Now for something completely different...
I've taken the plunge and finally decided to buy a bike - it took me a while to bite the bullet and invest seriously precious and scarce funds into two-wheeled transport but I think, in the end, I made a good decision and hopefully time will prove I am better with two wheels than without.
I already owned a bike - a very comfortable town bike. Great for bumbling along on the flat... no good at all if I had to cycle up even the slightest gradient. It only had three gears.. the lowest of which was the only gear I could use to pedal - I either needed more gears or I would have move to Holland if I wanted to continue to use my old faithful Raleigh.
The new model is a Trex (21 gear) T30. It has a bit of an 'old lady' image... but it's great and, so far, I love it. I'm taking it easy at the moment ... familiarizing my old and almost non-existent muscles slowly and gently to the unfamiliar activity of pushing pedals - just a little bit further than they have for many a year.
It's comforting to know the bike is close at hand... that if I need to get to the other side of town I can, without the need of buses, taxis or lifts from friends - so it does provide some small measure of independence. It'll probably be used mainly for gentle rides, just for the joy of it... for fresh air and exercise... to enjoy the sounds of smells of outdoors, riding along quiet cycle tracks and byways close to home. But, who knows, in time I might venture a little further afield - with picnic and camera to see what's 'out there'.
I've got the gear... a new cycle helmet, light-weight waterproof and sensible shoes although I've yet to consider lights, back and front and, more importantly, some hi-viz accessories to ensure I can be seen by other road users - safety first..!
When I'm out and about I'll take some photographs and report any exciting/interesting finds or sightings. Hopefully I'll have some great foraging trips seeking out fruit, nuts and fungus.... and who knows - I might come across an elusive woodpecker, kingfisher, fox, hare or deer...
Pictures to follow... wish me luck !
I've taken the plunge and finally decided to buy a bike - it took me a while to bite the bullet and invest seriously precious and scarce funds into two-wheeled transport but I think, in the end, I made a good decision and hopefully time will prove I am better with two wheels than without.
I already owned a bike - a very comfortable town bike. Great for bumbling along on the flat... no good at all if I had to cycle up even the slightest gradient. It only had three gears.. the lowest of which was the only gear I could use to pedal - I either needed more gears or I would have move to Holland if I wanted to continue to use my old faithful Raleigh.
The new model is a Trex (21 gear) T30. It has a bit of an 'old lady' image... but it's great and, so far, I love it. I'm taking it easy at the moment ... familiarizing my old and almost non-existent muscles slowly and gently to the unfamiliar activity of pushing pedals - just a little bit further than they have for many a year.
It's comforting to know the bike is close at hand... that if I need to get to the other side of town I can, without the need of buses, taxis or lifts from friends - so it does provide some small measure of independence. It'll probably be used mainly for gentle rides, just for the joy of it... for fresh air and exercise... to enjoy the sounds of smells of outdoors, riding along quiet cycle tracks and byways close to home. But, who knows, in time I might venture a little further afield - with picnic and camera to see what's 'out there'.
I've got the gear... a new cycle helmet, light-weight waterproof and sensible shoes although I've yet to consider lights, back and front and, more importantly, some hi-viz accessories to ensure I can be seen by other road users - safety first..!
When I'm out and about I'll take some photographs and report any exciting/interesting finds or sightings. Hopefully I'll have some great foraging trips seeking out fruit, nuts and fungus.... and who knows - I might come across an elusive woodpecker, kingfisher, fox, hare or deer...
Pictures to follow... wish me luck !
