OK, so now I’ve progressed from owning not one new bike but two – one for the North East where I spend two days a week and the other for home in Kent.

I’ve already blogged on my first bike, a reckless purchase of a Giant Defy3 back in January. Having made sure the cycling bug is here to stay I’ve taken the plunge and bought an Orbea Onix TTG for home. Described by the bloke in the shop as ‘an eyeful of a bike’ this carbon fibre beauty is a peach. As I write this I still haven’t ridden it as it arrived from Epic Cycles, Tetbury yesterday morning. Epic gave me fantastic advice and service, delivering on all their promises.

In the meantime Colin continues to inspire us; he even allowed me to ride with the Darlington Cycle Club on their 38 mile training ride this week. This new bike is built for hills – now to make my legs that way!