The Varsity Ride 9th May - Advance Notice

Last Summer, Simon led us on a very enjoyable ride to Oxford.  This year, as is fitting, we'll visit the other Blue.  The format is the same; ride out and train back, or stay over and ride back, as you choose.

Here's the route - some London streets, some riverside path and some quiet roads.  Elevenses will be at the Island Cafe, Flat Iron Square SE1 0AB in Southwark.  This is close to Waterloo and London Bridge stations, for those that wish to take a train to the start.  The Island Cafe is on CS7, and there will be a led ride up the Cycle Superhighway from North Cheam, for those that wish to ride all the way.  0900 at North Cheam.

The terrain is pretty straightforward, so we should be there between five and six.  Trains back are fairly frequent, but ticket prices vary greatly, so it's worth checking.  Here are some examples:

Further details will be published a few days before the start, or have a word, if you've got any questions.

Mark

Author: Mark G

5 Comments:

Simon L 14 April 2018 at 23:38 BST

For next year's Varsity ride, perhaps we could go to Durham ...?

Simon L 14 April 2018 at 23:51 BST

It seems the cheap tickets back (£7) are on the route from Cambridge to Liverpool Street.
It takes about an hour, and the train I looked at stops at Tottenham Hale, which is about 1/2 mile away from Blackhorse Road, on the London Overground - which may help some people get home by train.

Mark G 15 April 2018 at 09:45 BST

Yes indeed. Durham is nice, one of my sons was there. And my daughter in law was at St Andrews ...

Steph 17 April 2018 at 19:59 BST

Aberystwyth has bracing sea views.

Simon L 26 April 2018 at 11:52 BST

Advance single from Cambridge to Tottenham Hale (near the London Overground and in Zone 6) was £3.95 with a senior railcard. Good value or what?

The cycle policy is unclear on the website: after phoning I am still uncertain, but it seems you don't need a reservation on trains from Cambridge to Liverpool Street (and probably not to King's Cross either). It's first come first served on the trains: if there's no room then your advance ticket can be endorsed by train or platform staff to allow you to travel on a later train.