Finding a Bike

One of the conditions I set myself on this adventure was a very strict budget. I figured I could complete the entire challenge with an outlay of no more than £1000. That was for everything, registration on the event, clothing, bike, travel, equipment. Some experienced riders might scoff at such a small budget and could probably spend that on wheels alone but I had no idea if this was going to be a successful project or not and couldn't justify any more.

A quick bit of research suggested that a more relaxed geometry bike might be more suitable, something called a Sportive bike. A quick Google brought up some interesting info, including this useful sportive buyers guide but it quickly became clear that my budget would have some consequences. Full carbon was certainly out, as was anything beyond bottom of the line bikes. Even working through eBay came up with various well used examples from Trek, Cannondale and Giant which would stretch the budget.

And then, in one of those rare but beautiful eBay moments when an item nobody else has discovered meets your budget and desires, I found my bike. With no bids at all was a Genesis Aether 20. A quick review showed it to be a solid entry level sportive style bike from a British manufacturer probably worth around £1000 new and ridden less than 100 miles in 3 years. A cheeky last minute minimum offer and it was mine for £350.

Collection arranged I headed around to pick up my new bike. The owner wasn't in but his wife seemed all too happy to get the bike out of the hallway. The tires were flat and dust had settled all over the chain but it was otherwise in perfect condition. I carefully drove it home, stripped off the rack and mudguards, pumped up the tires and took it for a ride.

I didn't have the proper shoes so I just balanced on the clipless pedals, wobbling along with the all too narrow handlebars and impossibly thin tires. I hit a straight stretch, cautiously lowered myself down onto the drops and there it was again... that amazing feeling of riding on the wind. The image of my old orange racing bike came flooding back and I cranked through the gears, thighs burning, eyes streaming. I can't remember when I named my bike Jenny, but I was certain from that point on that we were going to be friends.