£300 set budget for a new bike - suggestions?

[Dogtrousers]

Another way of varying your cycling is to chuck yourself and your bike on a train for a few stops and then ride home.

Living in suburban London I do the opposite. I do the grim London exit riding early in the morning, and rode to a station somewhere and get the train home. Saves slogging through the burbs in a state of exhaustion.

 

[Webbo2]

Or move somewhere nice where you can do a nice ride out and different nice ride back.

 

[biggs682]

Evening.

I see I have become a butt of all jokes but it won’t stop me from working towards my goal. You are all welcome to criticise me (constructive or destructive). I understand everyone is wanting me to be careful of what I’m trying to do so, I will make it clear for those who think I’m being silly or unreasonable.

1) I want to get back to cycling to become reasonably fit (96.6 kilograms at present).

2) I have two long term goals - Dragon ride & London Brighton BHF - both in June 2026. Gives me 8 months to work on my weight and become 25% bike fit, hopefully. I do plan to do some flat rides of similar distances closer to the events (a month or two in advance).

3) The mountain bike or Apollo Twister was loaned to me by a mate. I ain’t doing anything other than Basildon to Southend on that every single day. I will upgrade to a gravel bike by April. Apollo Twister is for the time being and gives me that much needed start, otherwise I would just be procrastinating.

4) My goals are ambitious. I know that very well, but without a goal, I won’t be able to work myself towards it. I never once mentioned that I will complete the challenges. I have always maintained if I work towards the 300 KM challenge, I can maybe finish the 90 km challenge. I only want to get fit so I can give it my absolute best. The challenges just act as motivators. I will not give up even if I finish dead last or have to push my bike to / over the finish line.

5) I will be working on Watt bike‘s climbing sections from next month. I know it is not similar to real world conditions but thats the only way I can try doing some steep inclines & that’s all they have in the local gym. Twice a week on the hilly sections.

I have learnt a lot from this forum & I thank everyone for the encouraging words. I will be updating this whenever I have made any progress.

All i can say is good luck in achieving your long term goals.

As for finding a suitable bike under £300 , i feel that is an easy task , i recently paid an awful lot less than that for a Trek 2.1 road bike thats close to 20 years old and had a fairly hard life , after a bit of gentle recomissioning it has now completed 100 miles so far this week and hasn't missed a beat so 2nd hand is the way to go for sure and good luck in finding something .

Shame you are not local to Northamptonshire as i would quite happily lend you the above Trek to get some practice miles in