Oxford to Cambridge bike ride 2010

[mike-L]

Yes, it rained on and off throughout the ride, yes there was a pig of a sidewind in Cambridgeshire, and yes, the Oxfordshire bits are flatter than the Cambs bits! Despite all that it was pretty enjoyable. Raised 70 quids for the BHF too. Win win.

Knowing it was going to be piddling I picked up a crud roadracer on Saturday - unfortunately few others did, but that just made me want to overtake them... However, fitting the 'blade I did something to my back brake and it would not stop rubbing agianst the wheel. So HUGE thanks to Andy the expert mechanic from Warlands who had told me he'd be there in the morning when I bought the 'blade. He stuck the bike on his stand and fixed the brake in 5 mins, literally saving my day.

About half way through I realised I was feeling good enough to continue so essentially did it in one go, only stopping to refill my main bottle and re-fix my number. I had GPS running but my Blackberry has a habit of switching itself off when it feels like it, so although I've put the track on Everytrail, its only3/4 of the ride - the rest is created from memory. Linky.

Set off and just after 8 and got in at 1.30.

Bike computer says:

• Dist: 90
• Time 5:21:22
• Ave: 16.8

...which I am pretty proud of, given the weather and training (lack of). No one was counting but I think a was around 20th back, surrounded by grizzled old (and I'm 44!) veterans already munching chips and burgers. Lots of fancy bikes too, so I was quite proud of my 15 year old steely self-build.

Miserable weather in Cambridge turned to sun a couple of hours later cheering everyone up. Nice bunch of people on the coach back to Oxford, but boy that was a drawn out boring coach trip of 2.5 hours! Maybe I should have cycled it?

So, anyone else on here do it? How did you get on?

Mike

 

[mapleflot101]

Sounds good mike-L.
Living in Oxford I have wanted to do the Cambridge ride for a couple years now, but have been put off by the fact that I don't have anyone `at hand' to get me+bike back from Cambridge and given the usual weather its a bit late in the year to comfortably try a return trip even if I could realistically train up for that sort of distance. So what's the quality of the bike transport re: complementing the provided bus service. Do they just throw the bikes in a lorry and rattle them back?

 

[mike-L]

They provided bubblewrap and pipe cladding so not too bad. Must have been about 50 bikes on the truck - enough to stop them rattling around too much. I was first on so last off but no damage at all. 25quid was darn expensive though - cheaper to get the X5 I think so long as they'd have room for the bike.

I fared a lot better than I thought I would - I could have stayed overnight and cycled back at a more leisurely pace on Monday given that good weather - but wasn't to know of course. Spent most of Monday cleaning the bike up!

So do it next year! The weather can't be worse...

Sounds good mike-L.
Living in Oxford I have wanted to do the Cambridge ride for a couple years now, but have been put off by the fact that I don't have anyone `at hand' to get me+bike back from Cambridge and given the usual weather its a bit late in the year to comfortably try a return trip even if I could realistically train up for that sort of distance. So what's the quality of the bike transport re: complementing the provided bus service. Do they just throw the bikes in a lorry and rattle them back?

 

[mike-L]

Found this on Monday morning though...



Darn close to a blowout. Never had a puncture on that tyre, but prehaps it was getting a little long in the tooth. Nice 'modern' folder on now.

 

[Camgreen]

Found this on Monday morning though...

[attachment=1012:wh_n.jpg]

Darn close to a blowout. Never had a puncture on that tyre, but prehaps it was getting a little long in the tooth. Nice 'modern' folder on now.

[attachment=1013:_n.jpg]

TNT were the carrier when I did it last year. Pretty efficient loading and unloading, not aware of any complaints re scratching etc, though if you bubble wrap it does help. Have to say they did lag a little behind the coaches though, which meant hanging around until they arrived before we could get started; quite a logistical achievement all told though.

 

[mapleflot101]

Thanks for the info guys.
I'll have to put it on my `to do' list for sure now.

