Ally, when I was a lad I used to cycle everywhere... up the Dales, round town, and to the coast.
In the year he died my dad he bought me a Claude Butler frame, Rossignol gears, chainwheel and chainset, Milremo handlebars, pedals etc and a Brooks saddle that was like sitting on a carving knife.
We built the bike in the front room on my birthday and I rode it every day thereafter, every single day.
I once got stopped by the police for having no lights and speeding! The cops followed me home and told dad.
"Do you mind if I handle this?" he said.
"No." said plod.
Dad took his belt off and shook it in front of my face: "If you ever.... do you understand?" I understood.
Those were the days. Enjoy the ride, Ally, there's too much traffic over here to do it safely in many places nowadays.
