A Minx Girl Ride

Ali has been building up her bike miles recently so when I suggested riding to Hebden Bridge for the minx girls ride she actually agreed, as long as we could get the train home if she wanted to. We set off a little later than planned on the road to Rochdale and eventually getting on the canal for the rest of the way, well until Todmorden where we got a little confused and just ended up back on the road to Hebden, we wanted to ensure we had time for food though. Arriving just after 10:30am we had time for breakfast panini's/bagel's, cake and a hot chocolate for me.

There were thirteen of us in total and we headed out on a typical Calderdale ride. It went up, then down, up again, down again, up again and down again. I don't think there was any flat on the ride apart from the bit of canal at the start.

We lost a couple of riders along the way, family commitments or broken bikes. Jenn came up trumps and fed us flapjack at the top of one of the climbs although after another downhill she did lead us up another climb.

Back to Cafe Cali for more food, including cake of course. There were lots of tired legs and lots of smiles. The sun was shining and for some unknown reason there was a guy stood in the river balancing rocks?

As we all headed our seperate ways Ali decided to start riding home and see how she felt at Todmorden, she looked very tired at this point. Here it was on towards Rochdale, an emergency Haribo stop at Littleborough and we made it all the way home.

63miles for us and Ali was ready for bed!

Come and ride with the Minx Girlies

This coming saturday (21st May) a crowd of girls are descending on Hebden Bridge to get muddy on mountain bikes. Why don't you join us?

Details here.

A weekend of bikes and beer

Saturday I was working at a fashion show in the arndale. I wasn't modelling but signing people up for free cycle training. Which was harder than I anticipated, everyone just tells you they can ride a bike, men especially look at you as if they are insulted. I was told that I had to dress smart or fashionable.....I needed some ideas. In came minx to the rescue! Saturday morning I was waiting for the postie, who arrived with loads of time. A fab outfit was contained inside and I had instructions to wear it over 3/4-length bike tights.

The day was fun, a bicycle powered sound-system and smoothie making being my favourite. The fashion show was interesting. A couple of the outfits I could imagine riding in - skinny jeans being a good look - but some just weren't practical. I did however get some compliments and equires to where I got my little biking skirt. I have to say I would have never worn one before but it was so comfy and I really liked it!

Since Ali was off playing in the peaks on her bike I met up with Odile for a couple of drinks and then dinner. We ended up dancing to 80's music in New York, New York before heading home at 11pm. My outfit worked perfectly for heading out in Manchester.

Sunday was another lovely sunny day. I was an assistant leader on a ride in South Manchester and leaving later than planned, meant when Ali realised she had forgotten her phone I had to let her go home on her own. Pushing hard I think I got a really good average for me. Just before the ride started Ali turned up, she had decided to still do the ride. Afterwards we headed off to a local pub with Patrick, it had a tv outside and I managed to grab some seats. Turned out it was a really friendly pub and although the football didn't deliever we had a great afternoon. Then it was out for an early anniversary dinner for me and Ali. I should have thought about what I was wearing though as all my spare layers were clashing!

A fantastic weekend, lots of bikes, smiles and fun.