 

[tokwitney]

I wanted to do this one this year as my first charity ride,but daughters b'day party put a stop to that...Will definitely try & do it next year though..

 

[uphillstruggler]

Sounds good mike-L.
Living in Oxford I have wanted to do the Cambridge ride for a couple years now, but have been put off by the fact that I don't have anyone `at hand' to get me+bike back from Cambridge and given the usual weather its a bit late in the year to comfortably try a return trip even if I could realistically train up for that sort of distance. So what's the quality of the bike transport re: complementing the provided bus service. Do they just throw the bikes in a lorry and rattle them back?

 

[uphillstruggler]

I too took part in the ox to cam, it's a really friendly ride with well thought out stops etc. It's the second time my mate and I have done it, and will definately take part again next year. I can see how the logistics would be a pain though. A big shout goes out to the lady who completed the ride on a single geared bike as there are a couple of reasonably steep hills to deal with at about 45 miles in windy and rainy conditions.

If you are from anywhere near the start or finish it's well worth taking part

 

[mike-L]

This year they had the Brompton World Championships, Blenheim Sportive and Ox. to Camb. all on the same day.
Real shame as I would like to do all three (I commie on my Brommie) . Next year its the BWC for me, as I can do the sportive route anytime its so near - and possibly quite soon before its too cold and wet.
If anyone's up for the 100mile version and going for a 16-17mph average - get in touch.

 

[Rayman]

I'm around Oxford! I've signed up for the Ox. to Camb. cycle towards the end of July and been recently training up for it and doing various cycles around Oxfordshire. Is the cycle to Camb. difficult and are there a lot of climbs etc? I'm really looking forward to it but been trying to get my fitness back up so a bit anxious if I'm honest.

 

[srw]

I'm around Oxford! I've signed up for the Ox. to Camb. cycle towards the end of July and been recently training up for it and doing various cycles around Oxfordshire. Is the cycle to Camb. difficult and are there a lot of climbs etc? I'm really looking forward to it but been trying to get my fitness back up so a bit anxious if I'm honest.

It's long, but basically flat. There's a bit of a climb out of Oxford onto Otmoor, another bit of a one as you cross the Grand Union Canal, and a final one out of Sandy. Nothing really to get worked up about, and the last half or so is downhill on average and feels like it. We did it two or three years ago (in late September), starting out crossing Otmoor in the mist; the sun came out around the Claydons and we had a fantastic second half weather-wise.

 

[Tynan]

Found this on Monday morning though...

[attachment=1012:wh_n.jpg]

Darn close to a blowout. Never had a puncture on that tyre, but prehaps it was getting a little long in the tooth. Nice 'modern' folder on now.

[attachment=1013:_n.jpg]

what the hell are we looking at in pic one? is that some sort of odd tyre? what's the green bit on the sides?

good ride fella, nice average speeds with hills and wind

 

[philk56]

Have done it two or three times (lost count!). It is a nice ride although I find the last few miles a bit of a slog to get to Cambridge. Nice scenery through Woburn park, with a little lump in the middle. Might be doing it again this year if we are not away elsewhere that weekend.

 

[Camgreen]

Me and the better half are giving it another go this year. X5 bus from Cambridge, overnight stay at Magdalen College, cycle the O to C and then tootle home. All in all that should clock up about 107 miles, and our first century ride.

The only tricky hills we found the last time we rode it were around Brickhill (can't recall whether it was the Great or the Little variety

); not horrendously steep, but two climbs in quick succession. The hill through Woburn looks a little challenging, but is more of an optical illusion I found.

Strange that the last bit riding into Cambridge was thought to be tough in some quarters; that was where we found renewed energy

and managed to put on a bit of a spurt (if that were possible)

Enjoyable event and this year with the event being held at the end of July, there's scope for a relaxing end to the evening in the beer garden of our local as just reward for our efforts

permitting of course.