Dining in Style: JOE's

This one is for the foodies and the fashionistas. This week we visited Draycott Avenue to dine at the beautifully appointed JOE's, the stylish eatery of the sleek and chic fashion line Joseph.
The brainchild of a fashion house, the interior did not disappoint. Following the elegant but pared down aesthetic of the clothing line, JOE's features crisp white tablecloths, minimalist wooden and red leather chairs, and a selection of beautiful wooden sideboards and bookshelves. A well curated group of black and white Lennon and McCartney photographs adorn the wall, and the bookshelves boast a carefully chosen array of fashion magazines and vintage bottles of red wine. JOE's manages to look stylish without being imposing: dare I say it, it's actually rather warm and homely. (Perhaps if your home has been featured in Vogue!)

The kitchen has recently come under the stewardship of Anglo-Greek chef Maria Elia, and the menu is both enticing and innovative. There is a wonderful range of both rich and diet friendly dishes (sides are ordered separately - a must for the body conscious "ladies who lunch" crowd, who seem to be big fans of this place), and we were torn by many delicious sounding options.

What we ate:
To start:
Chilli and ginger prawns, crown prince squash cous cous
Pan-fried scallops, morcilla, roasted apple creme fraiche
For mains:
Pan-fried sea bass with raw beetroot, herbs and toasted seed cous cous with yoghurt dressing
Octopus, tomato and fennel pasta rags (sugar snaps, lemon butter and almonds)
Pheasant, puy lentils, celeriac and hazelnuts (hand cut chips, rosemary salt)
Rounding off:
Amaretti, pear and chocolate tart

Kicking off the meal with olives and slightly oily (my favourite) garlic crisp-bread, the starters were both fantastic. My pan-friend scallops with morcilla (Spanish black pudding) with roasted apple and creme fraiche was really well balanced, with the apple and creme fraiche lightening the rich and juicy flavours of the scallops and morcilla. Sarah's prawns were juicy, and the dish was full of interesting and warming flavours. Both dishes were well presented on smart pieces of slate.

For me the piece de resistance was the sea bass with raw beetroot. Thank goodness the kitchen insisted we give it a try. The sea bass was done perfectly: well textured and easy to prise away with a fork. The tang of the raw beetroot and yoghurt dressing was the perfect complement and the dish was satisfying without being too weighty (a perfect option is you're hoping to squeeze into some of Joseph's skinny leather trousers!).

Both our mains were fairly rich (I've never been able to muster the art of dining 'light' whilst in a restaurant) but my pheasant was a brilliant seasonal option. The celeriac and hazelnuts gave an extra lightness and crunch, whilst the bird was nice and tender. My hand cut chips were size XXL and every so slightly oily. Delicious and satisfying none the less.

The octopus and fennel pasta offered an interesting combination of flavours, but Sarah found it perhaps a little on the heavy side, although beautifully cooked. A great dish if you're coming in for just one course, perhaps? Certainly I enjoyed the few mouthfuls I eagerly took from her plate!

By the time we were re-presented with the menu to consider desserts we were both pretty stuffed. However, we were unable to resist the chocolate, pear and amaretti tart (two spoons!). The taste of almond comes through quite strongly, but the combination of chocolate and pear has long been a favourite of mine. Served with a dollop of ice cream, our stomach didn't quite allow for us to do it justice, but if you find yourself ready for a third course at JOE's and want a recommendation - we reckon it's pretty much on the money. Just be prepared to roll yourself out of the restaurant afterwards.

Talking of money, it's well worth mentioning that the prices are anything but eye-watering, and, considering the fashion credentials of the place, the portions aren't tiny size-6 affairs either. Starters ranged from 5.50 to 9.95 whilst the most expensive main (a hefty tagliata steak) will set you back 20.50. They also offer a good value prix-fixe menu at lunchtime.

JOE's
126 Draycott Avenue,
South Kensington,
London SW3 3AH

Fulham Halloween Hotspots

Halloween in Fulham will be a spooky affair with most of our favourite bars, pubs and clubs hamming up the horror for the weekend. Costumes are essential (Jess and I recommend Circus Circus on Wandsworth Bridge Road) whether you fancy some creepy cocktails or a full on rave from the grave- here is our pick of top Halloween Hotspots.

Aragon House
Aragon House is hosting their annual Halloween party on Friday night (28th October). The Parsons Green party kicks off at 8pm with a DJ until late- fancy dress is encouraged and they will have a selection of spooky drinks specials all night.

