Last weekend was a tiny glimpse of things to come, the joyful fact was that spring isn't too far away. Flowers are eager to bloom and the warmer days are merely in the distance... and quite frankly none of us can wait! With the miserable weather we've been having I started to think about the lack of motivation I've had with any training, I do yoga, cycling and run but I haven't even fancied doing those recently. I seem to have fallen into the pit of 'I can't be bothered' and it seems I'm not alone in this thinking...
I hate to feel forced into keeping fit, if my track record has proven anything is that I need to do exercise when I don't realize I am. When I say exercise when I don't realise, a prime love of mine is cycling; out in the fresh air but you don't often know you're exercising. You can do your day to day tasks, cycle to work, cycle out for a picnic...the list goes on and you're keeping fit = winner.
I've previously blogged about my love for cycling but I figured I'm looking for some needed inspiration so I'm hoping to take you along with me.
Firstly cycling has many benefits but one major one is that it's low impact, meaning it is a fantastic exercise for beginners right the way through to experts. With regards to this post I'm not say you need to be the next Bradley Wiggins or the next Mark Cavendish, I'm talking about cycling for the love of the activity and today I'm listing the bikes for ladies who want a fashionable push bike.
I have a wonderful bicycle called Gertie, I bought her last year off a market stall and have thoroughly enjoyed riding her to work, to my friends, to the shops and so on. She was £70.00 and to be honest it is the best money I've ever spent. You'll have noticed some bikes out in the shops are quite pricey so I've listed a mixture below - but each one is amazing in its own way.
1. Bobbin Brownie
This pale rose bicycle from Bobbin Brownies is one of my favourites - I'm a sucker for a vintage chic design and especially in a delicate pastel paint. The website describes the range as; "If you like leather satchels, Mackintoshes, Moleskine notebooks and Box Brownie cameras, this is the Bobbin for you. This beautiful, simple looped frame bicycle is designed for women who want a classic bike that can handle a few hills" Do I need to say anymore? This stunning model is available at specific stockist for £350.00, but I've found it on Cycle World
2. Pashley Most of you will have heard about a Pashley bicycle, as it's one of Britians longest standing bike manufacturer, and you can see why! The bikes that Pashley produce are all hand built and quite honestly - stunning! The one I'd chosen is the Britannia model in a gorgeous vibrant red color. Personally I adore a bike with a basket as it's ideal for popping to pick up bits from the shop or carting my handbag in. This Pashley bike is £625.00 and is available on the Pashley Cycles website.
3. Trek
I know this bicycle isn't as 'pretty' as the others but it is very practical. You certainly aren't limited with where you can cycle, you can head down country roads easily and uneven surfaces. Trek bikes tend to be extremely comfortable and this FX bike you'll be happy to know is built for both road and city use.
The Trek bike is £425.00 from the Trek website
4. Raleigh
I've had Raleigh bikes my entire life, I find the bikes fantastic - which is why I keep going back. I currently have a really old one but if I was to get another from their range I'd opt for their Spirit Blue one. I love the shape, the color and of course the feminine charm. I'd certainly say this was more of city bike rather than a road bike, but if you just want a bicycle for cycling to your local job or picking up the milk from the shops... go for this one!
The Spirit Blue Raleigh bike is £375.00 from the Raleigh website
5. Viking
Another city based frame, but with a splash of road bike influence. Love the color of this one and the vintage looking saddle and handles.
"All the features of the traditional Viking Heritage bike but the
Westwood comes with a rear carrier and a front basket. A classy ride in
Pearl Ivory and with contrasting brown saddle and grips, this bike
really is retro style"
This range of bikes are usually stocked at Go Outdoors but have a browse on their main website for a wider selection. The Westwood can be purchased for £249.99 from the Viking Website or Go Outdoors 
6. Dutchie
A great small company that creates ladies vintage inspired bicycles. This one is their Dutchie 'Chic' 8-speed.
"Stylish yet practical, the 'Chic' 8 speed is perfect for ‘pootling’
about the countryside or those hidden city shortcuts. And with 8 gears,
enough options for every gradient."
Add a woven basket and your cycle bag and away you go!
These bikes come in a variety of gears as well as sizes and this particular one is £398.00 from the Dutchie website.
7. Beg I stumbled upon this range of bikes a while ago and even though there are only a few in their range, I'm sure you'll agree it's quite beautiful! "BEG's beautiful Dutch bicycle Betty is a practical lass with her integrated front porter's rack but it's not at the expense of gorgeous good looks, and a jaunty, super-comfortable sit up and beg ride." Again this is very much a city bike but teamed with a basket, your floaty dress and in the summer? Well that's a truly amazing image! This bicycle comes in at £725.00 and is available direct from Beg Bicyles themselves.
The list above is just a few of my top bicycles currently on the market, I'm looking to extend my bicycle collection this summer so I'll be sure to let you know what rides best. I'm slowly starting to take after my triathlete boyfriend with collection of bikes when I swore I never would... but who can resist any of the bicycles above?!
xoxo
