FRESH START

Picture: Trish Peters Photography

An exciting and innovative new wellbeing and fitness studio called FRESH opens in Ely next month. The brainchild of fitness professionals Sara Ford and Alice Loombe, FRESH will offer an array of classes including Barre, Pilates, Dance, Yoga, Flexitone, HIIT, Bounce, Meditation, mental strength workshops and post-natal options. Sara and Alice, both Ely residents - who have 20 years’ experience in the dance and fitness industry - were awarded funding by Sport England for their new studio, which will offer classes that are accessible to all, regardless of age, gender or background. They aim to develop a nurturing environment that supports client’s mental health and opens discussion on how fitness can support a sense of wellbeing. As such, one class a day will be offered free to a charity, community group, older party or underrepresented group.

Alice and Sara hope to open at café at the FRESH studio – located at 16-18 Broad Street, Ely - and are keen to hear from vegan caterers, as well as yoga and boxing teachers, osteopaths, physios and counsellors, who’d be interested in renting space. Email goodvibes@freshandwell.co.uk.

Find out more at freshandwell.co.uk

PHOENIX RISES

Kentford is now home to the biggest man-made mountain bike park in East Anglia – built by riders, for riders. Phoenix Cycleworks originally opened in 2016, but has undergone a complete redevelopment, spearheaded by Red Bull athlete and pro BMX legend Kye Forte. The result is one of the most exciting, bike parks in the region, dubbed ‘incredible’ by RedBull athlete Matt Jones, who is among a number of mountain bike and jump bike 'celebrities' to test out the track. Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders, the bike park features a series of short flowing, technical trails with table top and gap jumps designed to push riders to the limit. For the less experienced and junior riders, there’s also coaching sessions available, with a purpose-built skills loop and kids pump track.

The bike park, which also boasts a coffee shop, workshop and bike shop (catering for road, commute, MTB, hybrid and e-bike riders), is open seven days a week, with riders paying £8 for half day sessions. Advance booking is essential due to its continuing popularity.

Find out more at phoenixcycleworks.co.uk

AWESOME ACTIVEWEAR

A textile artist specialising in contemporary print design, spanning cushions and lampshades, wallpaper and fabric, Rebecca J Mills Designs has released a range of stylish activewear. Inspired by the ‘amazing everyday’, from beautiful botanicals to pebbles on the beach, the striking selection includes soft and stretchy leggings, suitable for yoga, running, barre or simply lounging. Available in four different lengths, and made from sustainable fabrics, the leggings cost £49, at charltonisland.com

LIGHT UP

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We hate to say it, but from early September the nights begin to draw in, limiting our scope for evening exercise. Stockholm-based company Bookman, however, has created a range of attention-grabbing visibility products (fusing Scandinavian design with innovative technology) aimed at cyclists, runners and walkers.

There’s fun reflective stickers, perfect for customising your bike whilst ensuring extra visibility (starting at £6.30 a pack); Eclipse wearable light clips, which are rechargeable and water resistant, and easily attach to a jacket, coat, bag or pushchair (£26 each); and handy clip-on magnetic reflectors, ideal for walking the dog or taking a midnight stroll (£6.30 each). No excuses for slumping on the sofa after dark now!

Shop the enlightening collection at bookman.se

BRIDGE THE GAP

Since it launched 18 years ago, more than 37,000 walkers have taken part in the Bridge the Gap walk, strolling through Cambridge’s scenic college grounds each autumn – and raising a staggering £550,000 for local charities. Due to the pandemic, this year’s event cannot access the college grounds, however organisers have come up with a novel alternative. Walkers are invited to complete a self-guided 2.5 mile set route around Cambridge, anytime between Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, September 20.

Upon registration, costing £20 per household, participants will receive a booklet, featuring two quiz sheets, an answer sheet and a map of the wheelchair friendly-route, taking in Cambridge’s quirky streets, enchanting corners and historical landmarks.

The proceeds from the event, sponsored by Cambridge Building Society, will be split between Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

Register at arhc.org.uk/btg