Free things to do this weekend ft. Bike Friday, First Chop Brewing Arm + Levy Market

Apparently it’s not really winter anymore. Apparently. It’s hard to tell, what with Baltic temperatures and even snow in some places, but in the spirit of Spring we’ve got some free outdoorsy things for you to do this weekend – as well as a piss-up in a brewery if things are still a bit too chilly for you.

Bike Friday rides across the city
Love Your Bike and Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign are urging the people of Manchester to dust off their bikes this week for Bike Friday, offering sociable commutes to work – or whatever your city centre engagement involves – as we welcome the milder climes and brighter mornings of spring. The rides start at various locations but all finish in the Northern Quarter’s Stevenson’s Square, where cyclists will be able to make use of free bike maintenance checks with RevolveMcr’s Dave Trainor, before heading to the Eastern Bloc Café for a hot bev and a well-earned slice of cake. The event is aimed at cyclists of all skill levels, so click here to find your route.
Fri 28 Mar, Various start points, ending in Stevenson Square, 8am – 8.45am, FREE, www.manchesterfoe.org.uk

Brewery Social at First Chop
This Saturday First Chop Brewing Arm combines two of the greatest things in life, beer and music, before adding the cherry on top with a ping pong contest and more. The Salford brewery has recently been making a bit of a name for itself as a music venue, but this week looks set to confirm such a rep with a bit of a corker. Not only can you expect ping pong, food from Dirty Dogs, DJs Ricky Number and Gof Wowie Zowie, and a beer clash with Summer Wine Brewery, but there’s also a top secret special guest to be announced for the musical lineup via Twitter on Friday. Read our full preview here.
Sat 29 Mar, First Chop Brewing Arm Brewery Social, First Chop Brewing Arm, Unit 3 Trinity Row, Trinity Way, Salford, M3 5EN, 2pm – 1am, FREE, www.facebook.com

Levy Market’s ‘best of the best’
We recently revealed that Levenshulme Market was to go weekly this weekend, with different themes for each Sunday of the month. As the first of their regular fixtures, this week’s market is likely to be quite the hit, kicking off with a showcase of the best that Levy Market has to offer. Expect a whole host of familiar and well-loved names including freshly baked bread from Trove, Manchester’s best ice cream from Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, plants from Bud Garden Centre (pictured) and award-winning sausages from Bobby’s Bangers, as well as various other stalls in food, drink, crafts and more from Manchester’s trading elite. Read our full preview here.
Sat 29 Mar, shopper’s car park (next to Levenshulme station), M19 3PJ. 10am – 4pm, FREE, www.levymarket.com