First glimpse of new bike ...

I wonder if I'm alone in thinking that having your first ride on your new bike is an almost religious experience? Hopefully not because you're uncomfortable on a hard pew, but because there is something amazing about being the first person to ride on a new machine. You have to meet each other, get used to quirks, foibles, fumble awkwardly looking for the place it keeps its gears ... I think I'd better stop that analogy.

Well, I picked up my new Giant Seek Zero from the lovely people at E Chamberlain bikes. I took a couple of photos in the shop (I know, a bit sad, but as I said to the guys there "it will never be this new again so I must take a photo!") and set off on the Regent's Canal at Camden.

First realisation - it only has 8 gears. That's because it has hub gears (i.e.they are in encased rather than being exposed at the back). That felt strange. My new paniers (yes, I had to get those too - my old ones have lasted for about 10 years and are now ridden with holes) made a rattling noise which was mildly annoying. The brakes (disc rather than V-type) are surprisingly unresponsive - you have to squeeze quite a long way before they act, but when they kick in, they're very good. And what about the ride?

Well, great. I felt like I was flying when I reached a good flat empty bit of canal. You can really go fast. And I love the fact that it's so easy to change gears - you can even change down when you're stopped at a light. My verdict after a very short commute - an excellent bike, but one which will take a bit of getting used to!

The disc brakes

Distinctive wide look at the front

Giant Seek Zero at E Chamberlain's in Camden

Bus on fire this morning - Camden

The road was closed this morning in Camden - turns out a bus was on fire. I arrived in the "aftermath":