In the light

Photo by Broxrider

Blurry summer, you have given us a wonderful gift this year of light, sunshine and warmth. Thank you!

And thanks to Broxrider as always to help capture Manchester cyclists.

We are looking for more contributors to this blog as well as our Flickr group. If interested, please contact LC at ciaolc82 (@) yahoo.co.uk

Moustache Tweed {from October Tweed Ride}

Well, a tweed ride cannot be complete without superb examples of moustache and beard! Kindly modelled by Jonathan and David. Ta guys! Fine steeds too...

Thanks to Velocipedinerian for sharing.

Velvet elegance {from October Tweed Ride}

You can never go wrong with a warm, velvet jacket and this gentleman carries it just fine! Looks like a classic vintage he's riding too.

Thanks to Velocipedinerian for sharing.

Tweed Ride Manchester (05.10.12)

Velocipedinarian (phew!) has shared many excellent photos of the last Manchester's Tweed Ride (5th of October.

They are so good, we'll be sharing them over few posts... they will brighten us up as we move towards winter!

1st Instalment... enjoy!

Leaving the cafe (Withworth Street)

By the way, we find that our bikes inspire us to dress our best every day. You?

Bicycle Belles

Thanks to Broxrider for his continued contribution, much appreciated!

It's all about... Albert Square!

Now that I have discovered the perfect sunny bench in Albert Square, I have found that it's also a perfect place to spot many great cyclists.

This is what I captured sitting for just 10 minutes on a sunny Sunday.

Chilled cycling... why be in a rush on such gorgeous day uh?!

What a great junction view! No cars, just bikes.

Matching your top to your handle bars... must be cycle love.

Great cycle chic, if you ask me!

Sunshine

So after about 4 weeks a non-stop rain and autum-like weather, the sun has finally returned.

Unfortunately armed only with my camera phone, the quality may not be great, but still expresses a nice stream of bikes.

Taken from a sunny bench in Albert Square.

Red bike, red rucksack 

Brompton in style!

Snap!

It's a small world! On your way to a meeting who do you see? Rob and Simon arriving at Peter's Square for the monthly GMCC social ride.

Chrome

Those are some shiny bikes! Fresh from Ridelow? ; )

Enjoying the rare, but wonderful hot weather in Manchester (spring 2011).

Kindly shared by broxrider via our Flickr Group.

Chorlton Green Festival & feeder ride

Tomorrow, 31st of March, Chorlton is once again hosting the brilliant Chorlton Big Green Festival.

Naturally Cycling: Manchester and ChesterCycling will be leading the cycle ride from Manchester Oxford Road to Chorlton via the Fallowfield Loop.

Wheelers' Brunch will also be held at the festival from 12pm onwards. Meet at the GMCC stand, to then choose what to eat from where.

The timetable has been confirmed by the festival's organisers as:

Feeder ride:

11.00 MCR Oxford Road station (at Salisbury, Thirsty Scholar, Sound Control) - You'll recognise NaturallyCycling by the colourful spotty helmet (helmets are OPTIONAL!!).

11.05 University Place (on Oxford Road, opposite Manchester Museum)

11.10 Whitworth Park (wait outside Wetherspoon's, by the main road)

11.15 Owen’s Park (Wilmslow Rd car park, opposite Mabfield Rd)

11.20 Sainsbury's Fallowfield (wait at entrance to Sherwood St)Then ride along the Fallowfield Loop to...

11.35 Arrive @ Chorlton's Big Green Festival

Times for Chorlton's Big Green Festival are confirmed:

11:00 Festival and stalls open

12:00 Music starts

12:30 to 13:00 Bike Parade

13:30 to 14:00 Spokes Bicycle Dance Troupe Performance

17:30 Stalls begin to close

18:30 Music and festival close

19:30 to 22:30 Ceilidh

http://www.greenchorlton.org.uk/

http://thespokes.wordpress.com/

Style

As titled by Broxrider.

Thanks for sharing!

From our Flickr group.

Poise...

... amongst a chaotic sea of street furniture and signage.

There's something quite calming about a cyclist walking his/her bike looking for parking, in contrast with the hustle and bustle of traffic speed and noise.

Catch me if you can...

It's great to sit at a bar, enjoying a drink and watch the world go by...

It's not so easy though to catch our Mancunian cyclists, who 'thanks to' that 'amazing' cycling infrastructure *insert level of sarcasm in here* have to dash to avoid being squeezed by traffic...

Looking good nonetheless on a lovely vintage ride.

We have a long way to go till we can compare ourselves to this:

Image courtesy of (c)Amsterdamize

And this:

Image courtesy of (c)Copenhagenize

Bike Babble: Amy

Amy, Oldham Street

Why do you cycle?

It's fast and it's pleasant, especially in summer. Also you get to see loads of things that you wouldn't usually see if you are on public transport.

What tip would you give others to try cycling?

Just give it a go, find a cheaper bike from a local bike shop but get a good lock!

What would you like to see improved for cycling/cyclists?

Get proper lanes, nice and wide, so not to be pushed against buses. A new system that encourages cycling!

Thanks Amy! We hope you enjoy this glorious sunshine!

Skirt & Sandals

Do we need to say more?

Image by imagesbyjim via mcr cycle chic flicker pool

Through the viewfinder...

...of Sheffield Cycle Chic.

From our Manchester Cycle Chic flickr pool.

Sure signs of spring!

Although Manchester rain has returned, the sunshine of last week brought out the first signs of spring in our cycling community too.

Baskets

No matter what bike you have, a basket is always a pretty addition. As well as being rather useful!
Plus, you can customise it no end! Flowers, ribbons, bunting, toys, stickers... you name it. The basket below is from my bike, silk purple flowers are bound to steal a smile everytime I ride.

Walking your bike

Who says you have to ride your bike all the time, the brilliancy of the bike is that with friends sans vélo, you can easily walk your bike, and chat, and have fun... and look rather dapper, as this fine chap illustrates!