout the year!Continue reading