Varsity Mtb Race Report – Double Victory for Cambridge

Posted on 27th February 201827th February 2018

An incredibly strong Cambridge team headed to Hadleigh Park on the 25th of February 2018 for the annual Varsity Mtb contest. The race was held as part of the Mud, Sweat and Gears XC series and resulted in a dominating victory for Cambridge in both the women’s and men’s races. We’ll hand over to our roving reporter (and Varsity competitor) Tom Wade for a full breakdown of the race (with thanks to Robbie Blythe’s dad for photographs):

“Despite the freezing temperature and strong, blustery winds, the Cambridge Mountain Bike Varsity team arrived in good spirits at the ex-Olympic venue of Hadleigh Park in Essex. These spirits were no doubt aided by the news that Oxford had a very depleted team. There would be twenty-one Light Blue jerseys tackling the track, but Oxford could only muster five entries, making a Light Blue victory a likely prospect.

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Ely Hardriders Race Report

Posted on 13th February 201815th February 2018

Fifteen CUCC riders signed up to ride 2018’s Ely Hardriders event despite its reputation for foul, cold weather. Perhaps the draw of the cakes was too much to resist? The weather on Sunday morning was clear without a frost, but unfortunately very breezy with gusts exceeding 30 mph. Disastrously CUCC’s resident megawatts machine, Ali Golby, choppered himself on the ride out to the course when some road detritus jammed in his front wheel. Jali Packer and Rob Walker were there to pick up the pieces and even a trip to A+E could only keep Ali from intervals on Bottisham for a matter of hours.

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Michaelmas Retrospective – CUCC Hill Climb

Posted on 4th December 201715th February 2018

04.11.17

The first CUCC Hill Climb in club memory was held on a wet day in early November, but the damp weather didn’t stop 34 entrants lining up to take on the mighty Gog Magog. A strenuous 900m at 4.2% reaching the heady heights of 67m, it’s about the best Cambridge has to offer. Of course, that was no reason to take it easy! However, the committee were disappointed by the lack of vomiting at the top – clearly the racers weren’t trying quite hard enough. Ffion James took the win (and the QOM! (from Laura Massey!)) for the women in 1:53.1 with President Jess close behind in 1:53.8. Alice Bittleston completed the women’s podium. John Hale stormed the win in the men’s competition in 1:32.6, with Espresso Library’s John William Gull 3 seconds down at 1:35.4 – was he weighed down by the Zipp disc? We will never know. Tom Simpson was first club member in 1:37.6.

Honourable mentions go to Felix Barker (6th) and Luke Fisher (18th) for riding fixed, Felix on his pursuit setup for BUCS track and Luke on his Simpson-built machine (shameless plug), and to Tom Wade for riding town-bike.

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BUCS Hill Climb Results, Report and Photos

Posted on 30th October 201730th October 2017

After missing last year’s event in Stirling (lovely spot, a very long way from Cambridge), CUCC were back with a strong presence in 2017. The race was held on October 28th on Pea Royd Lane in Stocksbridge near Sheffield, a steep sub-3 minute climb that was used (in a 400m longer format) for the 2014 Nationals. The women were first up, with President Jess Atkinson coming in 14th and Carrie Bedingfield following in 17th in a competitive field. Felix Barker (8th), Seb Dickson (13th) and Rob Walker (17th) made up the Cambridge men’s team who placed second on the day, while Tom Simpson had their backs in 18th. Toby Cowell was 36th, Luke Fisher 59th, fresher Jack Brown managed 70th despite having his start botched and Seán Irving was 83rd. Full results can be found below.

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BUCS Road Race Results

Posted on 21st May 201715th February 2018

The Women’s Race

The women’s race started at 10am, so Jess and Lottie chose to drive up to York on the Friday night rather than have a 5am start and 3 hour drive pre-race on the Saturday. A course recce on the Saturday morning was rather eye-opening as it had a series of short, steep climbs ramping up to 18% at points. This was to be Lottie’s second ever road race (the first being BUCS RR in 2015), but Jess has a lot of road race experience spanning seven years and this was one of the hardest courses she’d seen. The plan was to stick in the bunch as long as possible and make a call at the end if they were still at the head of the race.

