Wheels

I'd been struggling with a decision, and thought I'd reached a decision.

No.

My company has initiated a bicycle-buying-eco-friendly scheme through which I can become the proud owner of a brand new shiny pair of wheels -- provided I make my mind up by the twelfth of July. For a short walk across the street from my office and into a cycle shop and a small reduction in my salary each month (an amount more or less, equivalent to one week's worth of coffee), I could be whizzing around town. It all adds up to a great deal. My colleagues are raving about it. So, what are my reservations? Why did I tell the My Man this morning that I'd made up my mind, that I'd like a bike, but I don't want a bike?

1. A week's worth of coffee isn't something to be undervalued.

2. I once had a bicycle in London; I didn't ride it much (maybe six times in three years); I gave it to a friend; It was stolen.

3. As a child, I was hit by a car three times (on three different occasions by three different people; I feel it important to clarify I wasn't purposely targeted.)

4. Finally, and most paramount, space. We just don't have it. My Man's bicycle already litters our hallway, or our patio, or our reception, or our spare room/office depending on the day, the weather, and My Man's compunction for 'putting it away'. I don't want to have to pull it through our hallway and into the patio each night. Equally, I'm certain my enthusiasm for riding to work will wane when I'm faced with the early morning prospect of hauling the damn thing out of the garden and into the reception, down the hall (God damn it! A smudge on the wall!) to the front door.

So it was decided. No bike for me.

My Man came home from work this evening with news: his bicycle was stolen from the bicycle rack at the tube station! Now my most paramount of reasons for NOT taking my company up on their bicycle scheme has flown the coop. Now we have the space! Hurray.

Of course, I have to ask myself, how long will I have this shiny brand new bike?