                                     

The Jam Tree
Never missing a creative beat The Jam Tree is hosting a Bloodsuckers Ball on Saturday 29th October. They have promised spooky decor, a makeup artist on site to ghoulify, prizes for the best dressed and scary cocktails.
                                                                 
Public
The official Public Halloween Party will not disappoint, the HUB London girls will be “encouraging all who dare to indulge their inner villain and party like an absolute criminal”. Costumes and full on fancy dress is expected and an array of surprises are promised in what will be ‘the world’s deadliest prison”. 

Eighty Six

For those looking for a more subtle and sophisticated approach, EightySix have promised to be ‘spooktacular' but not too crazy. They have been tweeting their impressive pumpkin attempts throughout the week and will no doubt have a great atmosphere over the weekend. 

                                                             
Kings Chelsea
This newly refurbished Kings Road nightclub is hosting a ‘Boudoir of Beasts’ party featuring Kiss Me Deadly - A decadent Lingerie Show modelled by seductive Femme Fatale beastly beauties. Britain’s Next Top Model Jessica-Louise Abidde will be making a special guest appearance modelling for Kiss Me Deadly. They are promising that Halloween horror chills, party treats and thrills await...

                                                                

Getting into the fighting spirit

Fitness can be fun, and fitness can be a chore. Sarah and I have been lucky enough to try out a multitude of classes across SW6, from bikram yoga to tabata training, but I've always found that trying a new class is the best motivator to get my body moving. So when I heard about Safari Kickboxing, I leapt at the chance to get fighting fit, whilst trying my hand at something different.

Safari Kickboxing is run by husband and wife duo Karim and Khadija Safari. Tucked away in a discrete location in a shopping centre on the North End Road, the studio is surprisingly spacious and offers total privacy from prying eyes - perfect for those of us who haven't quite 'mastered' the moves yet! Classes are single sex, which serves a multitude of purposes. Kickboxing competitions are traditionally run in different weight classes, and seeing as some of the kicks and punches are given with force, even in training, I for one was very glad some muscle-bound fellow wasn't throwing his fists at me! More importantly, it sets a supportive and relaxed tone which attracts a multitude of ages, shapes and cultures to train in a way in which they feel comfortable.

Khadijah is a very engaging and motivating teacher who has evidently built an excellent rapport with her students, many of whom are regulars. But kind and chatty as she is, she will work you hard - my abs were still burning days later! We were taught a combination of "fight" sequences, combining blocks, dodges, jabs, punches, hooks, high kicks and stomach kicks. To up the ante repetitions were built in: one four part sequence was repeated once, twice, thrice and then up to 10 times! Khadijah makes sure to give everyone plenty of personal attention, as each of the moves is doubly effective when performed with the right positioning and posture, and keeping your guard is just as important as getting the moves right.

Kickboxing is not just about learning how to spar - there is a huge emphasis on gaining personal confidence but also fitness. The classes start with a healthy dose of skipping and we were guided through a series of squats, crunches, leg raises and abdominal exercises that, whilst challenging, are guaranteed to give you a six pack! For those real fitness freaks amongst you, or just gluttons for punishment, Safari also runs aptly named Cardio Killer sessions.

The classes are really accessible and welcoming. There's a range of ability within the group but both Khadijah and the other students are more than willing to take time to make sure you're doing the postures correctly and that you're enjoying yourself. You'll come out of the class exhausted, but most of the exercises can be dialled up or down according to your fitness levels - just know that you will be stretched! Though, no pain, no gain, right?

Safari Kickboxing
347 North End Road
SW6 1NN

Tiki-time, in SW6

Writing the cocktail column for DV8 magazine is one of the monthly appointments Sarah and I really look forward to, and ahead of their October issue we were excited to check out one of the newest bars on the Fulham scene, Kona Kai.

Kona Kai is a Polynesian themed bar with a fab location just a stones throw from Fulham Broadway station. The attention to detail is great, and as you enter you are struck by an array of wooden tribal masks, colourful ceiling lamps, woven-bamboo chairs and carved cocktail jars. The atmosphere is unashamedly fun, cheeky and unpretentious, plus I'm a sucker for a theme, so ticks all round there! For those of you who have visited Sugar Cane in Clapham Junction, you'll get the picture - Kona Kai is their sister club.

