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…

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"A week later and the Trek had arrived but the Vita was delayed – which was typical as that was the one I really wanted.

"Any how, I wheeled the Trek out the store and wobbled off on a test ride towards the BRI hospital. I hadn’t realised the difference between a heavy old mountain bike and this new bike with thin tyres. The bike felt so light and delicate – yet much nippier and easier to ride.

"On the downside, the pedal position seemed unusual to me. I felt like the pedals were underneath me too much and I couldn’t pedal with the full extension of my legs. As nice as the bike was, I thought wait until I’d ridden the Specialized before I made a decision.

"In the mean time I’d been trying to decide where my new ‘baby’ would live. The cupboard under the stairs seemed perfect to me, although my partner said “categorically no” to that idea. Clearly a compromise wasn't going to come easily. I'd have put a Sheffield stand in the kitchen if I had my way…

"Anyway, the 20th August came –  V-Day, the day my Vita arrived! I wandered down to Evans in a very excited and fairly nervous way.

"I was sold pretty much as soon as I saw it. Just to confirm my decision I took it for a test ride around the city centre streets and found it even nicer than Trek. The pedal position was more to my liking and it looked even nicer – which I’m told makes you ride at least 5% faster!

"Before I knew it I was picking out accessories, handing over my credit card and asking for my 10% CTC discount.

"I walked out of the shop with my new pride and joy and felt a slight panic as I passed my old bus stop and realised that I would, from this moment on, be commuting by bike.

"Back at work I really didn’t like leaving my bike in the bike sheds. Is this how a mother feels dropping her child off at school for the first time? I felt so protective of it, even with its £40 D-lock around the frame and wheels, but it’s something I need to get used to because now I’m a bike rider once more – and it feels great!"