Anyone who knows me appreciates that I have three hobbies, cycling, photography and astronomy and wherever possible I try to combine two or more at one time.
Nothing beats going out cycling. Just as I did first thing this morning, with snow on the ground and the moon high in the sky I took my trusty 8x30 Canon binoculars and cycled to a nice lane I know, where I spent a couple of hours of peace.
However, as I have said before you need the right bike, which is why I used my Saracen “tank” heavy and firm on snow with wide good grip tyres "workmdrive by Maxxis", as seen on the "cycling" page.
You don't simply walk into a shop and buy a bike. You wouldn't buy a car simply asking for one that is fast, you test drive, take into account the use and costs etc, the same is true of a bike.
For this reason, and as people know I do not take lightly my recommendations as to do so would reflect badly on the quality of service people have come to expect from this site.
To this end I personally recommend DARTMOOR CYCLES. 6 Parade Business Park, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9DP. 01822 618 178
Having been happy with my Saracen fro years I decided to buy a bike custom built to my needs, and as I have always used Dartmoor cycles for service and spares I had it built there.
I will not say how much it cost but you could buy a used car for the price.
Dartmoore cycles is not a bicycle shop!
The people there are to say the least "into" bikes, they all ride and own thousands of pounds worth of bikes each, some five bikes plus.
You are almost fitted for the bike, and not "sold" a bike but advised on the best one for you, unlike car sales chain shops.
But they are more than that also, it is/was Dartmoor cycles that help founde this.
Visit the site, it says more than I ever can here click the pic.
It does not matter wnat your needs are, from a first bike for your youngster to a full package for yourself, in my honest opinion you will not do better than vivting Dartmoor cycles.