Why it’s farewell to Reach Ride, as Camcycle confirms it won’t take place in 2025
The popular Reach Ride will not take place this year, Camcycle has confirmed.
Instead, the cycling charity has encouraged people to ride independently to Reach Fair on Monday, 5 May.
Camcycle has hosted the Reach Ride 16 times since 2007, helping guide the way for more than 9.300 riders from Cambridge through the countryside to the historic fair, and providing mechanical support.
But it has decided not to host the ride this year as it develops a new strategy, with events focused on activities that support its campaigning objectives.
The charity, which has 1,700 members, is hoping many people will support friends and family to complete the ride together and is providing route information and tips on its website.
The main route from Cambridge to Reach follows National Cycle Network routes NCN 51 to Bottisham then NCN 11 via Lode, and is around 15 miles each way.
A route from Ely follows National Cycle Network route 11 via Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve and is around 13 miles each way.
Camcycle’s CEO, Roxanne De Beaux, said: “The Reach Ride has become such an important event in the cycling calendar and we are immensely grateful to all those who have nurtured and supported it over the years, including founder Simon Nuttall, the extensive team of Camcycle volunteers and our colleagues at Ely Cycling Campaign and Outspoken Cycles.
“Over a decade of support from Cambridge City Council, plus three years of sponsorship from Continental Tyres, enabled us to develop the ride into its much-loved format. However, as event organisation gets more complex and the risks from unmaintained paths and roads increases, it is not currently sustainable for us to continue to host the event without significantly increased financial support.
“While we switch to the ‘Reach Ride: freewheel’ option for now, we hope that the community will continue to build on the ride’s long tradition, supporting each other to visit the fair and explore Cambridgeshire’s rural routes.
“This decision has also been influenced by the development of our Camcycle’s new strategy, in which we have had to make some difficult decisions on how to best meet our charitable objectives. For now, we intend to build our events calendar around the activities which best support our work campaigning for more cycling for a better future for everyone.
“We hope that our renewed emphasis on growing and improving Cambridgeshire’s cycling network will allow people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to choose to cycle for leisure and travel at all times of year in both urban and rural areas of our region.”
Reach Ride has helped riders of all ages to tackle routes and distances that were completely new to them and broadened the audience for Reach Fair, which dates back to 1201.
Reach Fair committee member Claire Halpin-McDonald said: “We’d like to thank Camcycle for their support of Reach Fair over so many years and wish them all the best with their future endeavours.
“Their many hours of hard work have generated countless fun and happy memories, and helped local people explore the beauty and history of the Cambridgeshire countryside. We look forward to welcoming many more cyclists to the Reach in 2025: come and take part in an 824-year old tradition and enjoy all the fun of the Fair!”
Visit camcycle.org.uk/reachride for details on how to cycle to Reach Fair and see its social media channels for promotional materials encouraging people to cycle to the fair.