Apart from copious amounts of bamboo, florals and tropical motifs, the point of difference for any self-respecting Tiki bar is the philosophy around drinks. The drinks need to be STRONG! And golly, they really are. Traditionally, Polynesians used a blend of sweet, tropical fruit flavours to mask the taste of their potent bootleg rum. Whilst the alcohol at Kona Kai is of markedly better quality than what would have been available in the tropics a century or so again, the bar has remained true to the Tiki concept. Cocktails are full of sweet, tropical fruit flavours and they definitely pack a punch.

Our favourites of their fruity concoctions were the Lazy Afternoon and the, aptly named, Tiki Death Punch. The Lazy Afternoon contains 42 below Passion Fruit Vodka, Malibu Coconut rum, peach, pineapple and apple which whilst sweet, was definitely refreshing and tasted very tropical. The Tiki Death Punch is made to "James' secret recipe" but what we could tease out of the barman was that this one contains plenty of over-proof rum, grenadine and is topped with a healthy wedge of pineapple. This cocktail tastes good and is guaranteed to indicate the start of a pretty big night out! If those two cocktails haven't injected you with all of your 5 a day (there is after all half a fruit bowl in there) then we can suggest going off-menu and asking barman Vinne for his 'Green Fairy' cocktail. Gin-based, this cocktail fuses grapes, elderflower and lemon in a way which is at once fun and also adds a touch of elegance and glamour to this fun-filled location.

The drinks are also good value, and for those of you looking for a seriously fun, but inexpensive mid-week night out, Kona Kai offers a full complement of deals throughout the week. "Sundown Sundays" offer 2 for 1 cocktails and complementary food with table bookings, whilst "Exotica" Thursdays are an opportunity to drink £3.50 mojitos all day long. Saturday's happy hour is 4-7pm and for those looking to party in a group (this is definitely a good birthday party location), table bookings are free and require no minimum spend.

Whilst Kona Kai is not one of the more sophisticated venues in SW6, that's not what it's trying to be. This place is seriously fun, cheeky and really lives up the theme. We reckon it's perfect for a cheap night out in a large group, and would definitely recommend it for a birthday party. For a full cocktail review and our Barman of the Month feature with Kona Kai's Ben, check out DV8's October issue here

Kona Kai
515 Fulham Road
SW6 1HD.

Not open on Mondays

Finney Fitness, not for the faint hearted

Still desperately trying and failing to get into fighting fit shape Jess and I decided to take drastic action and sought out the toughest of trainers, Nick Finney. Nick is a no nonsense, tough love personal trainer who trains the Made in Chelsea girls amongst other local celebrities, surely he could whip Jess and I into shape? The session started badly with Nick asking if I had run from Edinburgh when I turned up sweating and panting from my 15 minute jog to meet him, evidently this was not going to be an easy ride.

                                                 

We found a private corner of Eel Brooke Common to keep embarrassment to a minimum and Nick asked us about our usual routines and diet (wine, food, copious amounts of choccie and occasionally running for the 22 pretty much covered it). However, not deterred by our lack of physical prowess Nick told us that with a couple of sessions a week we could dramatically transform our physiques from the squishy end of the spectrum to svelte.
                                                         
It wasn’t long before we were lunging, sprinting, dipping and squatting, a routine that mixes cardio with resistance and apparently burns those calories like no other. Our heart rates were kept high and our bums burning throughout the routine which we repeated twice for each exercise. We couldn’t help but think that surely Caggie and Milly must get as puffed out as we did but sadly Nick did nothing to reassure us and went as far as to describe as ‘old grannies’! Our female powers of persuasion didn’t prove fruitful and Nick was not prepared to give us an easy ride, this was training at its best!

                                                
For those seeking a more social experience Nick runs regular group classes where you can squat alongside his array of glamorous clients. Despite my protests and moaning throughout the session I could barely walk or sit down the next day and was amazed at how such an easy and simple routine could have such an impact- it’s obviously the Nick Finney effect! Nick has considerable experience in the business and so we asked him for some top tips to keeping trim and exercising for maximum effect- good luck!


Top Tip 1: Don’t Panic
Don't obsessively weigh yourself daily; it is not productive, and tends to lead to skipping meals. Research shows skipping meals actually leads to a higher total daily calorie intake as we unwittingly 'stockpile'. We also have small fluctuations in the body's fluid levels day to day. Therefore it is not necessarily a true fat loss measure so try checking once a week or fortnightly instead.


