I have always spent half my life on a bicycle, mainly as a form of transport
Whilst I love going out for a proper ride - most of my journeys were popping to the shops or running errands
I used to be out on my bike 3-4 times a day sometimes
Having Geoffrey Butler cycles round the corner is bad news for the wallet
After my previous bike got written off in a crash I went to them to see what I could replace it with
I ended up having them put me together an Audax bike ( somewhere between a full on road racing bike and a touring bike)
Sad thing is I stopped using it to get in and out of croydon as you just couldn't chain up a bike in Croydon without delinquent teenagers trying to nick it , break it or steal bits off it.
Cycle crime in Croydon had become a bit rife.
But I've put a big insurance on it and got a good lock so will get my arse out on it this summer - i've missed it too much
I actually bought a track bike cheaply which is fun although a bit on the small size for me.
But it is old and beat up and nobody pays it much attention (except vintage cycle buffs) - old Paganini frame & Campag stuff and all that.
My father used to cycle a lot - had an OLD fixed wheel Claud Butler
Used to cycle from Sheffield to London to compete apparently (heard that from my Grandmother, who was shocked when she realised how far away London was)