So what kind of bicycle to purchase? A bicycle that is comfortable for you while sitting in the saddle, and has plenty of gears to enable you to ride up slopes with general ease – not everyone lives in Cambridge! One ought to also be able to pick up your cycle with relative comfort as you’ll find yourself needing to do so sometimes, for example over a low hurdle. Claud Butler bikes are a good range of bikes to start looking at.

Further more, make sure you have enough accessories for your bike : front and back light, a pump, reflector lights, reflective jacket, mudguards, helmet and strong lock. These will aid you in staying secure in bad light, and the bike safe from thieves. Ensure you lock the bicycle in a somewhat communal area.

Finally, it’s a great idea to commit a bit of time into how to fix your cycle. There’s no need to be a bike repair master, but it’s useful if you can find out how to adjust the brake cables and brake pads as these often need fine-tuning after use. And make sure you keep the cycle well oiled and the tyres pumped up to a reasonable pressure to make it that much easier to actually cycle. And of course, have good road sense – use your arms to indicate when turning, and keep to the left at all times.