Top Tip 2: Healthy Eating not Starving
A great first step in a weight loss, or indeed an improved well-being journey, is to begin eating healthy options but not to be overly concerned initially with portion size. If you only choose a mix and match menu based on the following options; it will be difficult to put on weight, and indeed it will begin to drop off.
Protein base: chicken, turkey, beef, tuna, salmon, prawns
Complex carbs: sweet potato, oatmeal, basmati rice, brown rice
Snacks/meal sides: any fruit, any veg

Eat any of the above, in any combination you like for two weeks and see how great you feel.

Top Tip 3: Great Workout Schedule:

Monday: 30mins lower body weights, 30mins cardio
Tuesday: 60mins cardio
Wednesday: 30mins upper body weights, 30mins cardio
Thursday: 60mins cardio
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest
Sunday: rest

This allows you to hit all the muscles in the body with weights and resistance training creating a long lasting calorie burn, and a nice toned appearance. For the 3hours of cardio; think of it as exactly that. Do not get bogged down in terms of heart rate or which form to choose. Do whatever you fancy at whatever rate your comfortable with so long as it adds up to 3 hours a week. Rowing, running, walking, swimming, x-trainer are all good forms of cardio.

@finneyfitness
www.nickfinney.co.uk

A South Kensington Secret

The word 'private members club' can conjure many connotations, often dependent on age and location. In Fulham and Chelsea the word is thrown around more frequently and in some instances with careless regard. A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be a plus one to the opening of one of the more exclusive 'private members club' openings in SW7. This sort of thing is not usually mine or Jess's cup of tea but I went with an open mind to gain an insight into how the other half live.

                                       

Dorsia, previously The Firehouse, is an exclusive restaurant come bar and nightclub in South Kensington where members have to pay a considerable fee annually to be permitted over the threshold. However, luckily for us civilians who aren't up there with the high rollers, we were allowed a sneak peak to see the transformation and makeover of this beautiful Georgian building. A reported 2.4 million was invested by owners Nick Andreen and Fraser Carruthers to transform Dorsia into a slick and mysterious, buzzing yet discreet hang out for those in the know in South West London.

                                                     


The cocktail menu has been painstakingly crafted by Thomas Gillgren from Sketch and Fredrik Olsson from Chelsea's Kosmopol (who are both Directors of the Chelsea Academy of Bartending). This is just one example of the level of detail that has gone into the re-design of this historic venue. The decor and lighting scream high end opulence whilst blending effortlessly with cutting edge design features such as the elliptical-shaped onyx bar top.

                                              

Once I had pawed over the brand spanking new surroundings I realised the party was getting underway at lightning speed. The champagne flowed whilst the young and glamorous crowd, which unsurprisingly featured a spattering of cast members from Made in Chelsea, began to relax and party to the sounds of the uber cool female DJ. Just when my eyes couldn't get any wider, Kelis appeared as if by magic onto the terrace to perform a private set for the room, a wow factor that had even the coolest of guests impressed. In true Chelsea style the party knew no bounds or budget and was still in full swing until the very early hours. It wouldn't be my first port of call for a night out on the town, but every now and then a girl needs a bit of glamour in her life, and Dorsia does just that.


3 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 2HR

http://www.thedorsia.co.uk

Not for any old member of the general PUBLIC

Since last December when Public opened, this super stylish venue on Lots Road has been descended by sloanes, royals, officers and pretty much anyone who’s anyone in London. Guy Pelly confidently decided that despite some direct rival competition in neighbouring nightclubs he was going to make his mark on Chelsea. No other opening caused such a sensation in the area, and reviews started to flood in thick and fast from friends and colleagues. Having visited a couple of times following the opening, I decided it was time to return now the dust had settled and see whether Public had staying power for us non royals.

The week I chose to visit turned out to be quite an exciting one for the esteemed nightclub, they had just been named the winner of London's Best Nightclub at the London Lifestyle Awards 2011 and had announced Public Verbier was opening. Jess and I had been wanting to visit on a Friday night for ages and so I got in touch with HUB London, a Chelsea based nightlife company run by a bevy of glamorous girls who really know how to throw a party. They organized a guest list for us so we avoided any embarrassment upon arrival and were treated like royalty all night. With clubs such as Public that are renowned for their selectivity and queue’s scaling the length of New Kings Road HUB London puts the fun back into Chelsea clubbing.

