Thanks chaps, I suppose I need to go back to basics and ask myself the question - what is it you really want ?

Cycling came back to me about two years ago after a 50km charity ride that I did on an old shed of a bike that weighed a ton. Strangely enough I actually enjoyed it, and I guess I had been looking for something that would get me off my backside and out doing a bit of excercise, because 15 years ago when I came out of the army, I was as fit as a butchers dog.

So, one mad day I went down to our local bike shop and spoke to the nice people and told them my story. I was really unclear as to what it was I wanted, but knew that it couldn't cost the earth so I ended up with the Crs3. Great, I loved it and still do, as there is hardly a mark on it even now. I started going out on a Saturday doing a little 10 mile circuit, which was reasonably flat and slowly moved out into areas where there are more hills and the round trip is now about 20 miles. One particular hill I can only climb in bottom gear. So, is different gearing going to make me go faster, well the physics say so, but so what, just means I would get home quicker - do I like going fast down hill? well yes, but it can be scary especially when the road surface is not so good. I do like the sound of closer gearing though, because I find myself constantly up and down gears as the incline or wind changes.

I had the opportunity of a very cheap second hand Scott mountain bike last year so I jumped at it. I love it being out with my two son in laws across the trails of Long Valley Aldershot and up to the top of Ceasars Fort (which is a very long cross country climb).

Sorry, I am waffling on a bit now - I guess I have sort of settled into a routine but mainly use the weekends to be out on the bike for the purpose mainly of excersise, but also of enjoyment.

Yes I would love a road bike, but at 55 and 15 stone plus, I am not exactly Alberto Contador.

Thanks chaps

Ian