The bikes that they were on were free hire bikes from the leisure centre (just over the hill from where you started) - Ridgeback(?) hybrids. Do the job without any thrills.
On the subject of race and sex, that's the thing about our rides (as some might be tired of hearing me say on another forum) - they aren't done through a trad cycling club, but rather through the council leisure and health services and run by leaders from the community, many of whom don't really see themselves as serious cyclists (even if they are becoming so). It's not uncommon for us to have a general 'open' ride where all of the riders (except leaders*) are black or Asian females. Indeed, women tend to out number the men on most rides, ditto our free learn to ride sessions and free mechanics courses. On this particular ride I think that we had about 60% women, probably around 30% ethnic minority, and about 30% children.....note that some of these groups over lap. Also, all but three of the riders were new to the project.
If you compare that to the local cycling clubs, even the CTC which is often seen as the most welcoming for newcomers, doesn't come near in terms of ethnic minorities or women.
Anyway, if you'd like to find out more:
http://bikenorth.birmingham.gov.uk/*We are trying to recruit more ride leaders from groups normally under represented in cycling but it's hard work.
