This week, becoming a lady in lycra, why Epicures is the Jekyll and Hyde of the West and sofa, so good at The Grosvenor!

Cycletta

The keenly spotted MAMIL (middle-aged man in lycra, who rides a two-wheeler, rather than a classic old car or, perhaps, a younger model) has been streets ahead of the ladies when it comes to road biking. But, in the last wee while, women's cycling has kicked up a gear. Last year, more than 7,000 lassies took part in Cycletta's - women only races - around the UK. This year, I was one of them.

On Sunday, I took part in the Scottish leg - and when I say leg, I'm thinking of a Chris Hoy-like thigh. I know many folk in Glasgow were running around taking part in the Great Scottish Run but, never one to follow the pack, I decided to take part in the Scone Cycletta for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It was the first time I had been in a cycle race and I was a wee bit nervous. Especially because, being new to road-biking, I am covered in bruises from forgetting to take my feet out of the clip-in pedals! Quite the athlete, aren't I? Talking of athletes, joining me and the other ladies in lycra were Scottish Cycling star Charlene Joiner and Slalom Skier Charlie Guest, who both smashed their 100K and 70K races respectfully. Despite my inability to stop - or perhaps because of it - I managed to come first in the Classic 40K Race. I have to tell you, no one was more surprised than me!

I celebrated with a big slice of cake…not such a good idea, perhaps, if I'm going to take on the mamils and become a fully fledged lady in lycra (LIL)!

Epicures of Hyndland

I've often walked past Epicures of Hyndland and thought, now that looks like a lovely place to eat, drink and merrily watch the world go by. It's a beautiful light, airy restaurant with a touch of brass and class. However, the reviews online are hot and cold. So polarised are people's opinions, it almost seems like Epicures is the Jekyll and Hyde of the West.

An Epicure is meant to be a person with impeccably refined taste for food and wine. So, what did me and my good-taste buddies (pictured) think when we popped in for a bite and blether? Well, to be honest, things didn't really get off to an epicurean start. I ordered the Oriental Shredded Beef Tagliatelle. It was fine, if not special, and a little on the bland side. My friend's meals, Sea Bass, Steak Hache (a burger to you and me) and an Ayrshire Pork Chop, all passed muster.

The waiting staff were friendly, efficient and apologetic about the holes in the menu. They had run out of carrots, which for some reason, the boys were devastated about! It was made up for in beer, though, and certainly I think Epicures is a lovely place for a drink or perhaps a morning coffee, but the restaurant might need to do a little refining of its tastes to honestly call itself Epicures.

The Grosvenor Cinema

The Grosvenor Cinema is close to celebrating a century of taking Glasgow to the pictures. It opened way back in 1921, on the old site of Henderson's Funeral Parlour, so it was the ideal place for me to check out recent murder mystery, Gone Girl, which has been thrilling audiences around the world.

The Grosvenor is one of my favourite places to make a date with a movie. Like it's films, the building has tonnes of character. Although many of the original features have been lost, it remains quirky and intimate. It also has something that most other cinemas do not - just the ticket if you're feeling particularly lazy - sofas! You can also take drinks (actual drinks, not buckets of fizzy pop) in from the bar. Wine and chocolate popcorn: now there's a 'classic combo'! It is a little bit on the expensive side, but in keeping with it's history, The Grosvenor takes movie-going back to when a trip to the flicks was an experience and a treat, not a multicoloured rammy of bright lights and stale popcorn. *Oh and as for Gone Girl, I'd say go!

Wee Bird Recommends

Don't be a silly sausage and make sure to get your tickets for next week's Oktoberfest at Glasgow Green (October 16 to 19). It's a celebration of all things Bavarian and some of Wee Birds favourite things: beer, bratwurst and lederhosen! Yodelayheehoo-ray!