Despite not getting the job I interviewed for the other day, I have decided that I want to get back into cycling (hopefully including a commute once I get a new job). The reasons for this are many, but not least:
- Playing football once a week isn’t really getting me any fitter or thinner, although I do enjoy it
- Playing football more than once a week isn’t financially viable, nor do I have the time for it, nor enough friends to play with
- I _don’t_ like running
- I _do_ like cycling
Once upon a time I rode everywhere. I even did some touring with my Dad – I think the most we ever managed was about 110 miles in a day – on my old 3-speed hand-me-down. But I haven’t ridden a bike in anger for 10 years now – my old mountain bike is rusting away in a friends garage, and I suspect will need more than a little cash spent on it to make it roadworthy. Plus, it was always a bit big for me, and gave me back ache on longer rides. So I may need to splash out on some new wheels – most likely a decent 2nd-hand touring bike (similar to a road bike).
However, if any of the local moosers happens to have an old road bike that’s in decent nick that they wouldn’t mind lending me, and will fit a 5’11″ bloke with a beer belly, then let me know.
mrBen
In the event that you need to go out and buy one, Gordon recommended Common Wheel to me. Charlotte is about to get a bicycle, and we’re going to head along there. They are a local charity working with people with mental illness, and will sort you out with a refurbished bike set up specifically for you.
There’s also Bike Booty, just off Argyle Street (down the lane that Xalior works ^W^W^W where Xalior works. That’s run by a couple of cycle couriers who have a workshop and various bits.