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BUCS TTT Results

Posted on 21st May 201715th February 2018

The Men’s Race
First up on the day were the Men’s B team, hot off the disappointment of BUCS ruling them ineligible to receive a (silver) medal at either the BUCS 10 or BUCS 25. Team time trialling is a difficult discipline at the best of times, but the lumpy course near bath provides a few extra challenges with some tight corners and puncture-inducing potholes thrown in for good measure. Riders Ali Golby, Oli Mytton and Rob Walker had got in a small amount of practice together beforehand, which paid off with a level headed and well controlled ride.

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BUCS 25 and Varsity Results!

Posted on 1st May 20174th May 2017

Cambridge men top the Podium, Men’s Teams 1st, 2nd and 4th overall, smash Varsity. Women’s Team 5th, Narrowly lose Varsity.

Saturday marked the 2nd of the BUCS Cycling Championships, this one over a much longer distance of

Luke Fisher – 12th

25 miles. Although a similar style of event, 25 miles is a markedly different distance to race over than 10, requiring a much greater degree of self control and pacing, and having much more chance of things going wrong. It also incorporated the 70th edition of the Varsity match with Oxford.

Up for the honours were 12 men- 5 were returning from last year (Including all 3 of the Half Blues), and of the 7 new riders, 5 were freshers. With the fastest three from Cambridge earning Half Blues (and the opportunity to try for the discretionary Full at the National Championships later in the year), competition was almost more fierce between the Cambridge riders than with the other Universities! Although we were feeling pretty strong and were definitely the favourites after a dominant performance in the shorter 10 Mile Championships, a lot can go wrong in 25 miles.

Fresher Luke Fisher (Tit Hall) was the first to start in the whole competition- a somewhat unknown quantity having been absent from Cuppers, but he came through to take nearly 10 minutes off his PB, a very impressive feat. This laid down a good marker, so much so that it ended up being good enough for 12th, just 14 seconds outside of the top 10. Whilst Luke was riding, former CUCC President and BUCS Champion Ed Bradbury dropped by to support his brother, and later on the old Senior Treasurer of the club came along too to cheer us on!
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CUCC Touring to The Boat Race!

Posted on 20th April 201720th April 2017

Early on the 2^nd April, 11 intrepid cyclists gathered as CUCC teamed up with Cambridge University Triathlon Club on a voyage to the boat races. Proceedings kicked off with a classic jaunt up chapel hill, perfect to wake us up on our way out of Cambridge. After a mere few miles, most of us realised it was considerably sunnier than we had expected… cue a major kit change for most! Off with the jackets and base layers, on with the sunglasses!

Shades, Cycling Cap, and a Pint

The sun stayed with us as we made our way South, covering the slightly more undulating terrain of Hertfordshire. Having covered roughly two thirds of our distance, we reached St Albans. We found ‘The Mermaid’, where half the group settled down for a pub lunch, pints and all, whilst a second group sought out the more traditional cycling staple: coffee and cake!

Relaxing in the sun at The Mermaid

Having refuelled and regrouped, we jumped back on the bikes with London firmly in our sights. Before long, we passed the M25 and our ride began to change. Narrow winding roads became a single straight busy road which would take us directly into the centre of London. Progress was marred by traffic light after traffic light. Despite attempting to stick together, Matt and Harshal were lost to what we would later find out was a double puncture.

Finally coming to the end of this seemingly endless road, the Marble Arch appeared before us. A combination of confusing Garmin directions and lack of London knowledge led to much guesswork through the capital, but the views were not compromised. Thinking we were on the mall, some of us initiated a sprint, reminiscent of the final stages of the London 2012 Olympic road race, only to realise this was not in fact the mall, but an adjacent road. Despite this, we soon found our way to Buckingham Palace where we joined the many tourists, taking some all-important ride photos!

Striking a pose in London

17976419_10208714746215693_1900361147_o After a quick stop at the palace, the ride continued over Westminster bridge before we split off to find various friends at the Putney and Hammersmith bridges. We were greeted by an awesome atmosphere on a beautiful day for the boat races! Huge respect goes to all who competed in the races with particular congratulations in order for both Cambridge women’s boats!

Although I can’t speak for the rest of the group, the journey home came with its own issues, attempting to carry a road bike on the underground whilst others confused my Cambridge cycling shorts for a rowing overall, thinking I had just come from the river.

In all, a great day’s cycling covering 70miles on what couldn’t have been a nicer day. Thanks to all who came, we look forward to cycling with you on touring rides in the future!

BUCS 25 and Varsity 2017 Riders!

