All the details for the 2024 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 cycle there.

The ride is free and open to all ages and abilities as it takes a route using mostly quiet roads and off-road paths.

Participants can either cycle with Camcycle or with Ely Cycling Campaign, with the routes around 15 miles each way and 13 miles each way respectively.

Camcycle’s CEO, Roxanne De Beaux, said: “The Reach Ride is one of the highlights of Camcycle’s year. We love to welcome back familiar faces and to see new people discovering the delights of this special ride.

“We’re always excited to see a growing range of cycles on the ride and we hope this kicks off a happy summer of cycling for all those who take part. Thanks to Cambridge City Council for their support of this event and to all the brilliant Camcycle and Ely Cycling Campaign volunteers who make it possible.”

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.

For the Cambridge ride, participants should meet outside Great St Mary’s Church on King’s Parade. There are additional meeting points by the Green Dragon bridge (departing around 10.15am) and at Marleigh’s Jubilee Square, departing at around 10.30am. Participants for the Ely ride should meet outside Ely railway station.

For a shorter route, cyclists can join and leave either ride at any point.

Return rides depart from the Reach cycle park to Ely at 2pm and to Cambridge at 2.30pm.

Camcycle recommends that participants bring weather-appropriate clothing, water and snacks to ensure they are comfortable on the ride, plus a bike lock and some cash for the fair.

Thanks to support from Cambridge City Council, a team of mobile mechanics from Outspoken Cycles will be available to help out with minor bike fixes between Cambridge and Reach.

The fair dates back to 1201, when King John granted a charter for the holding of a fair in Reach.

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

The fair will be opened by the mayor of Cambridge at noon.

Visit camcycle.org.uk for more information about the ride and reachfair.org.uk for the fair.