Bike Forums - Better late...

...Well, in more ways than one. First of all, as I started posting without introducing myself. Naughty. Second, in terms of picking up cycling, which is the main reason I am here.

So, about me: I'm 46, I live in London (originally from Italy), kinda turned my life around since January - quit smoking, quit booze and lost about 15kgs. I am a keen, though not very good, tennis player. Now I am keen to get properly into cycling.

Had my first attempt about 9 years ago, when I bought a Fuji Absolute 1.3 through my cycle to work scheme - loved how quick and responsive the bike was, but it turned out it was a touch too big for me - and maybe the geometry did not really suit me. So after a few attempts, it kinda remained a commuting and going to the shops bike, as I never really bothered selling it and buying a better fit.

This summer I decided I ought to try and get back into it. Knowing my main motivator in life is fun, and as I love hiking, woodlands etc (mostly for mushroom foraging to be honest) I thought buying a front suspension bike might be a good idea, giving me the option to go off road. So I "splashed out" on a Giant Escape 0 - I wanted to treat myself for kicking cigarettes and booze and losing weight. Turns out, I wasn't too keen on the bike's sluggishness and manoeuvrability and to top it off, not went off road once.

Well, ten days ago the bike was stolen, so here I came, mainly looking for buying advice, having decided suspension was out of the window and I needed a more nippy and agile fitness bike... New bike is now on the way (a Merida Speeder 400), so I am now getting ready to really grinding up the gears and eating those miles.

I'll see you around, and great to be part of the community!