18 University staff based at The Old Schools took part in the Oxford to Cambridge charity bike ride last weekend in aid of The British Heart Foundation, Talk to Stars and Camfed, the University’s 800th Anniversary adopted charity.

The 90-mile long route was divided into six legs with three members of staff cycling each leg on the University Messenger Service 800th Anniversary-branded bicycles, attracting a great deal of attention and good natured banter along the way.

Each member of staff had raised sponsorship for the event, with the added twist that all sponsors had the chance to win a 45 minute flying lesson kindly donated by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, for guessing how long in total it would take all of the teams take to complete the full 90 mile course.

Here's what some those who took part had to say about the day:
"It was a great day, with an early start on the first leg from Oxford, with Alan Baldock and Adam Gardner, plus the extra five miles we cycled from the Park and Ride! It was very enjoyable, everybody on route taking time to talk to us, and look on in amazement as we cycled along on the heavy UMS bikes, with our flags waving, and overtaken by people on roller blades at one point! All very well organised by Alan, who kept everybody's spirits up, not that it was needed because everybody was in good spirits throughout the whole day!" Nigel Reynolds, Reprographics

"A great day - who have thought that cycling up steep hills on a Pashley bike with only 3 gears, whilst long legged lycra clad riders on light sports bikes with 8 times as many gears overtook me could have been so enjoyable? Now I know why Great Brickhill and Little Brickhill are named as such! Thank you to everyone who took part for their encouragement and camaraderie". Hazel Turton, Human Resources Division.

“I hadn't cycled in 10 years and was feeling nervous before I started. Once I started cycling, I remembered why I loved it so much when I was young! It was such a fun day, we were so lucky with the weather! Brilliant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, can't wait to do it again next year!” Rebecca McCoy, Finance Division

“I never knew there were so many hills between Oxford and Cambridge. Next year may I suggest we try Lincoln to Cambridge, much flatter. It was entertaining to see the look on the riders faces on their state of the art bikes being passed by a mail bike” Steve Matthews, Estate Management

“Bring on London to Cambridge” Alan Baldock, University Messenger Service 

“With our sturdy bikes and 800th anniversary high-vis tops we certainly stood out amongst the racing bikes and Lance Armstrong replica gear of the other competitors, one chap asked me if I'd like to swap bikes but I think that was only because he had a slow puncture! It was a fantastic day and brilliant fun, I don’t think we stopped laughing the whole way round. Thank you Alan for bullying us all into doing it!” Dawn James, Vice-Chancellor’s Office

"It was the first time I took part in the cycling ride Oxford to Cambridge and I really enjoyed it :). After doing one leg this year I would love to do the whole thing next year! And UMS bikes are great!" Inga Skeberdyte, Finance Division
 

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