Chester Fabulous Ladies

Six weeks ago, on the first Sunday ride of 2026, the forecast was for a little snow, but we set out anyway. The weather varied from mini snow storm to beautiful blue skies. We went to Ness gardens but headed home as it was cold, and was probably going to get worse.

Unfortunately, as we dropped down Denhall lane to retrace over the board walk my bike slipped on ice, the thin layer of snow had smoothed out and was super slippy. Nothing broken, but still sore.

So, although the weather looks like a glorious sunny day tomorrow, the temperatures are set to drop to -2 overnight, with maybe a little more rain, just to ensure there are some very slippy icy spots out there.

I will be at Kingsway cafe if you want to drop in, but I think we should cancel tomorrows ride.

Next ride will be 14th March, when hopefully there will be less chance of snow and ice!

Calling all! First up - a Happy New Year 2026, and round up of 2025. We missed the month due to inclement weather; I partially retired in April so got an extra day in my week to ride; One of our gang left us to move to Scotland in May; We had a splendid weekend away to Arnside in June; No rides in June or July due to leaders and weather too hot; and four new cafes out of the nine rides we held. Not so bad!

But new for 2026, I am trying to streamline and manage all the social media outlets and methods I use to communicate far and wide, to wit I have created a Whatsapp Community, with a Fab Ladies group. If you would like to know what is coming up, please DM me with your mobile and I will add/ invite you.

Finally, I'm sorry to announce there will be no ride for January, due to very cold weather forecast (and snow as I type Thursday evening). Wrap up warm and make lots of cycling plans with us for the year!

Just to let you know, booking will be required to join our next Ladies ride on 11th Oct. This is because I am the only leader available, so need to manage numbers.
Meeting as usual at Kingsway Cafe, we will head over to Bunbury, enjoying the autumn colours, and have brunch or a snack at Tillys. We have not been for a while, so it will be nice to head out to Beeston
Booking link https://bookwhen.com/chesterctc =ev-stfkd-20251011093000
See you there!

After a summer break we are back with a summer ride this coming Saturday 9th August. The plan is to head to Alyn Waters Visitor Centre, a delightful cafe which I discovered last November on my Sunday ride to Llanfynydd.

We meet at 9:30 at Kingsway Cafe for a coffee and to sign in, aiming to leave at 10.

The route will include some off road sections (in Alyn Waters Country Park) but it was rideable last November and the surface should be better now/ not muddy - although I am hoping not too many nettles! I plotted a nearly 30 mile route (out and back, 30 maximum in total) but I am trying to avoid main roads.

No booking required this month, just turn up!

WELSH FESTIVAL - the Welsh Festival of Cycling is back in Ruthin for a weekend of riding some of the best roads in Wales.
Camping will be from the afternoon of Thursday 24th July, with rides & events on the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th. The campsite to be vacated by 10am on Tuesday the 29th.

We will have the usual mix of rides of varying distances, a Treasure Hunt and the every popular Hill Climb and Freewheeling competitions.

This year we are delighted that we have two Audax rides going out from the Festival - make sure you register for this separately

If people are intending to camp they must arrange that in advance and not just turn up out of the blue as we must have enough space for those who have booked in advance.

Welsh Festival details - https://www.cyclinguk.org/event/welsh-festival-cycling-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawLkNopleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBTSlhpYVpOR0pwdzJKZUtmAR7OtX_a-IJSFixPZE7ZOb8B6VUNesXyEbqyaVXbQXpQbsnPueumPji4zg_UCw_aem_XoaIS621dokv3XQKcSyl0Q

Please remember to book on to the Wednesday evening rides if you want to join us

Summer Evening Ride Series - Booking by Bookwhen Chester CTC (Part of Cycling UK) welcome riders or all abilities and from all backgrounds. We have Sunday rides, ladies only rides and summer evening rides between April and August. Please see our full rides list https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1euMZDRVTTV338jzHn9EMXQc0BDyVnC46_tEyRAGd7XI/edi...

July Fab Ladies Ride.
Hi - this month we are having a slightly different ride, on a Sunday afternoon (13th July). Kingsway cafe will not be open, but we will meet outside anyway at 13:00 and have a short ride to a cafe for 'afternoon tea' - not a proper pay-lots-of-money kind of afternoonsies, but just coffee and cake
Please book here https://bookwhen.com/chesterctc/e/ev-s6q5-20250713130000

There have been a few requests for a new club top order, so I have been in touch with Champion Systems, and Edward tells me:

The team store is ready. You can share the details below with your members.



1. Head to our website: www.champsys.uk

2. Click on TEAM STORE button at the top menu bar

3. Enter the (case sensitive) password: FAB



If we close the store midnight on 21st July then we will meet a delivery w/c 11th August.

Short sleeved, long sleeved, gilets, even bib shorts!

Please note - I am trialing a booking system for Summer evening rides over the next two months. I would love to see you out with us!

Chester CTC - Booking by Bookwhen Chester CTC (Part of Cycling UK) welcome riders or all abilities and from all backgrounds. We have Sunday rides, ladies only rides and summer evening rides between April and August. Please see our full rides list https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1euMZDRVTTV338jzHn9EMXQc0BDyVnC46_tEyRAGd7XI/edi...

The ride this coming Saturday (June 14th) is CANCELLED - sorry to let you down. See you in July - or any Wednesday evening!

Next Sunday ride (27th April), meet at Bridge Street Coffee shop (BY THE NEW MARKET!) 9am for coffee and croissants, to leave at 9:30, for a circular ride to Pulford for our AGM ('free' beans on toast, just a little help required if you can!). I intend to do 25 miles, but it will depend who is out and the weather!

You can, if you wish, make your own way to Pulford, or meet at The Plough in Christleton 10:00 as the Tuesday Watson's Wanderers are leaving from there at that point (some parking in the car park)