As you can see from the dates this wasn’t the length of time I had imagined it would take to acquire the bike. Things started well with a visit to Hy-Pro, my brother’s place of week, where I spoke to the boss, Atul. He was very supportive and offered to help me with the ride. Hy-Pro produces some fantastic sports merchandise and has an array of biking products. Once again, their support has been amazing and I appreciate the help I’ve been given.

It was great to see my university friends and catch up with my mates in Bedford, the place where I had the pleasure of growing up, and share our news with each other. My friends kindly welcomed me into their houses and let me stay with them as I carried out my bike mission. My research and brother’s assistance led me to Giant bikes. They are a renowned bike manufacturer with a fleet of bikes to choose from. I met Matt who showed my around the store while we discussed my plans. He was surprised by my trip but thought it was a great idea. I sat on a static bike as we tried to work out what type of bike would suit me best. This is where Rob entered the fray. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of bikes so his advice was invaluable. We decided I needed to see physiotherapist first before they could give me a bike. The waiting game begins.

My fitness and strength is still questionable. I decided it would be a good idea to see a personal trainer. I met Emma at Next Gen gym in Potters Bar. I didn’t really know what to expect apart from I’d be feeling it the next morning. Emma was brilliant and guided me through loads of different exercises, weights, lifts and presses. I certainly was feeling it but invigorated by the idea of increasing my strength, which at the moment, is lacking!

My stay in London was approaching its fourth week and I still hadn’t met with the physio. Luckily, I had an appointment pencilled in for a medical assessment. I met Holly at the Giant store and she gave me the green light to get the bike. She advised me to get a bike that was comfortable and easy for me to get out of the saddle to pedal. A racing bike would be a nightmare so a customised one would be best. Higher handlebars, wider pedals, a range of handlebar grips and a comfortable saddle would be needed. I returned this next day to try out lots of different bikes. It didn’t take long to narrow it down. We chose a large framed bike that was easy to pedal out of the saddle. I was happy to pick the bike and couldn’t wait for it to be delivered. I was going back to Cornwall the next day so I feeling excited about picking up where I left off.