Abi gets a new bike - part 1

Abigail Smith is just one of hundreds of people getting back in the saddle in Bristol every week. Abi recently took the plunge and bought a new bike. She talks us through the steps she went through…

"It was late June when I finally decided that I’d get a new bike. I was totally fed up of being sneezed over on morning bus rides and I wanted to save money. Plus, I thought, a little regular exercise couldn’t harm.

"I worked out that:

• I could save £72.50 a month on bus fares
• I’d be fitter by cycling from Longwell Green to work and back every day
• I’d reduce the chance of catching a cold from the 'sneezers' on the bus

"I had a £200 rainy day fund put aside for such lavish purchases, but I had no clue where to start. My last bike was an Apollo Atomic (see right) bought for £99 from Halfords in 1991 – it’s fair to say I was a little out of touch!

"I started to re-associate myself with the range of bikes now available. I looked online, read the Get Cycling guide, browsed magazines in newsagents and stared a lot at bikes in the street, becoming a bit of a bike stalker in the process!

"Things really had changed since 1991. I thought it was a straightforward decision between a mountain bike and a road bike. There are now hybrid bikes, folding bikes, single speed bikes, electric bikes, city bikes and touring bikes. 'This is going to be so hard,' I thought. I’m someone who finds it hard to even choose what breakfast cereal to eat in the morning!"

Part 2 continues tomorrow...

If you're looking for a new bike and are not sure what's best for you check out the pages under Get Cycling.