I have been reading the previous responses to posters and have learned loads so would really appreciate thoughts on my situation.
I'm a soon to be 50 female. Currently slightly unfit but want that to change (still pretty active, surf etc). I'd like to buy a bike to use for a short commute (approx 5 miles in each direction), but the commute is hilly. I put it into a route mapper and apparently its 170m elevation on the way there (it's basically a slow steady climb). The journey home will be easier!
I'd also like to use it to pop round to my son's house but he lives at the bottom of one of the steepest hills I have seen. Cycling back up may not be realistic. I'm in Devon so everywhere I end up cycling will have hills.
Budget is an issue which is where I am struggling. I would prefer the price to be closer to 1K rather than 2K but don't want to spend 1k and find I have a bike which is too much like hard work to use.
I am also toying with the idea of just getting a push bike and forcing myself to get fitter but I really don't want to arrive at work purple.
Any ideas or thoughts really welcomed. The bike will be very much used to get from A to B rather than as a leisure activity itself. I think I'd prefer a bike where I'm seated fairly upright but am open to other suggestions.
So many places have sold out and am happy to wait for the right bike.
I'm a soon to be 50 female. Currently slightly unfit but want that to change (still pretty active, surf etc). I'd like to buy a bike to use for a short commute (approx 5 miles in each direction), but the commute is hilly. I put it into a route mapper and apparently its 170m elevation on the way there (it's basically a slow steady climb). The journey home will be easier!
I'd also like to use it to pop round to my son's house but he lives at the bottom of one of the steepest hills I have seen. Cycling back up may not be realistic. I'm in Devon so everywhere I end up cycling will have hills.
Budget is an issue which is where I am struggling. I would prefer the price to be closer to 1K rather than 2K but don't want to spend 1k and find I have a bike which is too much like hard work to use.
I am also toying with the idea of just getting a push bike and forcing myself to get fitter but I really don't want to arrive at work purple.
Any ideas or thoughts really welcomed. The bike will be very much used to get from A to B rather than as a leisure activity itself. I think I'd prefer a bike where I'm seated fairly upright but am open to other suggestions.
So many places have sold out and am happy to wait for the right bike.