Thanks for all the advice. I out checked the local shops and had a word with a few of the cyclits at work to see which they recommended.

I ended up getting an aluminium framed Giant boulder, upgrading the tires to vredestin semi-slick spiders, adding guards, lights, a rear rack and a little cycle computer that tells me I'm doing little more than my walking pace... I got a good deal on the bike and It should do me toget started on at least.

The one think I forgot was a pair of training wheels....

Richard