CTC Cambridge

Tuesday 31 October 2023 

CTC Cambridge runs a range of rides every week throughout the year to suit different abilities and schedules. Our rides list indicates the type of ride and shows a grade, average speed and expected distance. The different grades are explained in ride grading. In some cases, the ride details will also show the planned route.

Rides in the summer are generally longer than those in the winter. Please bring lights on the longer rides, on afternoon rides in winter and on the Wednesday evening rides in summer.

On our two-stop rides, some riders choose to leave the ride early and return after the first cafe stop so that they arrive home earlier in the afternoon. You can take this option if you are confident that you can find your own way back home. There isn't usually an official leader for this part of the ride, but there may be other riders doing the same thing who can keep you company for some of the way. Please make sure that the leader is aware if you choose to leave the group early.

For general information about our rides (such as what to wear and what to bring) see Come and ride with us!.

The descriptions below cover most of our regular rides, but we sometimes offer other different rides. We describe a typical ride, but be aware that the start point, the start time and the distance may vary, so always check the rides list to confirm the details of the ride you plan to join.

We have a range of regular rides on several different weekdays as follows:

Saturday rides
Sunday rides
Tuesday rides
Wednesday evening rides
Thursday rides

Saturday rides

We run easy-going rides on Saturday mornings throughout the year. These are our shortest and easiest rides and are intended to be suitable for everyone. They start at 10am at Brookside and cover about 30-55 km 20-35 miles with one stop at a cafe along the way. The rides usually take 3-4 hours, including the stop for refreshments. These rides are graded as leisurelyLeisurely rides are suitable for anyone who can ride a bike and enjoys fairly gentle exercise. The pace usually averages 16-18 kph.10-11 mph. More and they are suitable for anyone who rides a bike regularly and enjoys gentle exercise. The pace usually averages 16-18 kph10-11 mph, but is adjusted to suit the slowest riders.

See our guidelines for riders under the age of 18.

Sunday rides

We have different types of rides on Sundays with one or two cafe stops. We have either a morning ride or an all-day ride most Sundays, plus a separate afternoon ride on some weekends. Start places and start times can vary, so check the rides list to confirm the starting place and time for a particular ride.

Our morning rides usually start at 9am or 9.30am at Brookside, but the starting place and time can vary. These rides are usually around 70-90 km 45-55 miles with one stop at a cafe before heading back to Cambridge returning after a total of 4.5 to 5 hours. These rides are graded as moderateOur "moderate" rides go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph. More and go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph.

Over the summer months we offer some longer all day rides on Sundays. These are usually two-stop rides that cover 100-115 km, 60-70 miles, stopping for morning coffee and again for lunch, and returning to Cambridge by about 4pm. These rides are graded as moderateOur "moderate" rides go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph. More and go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph.

Our afternoon rides take place once or twice a month and include one stop for tea. They usually start at Brookside at 12pm but the start time can vary so check the website for each ride. The rides usually cover 50-80 km 30-50 miles, depending on the time of year, and get back to Cambridge after about 3.5 to 5 hours. These rides are graded as leisurely plusThese rides go at a slightly faster pace (averaging 18-19 kph)11-12 mph., with up to two hours of riding between stops. More, averaging 18-19 kph.11-12 mph.

Tuesday rides

These rides take place on the second Tuesday of the month to coincide with the monthly cafe meeting. This is usually an easy-going led ride, similar in distance and pace to the Saturday rides (see above). Riders are also encouraged to make their own way to the published coffee stop, where they can meet those on the led ride, and there is usually the option to form an ad-hoc group for the ride home.

Wednesday evening rides

During the summer months we occasionally run rides on Wednesday evenings. The start times and start place can both vary, so check the rides list for details. The rides typically involve about two hours of riding at a slightly faster moderate plusOur "moderate plus" rides go at a slightly faster touring pace, averaging 21-24 kph. 13-15 mph. More pace averaging 21-24 kph 13-15 mph and covering 50-65 km. 30-40 miles. These rides usually include a brief stop at a pub for a drink.

Thursday rides – two start options

Our Thursday rides take place every week throughout the year. There are usually two separate rides with different start points, different start times and following different routes.

The "Village start" ride departs at 9.30am from either Great Shelford or Haslingfield (both a few km miles south of Cambridge).

The "City start" ride departs at 9.15am from Brookside.

Check the rides list to confirm the start point and start time for a particular ride.

These rides are typically one-stop rides in winter, changing to longer two-stop rides in summer.

The one-stop rides are 64-80 km 40-50 miles, with one stop for coffee/brunch and getting back to the start by early afternoon.

The two-stop rides stop twice for coffee and lunch, and typically cover 90-105 km 55-65 miles, getting back later in the afternoon. Both of these rides are graded as moderateOur "moderate" rides go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph. More and go at a steady touring pace, averaging 19-22 kph. 12-14 mph.