felt-tip

Thanks both. It will be for our honeymoon so want it to be perfect.

does anyone know somewhere that would be good to get a self-catering apartment late summer from where we could launch some easy but scenic rambles (will have a baby on my back)...? Thanks

phil king - they come and they go

Mr Twirly - check out your route on http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11598.aspx as this will show you the quietest routes.

I am still umming and aahhhing TBH. I'm tempted to throw some upgrades on my current steed.

MrTwirly. I AM disappointed! Come on, it's lovely outside. Get a-peddaling!

Ladymuck - your reasoning is impeccable, my credit card balance is nil, the skies are blue and 'bout now has painted a beautiful picture of the dawn stags on Richmond Park which can only be augmented with the sight of me cruising past on a custom built steel tourer... I will report back.

are you selling that oilworker? I never considered building my own. Alas, Im a bit too tall. I ride a 61cm frame.

Just over ?2000... BUT the savings on rent would be negated (to an extent) on either a season ticket or a shiny new bike. My inner turmoil on this point is at stratospheric levels. Maybe I should do it a few times on my existing bike and then assess whether I enjoy it enough to want to do it enough to justify forking out on something like this.... http://www.ifbikes.com/OurBikes/Road/Steel_Club_Racer_/

I can't really justify it... the whole reason behind moving is to save ?500 a month on rent towards a deposit on a house. I can't go and then spaff ?1500 on a lovely new tourer... especially as I now know there are other FGSS riders doing similar treks into town. But if you see someone with tears in their eyes screaming "'bout now, you lying toad" riding an old SS up Sawyers Hill... you know who it is.

I've just sold my geared bike! Are you telling me I have to go to Condor this lunchtime and put a deposit down on a Gran Fondo tourer... oh, okay, you've twisted my arm.

Thanks all. Yes I have a vespa also so can mix it up. Thanks for the route tip 'bout now. I reckon I'll do the same and just get to Kingston Gate by going up past the Moseley reservoirs and then through Hampton Court Park. Im really excited about it now! Riding in today just up through Greendale was lovely with the dew steaming off the playing fields and the blue skies overhead. How long did that take you by the way? Which way did you go through RP. I ride SS so want to avoid any big hills.

and I wont do it every day!

I reckon an hour and fifteen once I have my fitness up! Most of it is on very quiet roads and through parks so wont hit traffic until Putney.

We are leaving East Dulwich and moving to Walton-on-thames in 3 weeks. Is that a do-able commute (to Bloomsbury) on a bike? TFL cycle planner says 33km. My current commute is 11km. Yikes! Does anyone else have very long cycle commutes?