We had a great table opposite the bar which was perfect for people watching and immediately started to enjoy the fun, glamorous atmosphere. It was mere moments before a strikingly beautiful hostess wearing a white shirt and braces, à la Britney Spears, presented a ‘WarHead’ at our table. This concoction which is festooned with orange straws arrives in an army style bomb container and is made up of Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, pear and green apple purées, apple liquor and fresh lemon topped with a bottle of Moët. This to me signifies the fun element that Public has got so right; the VIP room is called the ‘sweet room’ and is decorated with old fashioned glass sweet jars, they have a fairground style photobooth and painted horses (which I don’t think you are technically allowed to sit on but everyone does!).

Thanks to HUB London the whole evening ran as smoothly as possible and we partied the night away carefree. We were also lucky enough to spy a sort of X Factor celebrity in the VIP room but sadly no Prince Harry on this occasion. Looks like Public is here to stay, horray! 

Not recommended after a few cocktails!

http://www.hub-london.com/

It's Not Curry

We've got a plethora of creative people living in SW6 - Fulhamites do fashion, food, art and design and photography and they do it well.

Combining two of my favourite art forms, food and photography, is SW6 local Kathryn Louise Geels of Ghel Creative (@girlondon) who is exhibiting a collection of her images from Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana, India aimed at debunking Western stereotypes of Indian food and culture.

Kathryn was inspired by her work as a photographer and extensive travels through India, finding that the diversity of culture, language, religion, environment and way of life was each day more apparent. Through her images she hopes to present "a unique perspective, not synonymous with most Western people's idea, of India and Indian food". Focusing on a nation with a zest for life, an abundance of colour and vigour and "an unrivalled fondness and appreciated for food, feasts and celebrations - from preparation, to serving and offering and of course its consumption."

If that's got your taste and culture buds going already, you can see "It's Not Curry" at Reynolds, 53 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 4PA from 10th October to 9th December.

Back to the 90s with The Big Easy

If you're thinking ribs, meats, shrimps, margaritas and the best of American dining in RBKC there's only one place you can think of. The Big Easy has been a local institution for donkeys, giving us the original Chelsea rib eating contest, the borough's meanest Margarita, excellent live music and a loud and proud atmosphere that keeps the regulars coming back time and time again.

Now, when I say donkey's years, I should specify... it will be 20 years exactly this 8th of November and to celebrate The Big Easy will be transporting diners back to the 90s in a way we can ALL appreciate. No need for kappa jackets, crimped hair or dodgy renditions of the Spice Girls... our favourite local BBQ and Crabshack will instead take your wallets back to 1991.

For one night only a full rack of hand-trimmed, hickory slow-smoked ribs marinated in their world-famous BBQ sauce, for the original opening price of £5.95! (normally £14.90). And to wash it down, their classic frozen Margaritas are just 95p with any main meal.


Marking this historic milestone, every 20th customer through the door will get a 50% discount on a meal for two when they return after the 8th, so cross your fingers, touch wood and prey to the gods of American Gulf Coast gastronomy that you scoop the top-prize.


And book up quick... ribs that cheap don't stick around too long!


The Big Easy
332-334 Kings Road, London SW3 5UR
www.bigeasy.co.uk

Seasonal? Tick! Local? Tick! Manson? BIG tick!

If you've read this blog before, you'll know we're big fans of the Sands End. In fact, you're probably sick of the Sands End we bang on about it so much. So this evening, ladies and gentleman, I'm pleased to be able to stick to a theme close to our hearts, whilst writing about something new!

Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Manson, the sister restaurant to our beloved Sands End, to sample a seasonal menu by new Head Chef Alan Stewart, with wine pairings by sommelier Mickey Narea. Sarah had previously reviewed Manson here, but we'd heard great things about Alan (formerly of Wandsworth stronghold Chez Bruce, and latterly Launceston Place) and naturally couldn't wait to see what changes were underfoot at this local British brasserie.

