Originally seen on nottinghillgate.co.uk - posted on 13 January. 

It’s January and I’m guessing anyone wants nothing more than to stay home in bed all snuggly and warm. If that’s the case, take the opportunity to try your luck and spoil yourself by entering our competition to win a weekend away in Wales.

Here’s an excerpt:

With Sheepskin you can enjoy sumptuously comfortable places that blend contemporary style with rustic charm. Relax in private spaces that give you freedom to do what you want when you want, a true antidote to city life but also home from home.

Read the rest on nottinghillgate.co.uk.

Originally seen on kingsroad.co.uk - posted on 13 January. 

Those stuck in the morning commute caused by the closure of the Hammersmith Flyover can breathe a brief sigh of relief as it partially reopens to traffic.

Here’s an excerpt:

The re-opening comes following confirmation from Transport for London’s (TfL) engineers and experts that the flyover is now safe to take light traffic, while work by TfL continues to strengthen key sections of the road….

Read the rest on kingsroad.co.uk.

Originally seen on kingsroad.co.uk - posted on 5 January. 

Christmas is finally over and the new year has begun and the main signifier of the start of the new year is not the fireworks or the rising of public transport fares, but the chucking of that messy, withering Christmas tree*. If you’re unsure where to dump the prickly health-hazard, you know where to find the link: below.

Here’s an excerpt:

So if you’re having trouble finding a place to dispose your tree, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) has set-up its Christmas tree recyling scheme

*If you have a artificial tree, leave this page and take a look at my Flickr page instead.

Read the rest on kingsroad.co.uk.

Originally seen on kingsroad.co.uk - posted on 4 January. 

What better way to kick off 2012 than to offer you the chance to win a free one year membership – usually £400 – to Beaufort House, an exclusive club for the affluent located on the King’s Road, Chelsea. It is a favourite with many locals, footballers and celebrities (yes, it includes the Made In Chelsea cast). So why not take the chance?

Please do take the chance for my sake. I can’t enter for obvious reasons *sad face*.

Here’s an excerpt:

Spread across three floors, each bar has its own atmosphere to suit your mood. There’s the stunning champagne penthouse, the members’ bar and restaurant, and the club room that can be used for private dining, screenings, presentations and meetings.

Read the rest on kingsroad.co.uk.

The park – known locally as Pineapple Park – now boasts a tiger climbing frame with cargo net, a large slide, stepping stones on one of its hills, a sand pit and board walk to ensure an exciting and fun area for children.

Students and young people from Langford Primary School, Sands End Adventure Project and Bridge Academy helped to design the features of the park along with the local authorities and residents.

Cabinet member for residents’ services, Councillor Greg Smith, said: “Despite being one of the smallest borough’s in the country, Hammersmith & Fulham is home to over 50 parks and open spaces. We are delighted to have worked with Groundwork London on William Parnell Park and are sure that users of the park will be delighted with the new facilities.”

The brilliant folks at Bikeminded are certainly in a festive mood this December as they reveal their Christmas advent calendar on their website for readers got a special festive surprise for readers to win everyday over the Christmas period.

All you have to do is visit bikeminded.org and see the advent calendar pop up. Click on the current date and see what you have to do to win a one-of-a-kind present from the folks of Kensington and Chelsea. People have already won themselves a snazzy bike cover and exquisite macarons from Belgravia’s Pierre Herme – who knows what you’ll win tomorrow? Just be sure to enter everyday!

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Councillor, Paget-Brown, encouraged cycling over the holidays and added: “We want all cyclists in the borough to have a safe festive season, and hopefully our top tips will help them to just that. We want to encourage more local residents to get on their bikes this festive season; to beat the traffic when doing their Christmas shopping, as well as to help burn off some calories from festive over-indulgence.

“Cycling is a great way to boost your well-being, improve the local environment and a fast, efficient and cost-effective way of getting around the borough. So whether you’re off to a carol service, doing your last minute shopping, taking presents to a friend, we want you to cycle there!”

With the Olympics on the horizon next year, be sure to keep your eyes  peeled on Bikeminded in the 2012!

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Bikeminded is a 3 year cycling initiative that is raising awareness about the benefits of cycling and encourage more people to swap four wheels for two. Follow the hashtag, #bikeminded, to follow the campaign and other Bike Heroes.

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Originally seen on nottinghillgate.co.uk - posted on 06 December. Written by Courtney Beard.

Whilst King’s Road chats with Gina Conway, Notting Hill gets a conversation going with Karen Scofield, creator of luxury brand Lucza.

