My first bike in 1947 was a Hercules. It was built in the 1930s and was passed down to me from my elder brother. It had stirrup brakes operated by rods and bellcranks from the handle bar levers. It was a bit big for me so I could only start and stop if I had a curb next to me to put my foot down.

The first time on a bike that I can remember was on a wooden seat facing backwards on the back of my mother's bike. I was 3 yrs old. We were going on the bridge over the river in Totnes, S Devon and my brother and sister were running along behind.