Upon entering, I was immediately impressed by the décor (interestingly, as it hadn't changed since Sarah had visited and she hadn't been struck by it - perhaps it was the difference between day and evening). Manson manages to retain the warmth and authentic ambience of the Sands End, but with a slightly more upmarket feel: all beautiful woods, taupes, creams, interesting artwork and inviting chesnut-leather banquette seating. I was also impressed with their commitment to producing interesting twists on seasonal meat and vegetables, and to sourcing their ingredients locally. Not only do all the ingredients come from the British Isles, but a good deal of the vegetables even come from an allotment in Fulham Palace Gardens. As Mickey explains, Alan sometimes visits the allotment between servings - your vegetables could not be much more fresh and local than that!

Visiting in October, game is very much of the season, and so our four course meal consisted of venison, partridge and grouse, followed by Braeburn apple pie. What could have been a very heavy menu was made light and playful by Alan's inventive use of a plethora of seasonally British ingredients. Our first course of tartar of highland venison, pickled girolles, celeriac and cobnuts was surprisingly light, yet delightfully smooth and autumnal. For this dish, Narea surprised us by starting not with a white wine, as is traditional, but a light Pinot Noir (Little Yering Pinot Noir, Victoria, Australia) which complemented the dish perfectly.

Mickey surprised us again with an unorthodox move from red back to a richer and more complex white (Limousin Reserva, Marques de Riscal, Rueda, Spain) to accompany the delicious red leg partridge, quince, honey and oats that we were served next. Partridge is a personal favourite of mine, and this was cooked to perfection: the slightly earthy meat blending well with the sweetness of the quince, honey and the texture of the oats.

Feeling fairly full, but eager for the next course, we moved on to the roast grouse, with damsons and savoy cabbage. The richest of the courses, the sweetness of the damson plums gave a welcome sweet punctuation to the flavour of the meat and the savoy cabbage was also an excellent accompaniment - I'm glad we were spared potatoes as I don't think I could have managed them at this point!!! The next stop of Mickey Narea's companion wine tour took us to Italy, as we sampled a fairly earthy and rustic 2007 Biferno Reserva (Camillos de Lellis, Molise, Italy) which I enjoyed, but perhaps not as much as the previous two wines, although it undoubtedly complemented the dish well.

Not to worry - this was a portion for 4!

To round off a fairly heavy meal, what else but a suitable British dessert: Braeburn apple tart, served with a fantastic clove ice cream. This dish to me epitomised what the meal was about in a simple way: classically British, with a surprising twist. It was served with a French dessert wine (2009 Coteaux du Layon, Domaine du Pont de Livier, Loire, France) which I'm afraid I could barely touch, as I was completely fit to bursting and I feared it might send me to sleep! However, it did draw appreciative nods from those around the table with more wine knowledge than myself, so I'd hedge my bets it was a good'un.

Whilst the meal was very rich, it was still original, fun and surprising. Alan and Mickey have worked together for several years, and the shared passion and enthusiasm really shines through in some excellent, imaginative and thoughtful food and wine pairings. Manson got me pretty excited about British cuisine again, and the fact that everything was seasonal and local was the cherry on the cake. Fantastic food, fantastic ambience, and a dollop of truly Great Britain. A must-visit.


Manson
676 Fulham Road, London SW6 5SA
Head Chef: Alan Stewart

Coffee, Cake and... Cycling!

For those of you who haven't already heard about Bikeminded, it's a three year scheme launched by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to encourage residents to give cycling a go, thereby clearing some traffic from the borough's roads and hopefully reducing the inches on the borough's waistline!

So whilst my cycling ability can at best be described as 'novice', I do rather pride myself on my ability to gorge on patisserie. Given that another (obvious) hobby of mine is to explore the local area, after hearing about Bikeminded's latest programme of events, I confess I did rather think I'd died and cycled to heaven!

This weekend, Bikeminded are following up on their successful Blue Plaque tours with a Coffee and Cake Cruise from Notting Hill to Chelsea. Taking in the borough's most prestigious and delicious cafes and cake shops, including the famous macaroons at Pierre Herme in Knightsbridge, the group will be guided through the borough's roads by a group of trained marshalls, with bike-minders on hand to look after their 'wheels' whilst they re-ingest some of the calories they've worked off! If there was ever a way to ease yourself into the rigours of cycling gently, this is eat, and I know where I'm concerned a sure fire way to embed cycling into my heart is via my stomach.

And if you can't make this weekend, Bikeminded have also come up with an eerily fun way to celebrate Halloween locally - with a Ghost Cycling Tour around the borough! Nothing like a few ghoulish sightings to get you pedalling faster!

For more details, check out the Bikeminded website and blog at www.bikeminded.org