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Lady Margaret Lane
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The Lady Margaret Lane is a theoretical area of the River Cam that the Lady Margaret Boat Club have ownership and exclusive rights over. The Lane itself follows the racing line from Baits Bite Lock to the LMBC boathouse. The exact date of the development of the Lane is under debate, but it is believed to be around the mid-19th Century soon after the foundation of the boat club in 1825. Other college crews in Cambridge stray into the Lady Margaret Lane from time to time, but are reminded that although they are permitted to use the lane they do not have right of way in it. This is one of the many 'unwritten' CUCBC rules of the river This reminder is usually in the form of a call from the cox'n of "Lady Margaret Coming Through!!" The course of the Lady Margaret Lane follows that of the racing line, save for one important detour on the outside of Grassy Corner. This allows for perfect re-creation of the bumps experience which involves the cox parking on Grassy Corner on successive days during May Bumps. The Lady Margaret Lane has been a vital tool in the past successes of the club including winning the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The Lane is still an integral part of the rowing culture at LMBC today, good use of the LMBC lane by the club cox'ns leads to more 'good water time' which is a vital privilege, especially in an increasingly overcrowded river. For example, the use of the Lane in 2008 lead to the LMBC second VIII gaining thier blades and the first VIII achieving second on the river. Originally head piece boards were used to indicate that the Lady Margaret Lane was in use. These were red discs of approximately 6" in diameter that were erected on the bows of the boat using the Lane to allow other crews using the river ample opportunity to get out of the Lane. The use of head piece boards went out of vogue in the 1970's and as such will not be seen on the River Cam today. See Also
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