Here’s an excerpt:

Well, when I was in New York City I worked for US Open and the NFL in television production as well as special events.  I came to London and began working for Comic Relief which translated to RED which Bono (U2 front man) started to raise global funds to fight aids.

Read the rest on nottinghillgate.co.uk.

Originally seen on kingsroad.co.uk - posted on 13 December. 

Ms. Gina Conway, owner of local salon named after, tells us about her best hangouts on the KR on My King’s Road.

Here’s an excerpt:

Where would you tell a shopper to go on King’s Road?

I would encourage shoppers to use the whole King’s Road. Take the day.

Read the rest on kingsroad.co.uk.

Originally seen on kingsroad.co.uk - posted on 11 December. By Peter Holland

Sloane Square’s Royal Court Court Theatre brings you another winning production called Jumpy.

Here’s an excerpt:

Written by April De Angelis, this humorous play of two acts follows the life of a fifty something lady called Hilary (Tamsin Greig) as she reaches breaking point with an unruly sixteen year old daughter and a marriage which is a little stale.

Read the rest on kingsroad.co.uk.

You can follow my day to day cycling activities on my bike blog, beingbikeminded.tumblr.com

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OUT FOR A SPIN

Hello, hello and hello there and thanks for reading my Being Bikeminded despite the lack of posts. Just the one announcement before I recount my cycling tales: Being Bikeminded posts will be moved to a monthly feature until the end of my first academic year of uni. Quite annoyed since I enjoy the weekly posts but I guess I needed to sacrifice something so I can attempt to balance my life out.

So yes with that out of the way, there hasn’t been any change of destinations for me and my bike. However, the surroundings and atmosphere has changed. Portobello Road, King’s Road, Oxford Street, Fulham Broadway, Hyde Park: all these places have been given the Christmas makeover. Christmas trees, lights, ornaments have been scattered across the city whilst restaurants and stores have started to spin their Christmas playlists.

And now has never been a better time to get on your bike, bring out the camera and see the sights. With those nifty lights Bikeminded gave me, I too, looked like a glowing ornament that wouldn’t look out of place on a Christmas tree.

Also seeing the mix of traffic and festive lights, for example, while cycling make it seem like you’re in some psychedelic happy-land or travelling on the Millennium Falcon going into hyperspace.

Of course the one draw back about cycling at this time of year is that you carry more weight in order to keep yourself warm from the biting temperatures. Ok, so those biting temperatures haven’t arrived but when they do come, do make sure to get the correct gear which I’ll get to in a tick.

A word of advise: don’t actually taken any hallucinogens.

Stay safe, stay warm and keep cycling!

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FEATURED PIC FROM BEINGBIKEMINDED.TUMBLR.COM

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#CYCLINGONTWITTER

Preparing for the Tweed Run with @jackal420 instagr.am/p/V8f78/—
Bikeminded (@BikemindedRBKC) November 26, 2011

I'd like to remind all of London's cyclists, commuting is not an extreme sport, it's not a race, there's no need to ride like an idiot—
Paul James (@pauljames) November 25, 2011

Nothing like a bit of irony to kick start your day, @BikemindedRBKC guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/g…—
Nielsen Cerbolles (@_Nielsen) November 26, 2011

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ON BIKEMINDED.ORG: DRESSING FOR THE COLD AND RAIN

Just because its been the mildest November since records began doesn’t mean the cold and rain (and snow!) won’t arriving to buffet and subdue us back into the tempting safety and warmth of our beds. When they do come, clothing will be an important factor: is it waterproof? Will it hinder my movement? Do I look like a hideous ogre in this raincoat? Bikeminded have kindly posted some tips that could potentially save your arse, look and feel graceful and keep you safe this season.

Want a tip from me?  FirstlyWear your pyjamas underneath*. My word…the warmth I feel. Secondly, keep all electronics in your bag, not in your pocket. My friend Robbin, who accompanied me on this year’s London Skyride, nearly broke his iPhone’s speakers.

Correction: I nearly broke his iPhone’s speakers.

Finally, don’t forget your lights. It’s against the law to cycle in the evening without any lights. Red lights at the back, white lights at the front.

*Not recommended for all. May not work if you want some freedom in the general leg and groin area.

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Like always, you can follow all my cycling shenanigans on Tumblr, beingbikeminded.

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For my previous entry, click here

Bikeminded is a 3 year cycling initiative that is raising awareness about the benefits of cycling and encourage more people to swap four wheels for two. Follow the hashtag, #bikeminded, to follow the campaign and other Bike Heroes.

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