Have you, like me, noticed a recent increase in joggers pounding the pavements in your town?

I have a hunch that these red-faced jogging types are perhaps feeling the pinch of the recession, ditching the sweaty confines of their excessively expensive gyms in favour of street bashing.   Yuk! 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all in favour of people exercising, and indeed I used to be one of them until my knees screamed ‘enough!’ and my vanity took umbrage.

Then I re-discovered cycling.   Slow cycling in style!   And even when I outpace these pavement pounders in my polka dot dress at a cool 12 km per hour, I’m not even breaking sweat! 

And I smile as I a shout a cheery ‘hello’ but I’m secretly gloating, safe in the knowledge I’m burning more calories per hour than they ever will jiggling their body parts up and down mile after mile.

Cycle Divas No.1 Rule is Style Over Speed.

My polka dot dress is beautiful to ride in.  Teemed with black  heels and matching accessories, it’s a real head turner not to mention totally on trend again for spring/summer 2009.

It’s a my faithful friend that never lets me down when creating movement with pedal power. The softly draping skirt, pegged in the middle to stop it  getting caught in the chain, allows for slow bare leg pedaling allowing cooling airflow to temper any sign of heat.

But if a glimmer of perspiration does start to appear, it’s a sure sign that I’m pedaling too fast so I coast, or maybe stop and admire the beautiful countryside to regain my cycle diva cool, chic composure.

Awesome Tips For Slow Diva Style

1.      Shout your own unique sense of style loud and clear by riding in clothes you love
   

2.      Hills and gradients may be walked!
   

3.      Be a fair weather Cycle Diva.
   

4.      Adopt the slow cycling posture - upright & straight backed.
   

5.      Take a spontaneous detour.
   

6.      Shout a greeting to passers-by.
   

7.      Get in the slip-stream of those whippet-like cyclists clad in day-glow lycra to give you a few meters pull.
   

8.      Get a slow cycle movement sticker for your bike to tell the world you ride in style!
   

9.      For chain disasters, wear those disposable gloves you keep in your pannier and look vexed. You’ll soon    
   

          have a guy stop to do it for you.

1.      Don’t go faster than 12 km per hour unless going down hill. Yippeee!
   

2.      Ensure that some part of your bike creaks gently
   

3.      Don’t fear riding in heels. They’re great for keeping your foot on the pedal for slow rotation.
   

4.      Book a session with one of our Instructors who’ll teach not only to ride safely but stylishly too.
   

And a final Diva tip for those of you that are daunted by riding on busy main roads.

Let me tell you this; cars do slow down when overtaking you.  The reason is simple.  They’re rubber-necks!

So desperate are they to gawp and admire your elegance, style and panache, they slow down for a good old oggle!

In return, give them the eye-ball with a conspiratorial wink!