Description
St Albans Cycle Hub sits at Old Oak, Cottonmill Lane, forming the outdoor heart of the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre: a 206m pump track, a 406m leisure track, a cyclocross track and four dirt jump lines, backed by a bike shop, workshop and cafe.
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The Tracks
- Pump track (206m): a surfaced, all-ability circuit of rollers and banked berms, ridden without pedalling. Designed and built by Clark and Kent Contractors, the same company behind the Olympic 2022 BMX track, and RoSPA-certified for safety.
- Leisure track (406m): a flat gravel circuit funded by Tarmac, winding through the field and around the football pitch. Beginner-friendly and used for warming up and building bike handling skills.
- Cyclocross track: built with Verulam Cycle Club, featuring steps, berms and off-camber turns for winter training. Verulam Cycle Club run Saturday morning youth sessions here.
- Dirt jumps: four lines with tabletops, gaps and hips, offering progression for experienced riders. Volunteer-built and maintained by Marlborough Club Trails, typically open April to October with year-round dig days.
All tracks are free to use and accessible without booking, even when the shop is closed. Group sessions, coaching and events may require booking through St Albans Cycle Hub.
Facilities
- Bike shop selling parts, accessories and reconditioned bikes, plus a click and collect outlet for Freewheel
- Fully equipped workshop offering bike maintenance and repairs, Bikeability courses and one-to-one tuition for all ages
- Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating
- Free parking, 36 spaces including 3 disabled bays
- Toilets and community facilities
Background
St Albans Cycle Hub is a not-for-profit community interest company (CIC), formed in 2022 to run the outdoor tracks, bike shop and training programme. The wider Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre was delivered by St Albans City and District Council as a ยฃ2.7 million project replacing the former Marlborough Pavilion, with British Cycling's Places to Ride Fund and Sport England jointly contributing ยฃ350,000 and the Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub community group raising a further ยฃ79,000. The outdoor tracks opened in May 2022, with the centre officially opened in March 2023.
Getting Here
The site sits west of St Albans city centre, accessed from Cottonmill Lane, with signed access to the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre and Cycle Hub. Address: Old Oak, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2EF.
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A snapshot of what riders say about this trail
Riders describe St Albans Cycle Hub as a genuine community hub built around a flowing pump track, a well-graded set of dirt jumps and a hoggin track for learners, backed by an on-site bike shop, cafe and accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility.
The dirt jumps draw particular praise for how well they're kept, with reviewers crediting the volunteer "dig crew" for keeping them in "peak condition." Parents highlight the confidence their kids build here, and riders travel in from across the county for what one reviewer called "a real community feel."