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Whether it's five miles or five hundred miles, riding a bicycle is more fun than anyone ever told me! My New Year's Resolution to cycle 10 miles a day or 40 minutes on a spin bike has meant that by the end of May I have cycled 2,600 miles! Because of my cycling wardrobe the weather has not stopped me from cycling (unless it really is -5 degrees or with wind gusts of 25 mph). Cycling in style and in comfort is really important to me as I don't really want to be covered in logos looking like a Ninja as I buy groceries or attend meetings. I have found some things that work for me but am always looking for new pieces. For me, Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery for the basics. My two favourite brands for my wardrobe are www.velorution.com and www.velovixen.com but I am always looking for new pieces. I would love to know what works for you and why. Happy cycling!

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Mice Log Ooops Where is the Sun Date 65



14.84 miles, 11.7 average, max speed 20.9 in 1hr 15  A great start to the day - I met up with a friend for coffee!   

Jennie and I go way back - we have known each other since we were 16 and I am proud to say that all those years ago I was there the evening she met her husband.    

In November last year I stayed with them in The Hague and we went for a bike ride on, funnily enough, Dutch Bikes.  (The basket on her bike caused a bit a stir from some of my fellow cyclists.)  Here is the pic and the basket!

We didn't quite manage a ride together today but I'm hoping a pootle around Hyde Park might happen soon.

After a very jolly elevensies, we went our separate ways.  I found myself in Hyde Park and was very happy to see that although the sunshine from yesterday was completely absent, the sunny attitude and warm temperature had brought people from their desks. 


This included some personal training activities or perhaps it was boot camp. 


Everyone was pretty relaxed even under the cloud covered sky.  There were a couple of uniform moments. 


As they cycled past I found myself saying hello to them which was very odd. I had better cut that out!

Further round the park I found these soldiers on horseback:

 
 
 I made my way along the Serpentine to see what the gulls were up to.






As I cycled along South Carriageway I noticed these two bicycles.  No ordinary bicycle as they are e-cycles.  

These have to be the Rolls-Royce of e-cycles as their price is extremely high but as a car replacement, especially for people driving around in 4x4's, a real possibility.   

One of the two chaps was the director himself.  They are made in the US and Australia.  They aren't light but can do 50mph.  They may not be everybody's cup of tea and certainly not everybody's budget (by quite a long way) but in my humble opinion, particularly for cities like London, the more options there are to replace the car the better and these are definitely another option.  

We had a bit of a giggle when I asked the chap with the black bike to stand away from the bike so he wasnt in shot! (Hence his hand on the saddle above).  I explained that I thought it better to have all of him in shot rather than none, so here he is:


They are pretty cool bikes.  This is their website Their business cards are strips of rubber so I think they are definitely thinking out of the box.

Oh I can't wait for London to be taken over by ebikes and bicycles.  Wouldn't it be great? 

On the way home I saw my average speed was 12.8 which was a massive (little) increase on the 8.1 the day before!  I then found myself pedalling much harder along the main road - it nearly changed my breathing! I'd better start getting some practice in for some longer rides coming up later this month with the wonderful (as in best fun you will ever have on a bike, ever) Friday Night Ride(s) to the Coast.  Here is their website.  

As I left the Serpentine I saw one more person in uniform


I popped into a shop on the way home looking for a money belt.  I found myself in Sweaty Betty which is a rare experience as I am not really the right shape, age or weight to shop in there! They were very helpful tho and I am mulling over a possible purchase although I suspect my fellow cyclists will tell me it's too big....!