jonjarrold.co.uk

I’m going to ditch the bus pass and get myself a bike! I decided this last night whilst discussing the pros and cons with my brother on the phone. I miss having a bike. You may recall an earlier post about my close encounter with a vehicle’s bonet whilst riding my bike. Well, ever since that day I’ve been without one, and it’s time to put that right!

My 28 day bus pass currently costs me ¬£34 when I buy it online. There are 365 days in a year. It’s likely to cost me in the region of ¬£440 per year if I carry on this way. Alternatively I could buy an annual pass pass for ¬£358, I think it is. That’s a pretty good saving on my current 28 day payments, but that’s a big chunk of money to leave my account in one go on a service which is…lets face it…pretty pooh!

A pretty decent bike can be had for around ¬£350. I think that’s how much my last bike cost me. It ended up costing more with all the accidents and thefts I had, but I can deal with them when they (don’t) happen! Now, this could be another huge chunk of money departing from my ever-empty bank account. But, there are 0% finance deals out there. It’s an option. In any case, at least after 12 months I’ll still have a bike to show for my lack of money instead of a boring bus pass. I could sell my bike after a year and make a bit back on it, making it an even more economically sound!

It’s a great idea. I might not think it’s such a great idea when it’s pouring down with rain or the roads are covered in snow, but it’s still a great idea! I’ll be saving money. I’ll have more freedom. I’ll get my fitness back on track. I’ll get to work on time and feel more awake first thing. It’s a great idea!

Now I have to decide my exact budget and then what I want out of this bike. Do I just want to use it for my daily two and a bit mile commute? Will I be off-roading it in Sherwood Forest? Will I be folding it up to stick on a train? Will my old mud-guards fit? What about cycling clothes to get to and from work? There are lots of questions and decision to make. Any advice would be welcome, but seeing as nobody seems to come to this website, I think I’m on my own!