Back in December 2007 I tried a bit of cycle commuting on a borrowed mountain bike. I stopped when I realised that it wasn’t really saving me any money, and because I thought I was about to move to a job closer to home, whereupon I would start again. Sadly, the job never materialised, and I never started up cycling again, despite having done over 200 miles at that point.
Fast-forward to 2009, where I got 2 offers – a new job at Central and a new (to me) bike via an online friend. He had been given an old 10-speed road-bike, but wasn’t allowed by his wife to keep it, so I said I would take it.
I took delivery of an old Peugeot Carbolite 103 (actually the name of the frame, the model is an obscure number on a sticker near the bottom bracket that is a bit torn 
) in November, but sadly there is no such thing as a free bike. New tyres were a good start, but when I went for my first serious test ride, the chain broke. A new chain then enabled me to see that the saddle was woefully uncomfortable, so a new saddle arrived for Christmas. I’m still in need of some mud guards, and I suspect a rack at some point, and some additional cycling clothes, etc, etc, etc. You get the picture 
Me collecting the bike:
A few alterations later:
Of course, then there are the alterations that need doing. The brakes are shoddy and need a bit more work, if not replacing. The brake levers have been moved, but need moved a lot more to make the drops anything more than decoration. I have bar tape to fit (matching the saddle…). Plus it now needs a good clean and oiling.
However, I’ve done 100 miles in January, having ridden every work day, and I intend to ride at least 200 work days in 2010, which would be about 1000 miles of cycling. It will also save me in the region of £400, although I would need to minus expenses off that…… now – where’s that cycling mag….
mrBen
MrBen
You going to be up for the Pedal for Scotland ride in September?
It’s a definite possibility. I’d like to do some slightly longer rides if I get the time, and that’s definitely been in my mind.
You’re in the right place for getting bikes sorted out, and you’ve got a really decent ride to work. Not sure how good drop bars would be for a commuter bike though.
Sadly the bike repair place in the lane has closed
Contrary to popular opinion, drops aren’t just for aerodynamic racing types – most touring bikes have drops because they allow for a variety of different hand and body positions to alleviate muscle stiffness. Setup will be slightly different from someone racing, of course.