Posted on 20th April 201720th April 2017

With only days to go until Cambridge hosts the BUCS 25 mile time trial, and within it the Varsity race against Oxford, it’s time to announce who will be donning the light blue.
The time trial will take place over two laps of a 12.5 mile local circuit near Bottisham. 47 female and 113 male students from all over the country are entered to race, including a huge five women and twelve men from Cambridge, which shows just how strong the club is this year! In no particular order, our riders are:

The Women

Name: Lottie Mallin Martin
College: Clare
Year: 3rd
Subject: Law
Some last words for Oxford: ‘GDBO!’

Name: Hannah Evans
College: Selwyn
Year: PhD 4th year
Subject: Physics
Pre race ritual: ‘Having a nap.’

Name: Holly Knox
College: Newnham
Year: 2nd
Subject: English
What you will be thinking during the last 10 minute of the time trial on Saturday: ‘Maybe there’s another sport I can try.’

Women’s Captain

Name: Jess Atkinson
College: Churchill
Year: 3rd
Subject: NatSci
Favourite training snack: ‘Nutella single serving sachets.’

Touring Secretar

Name: Emilie Lostis
College: Hughes Hall
Year:
Subject: Graduate Medicine
Favourite training snack: ‘Dates stuffed with peanut butter.’

The Men

Name: John Grenfell-Shaw
College: Trinity
Year: PhD 2nd year
Subject: Maths
Some last words for Oxford: ‘Good luck beating our 3rd team.’

18009801_1678984908796250_2097412269_n Name: Ali Golby
College: Jesus
Year: 1st
Subject: MML
Favourite Event/Discipline: ‘Cafe stops.’

El Presidente

Name: Seb Dickson
College: Corpus Christi
Year: 3nd
Subject: Engineering
Pre-race ritual: ‘Getting various tools jammed in the bike and having to hammer them out in a panic.’ [He still won BUCS 10 after this]

Events Secretary

Name: Oli Mytton
College: Wolfson
Year: PhD 4th year
Subject: Public Health
Favourite gel flavour: ‘I am yet to find one after 37 years of trying.’

Name: Sean Irving
College: Homerton
Year: 1st
Subject: Bio NatSci
Favourite gel flavour: ‘The one in my pocket.’

Name: Jali Packer
College: Kings
Year: 1st
Subject: PBS
Pre race-ritual: ‘Trying not to be hungover.’

Name: Nick Grogan
College: Trinity
Year: 1st
Subject: Maths
What you will be thinking during the last 10 minute of the time trial on Saturday: ‘Why did I do this to myself?’

Name: Rob Walker
College: Pembroke
Year: 1st
Subject: NatSci
What you will be thinking during the last 10 minute of the time trial on Saturday: ‘Pain is temporary, victory lasts forever.’

Name: Luke Fisher
College: Trinity Hall
Year: 1st
Subject: Engineering
What you will be thinking during the last 10 minute of the time trial on Saturday: ‘Anything but how much the last 10 minutes of a 25 hurt!’

Name: Hal Bradbury
College: Jesus
Year: PhD
Subject: Earth Sciences
Favourite thing about TTs: Being recognised as Ed’s brother on the start line.

Name: Chris Revell
Year: PhD

Men’s Captain, The Mulvinator

Name: John Mulvey

College: St Edmund’s
Year: PhD
Subject: Medicine
Favourite thing about TTs: ‘When they are over.’

CUCC Touring – CUCC takes Oxford!

Posted on 17th April 201718th April 2017

Back in February six cyclists met at Brookside on a Saturday, at the normal time. This could have been mistaken for any regular old ride, but no. Not that day. That was the start of the much anticipated CUCC Touring ride to Oxford!

We set off a shade after 9:30, and it was clear from the start that there was going to be a slight headwind all day, as if cycling the 130km on its own wasn’t enough… but we pushed through, setting a decent pace, and the first 30 miles flew by. Rob got a puncture soon after, and whilst this was being fixed, Emilie took out some peanut butter filled dates and offered them around, which means it’s time for the return of my food blogging; so strap in boys & girls because here it comes:
With the appearance of, well, dates with peanut butter smushed in, I was not convinced at first. But I was wrong. Who knew such a simple combination could be so good?! Would recommend, even just for the insane amount of calories in them: 10/10. Food blogging over.
Anyway, we were back and away in no time.

Shortly after, we stopped in Woburn and settled in to a nice café for some lunch. After figuring out there was a button on the table to call over the waiter (wtf), we eventually got served. Back out on the road again, we now had less than half the distance left, with the sun shining nicely over head, we were well on our way to the Other Place.Continue reading→