All the details for the 2023 Reach Ride and Reach Fair on Bank Holiday Monday

Reach Fair is back on Bank Holiday Monday – and the annual Reach Ride is again taking place for cyclists who wish to enjoy a leisurely cycle through beautiful countryside to get there.

The ride is free and open to all, participants can either cycle with Camcycle or with Ely Cycling Campaign.

Both rides meet from 9am to depart at 10am and aim to arrive in time for the traditional opening of the fair at noon by the mayor of Cambridge.

Camcycle’s executive director, Roxanne De Beaux, said: “It’s a great celebration of our region’s cycling culture and we always enjoy seeing the wide range of riders and cycles taking part.”

For the Cambridge ride, participants should meet outside Great St Mary’s Church on King’s Parade. There are additional meeting points on the Stourbridge Common side of the Green Dragon bridge (departing around 10.15am) and at the Marleigh Community Centre in Jubilee Square, departing at around 10.30am. Participants for the Ely ride should meet outside Ely station and come prepared for a mainly off-road and unpaved route. For a shorter route, cyclists can join and leave either ride at any point.

Visit camcycle.org.uk/events/rides.

The fair dates back to 1201, when King John granted a charter for the holding of a fair in Reach. It has taken place ever since.

Originally held on Rogation Monday, it now takes place on the early May Bank Holiday.

According to original custom, the mayor of Cambridge opens it, accompanied by the aldermen in full regalia and penny coins will be thrown to visitors in the crowd.