Hello from across the pond! I read several cycling forums, but out of all of them, this one seems the most friendly and I really enjoy reading the posts here.
As an old coot (52), I wish I could say I'd ridden for years, but I haven't. This last spring I picked up a beach cruiser type of bike, which was fun and fine for the flat paths, but I slowly started thinking about bike commuting to work, and that cruiser wouldn't work for that. So I picked up a road bike, screwed up the courage and started short distance, then longer rides. It was tough...lol! My commute is 8miles/12 K one way...for someone who hadn't ridden in 30 years the first few times just about killed me...lol. but since then I have dropped 20 lbs. and enjoying it much more.
I also decided I wanted a second bike for winter riding. We have a Raleigh bike store here, and there in the corner, almost unnoticed, sat a 2009 Raleigh One Way SS. Brand new, it had sat in the shop all this time, unloved and unpurchased, couldn't compete here against the newer looking bikes with disc brakes or 21 speeds and it wasn't blackor gun-metal grey(the latest colors) I fell in love, classic lines, dark blue frame, brooks saddle, nice fenders...so they made me a good deal and I bought it. And you know, I enjoy riding this much more than my road bike...makes the commute a little tougher but oh well.
Here, I don't deal with the insane amount of cars and buses that you folks may have...but bike commuting and bike culture is not common here and drivers can be pretty rude at times Most folks only look at biking as something to be done on the weekend and on the bike paths....and what the hell is that bike doing on the shoulder of the road anyway!?
Anyway, I very much enjoy this forum. Hope to make a few good friends here too!
@LordMarv and what a great first post. 
