Hello all

As silvercub says, there's nothing un-, im- or not proper about your wheels. But you're right to expect to be tempted by bikier ones in the future.

I did a series of interviews with people commuting into west London on bikes and scooters a few years ago, just stepping into the traffic (at red lights...) and asking them about their commuting experiences for a newspaper I was writing for. Quite a few said they took up scooter or bike commuting in the summer expecting to go back to trains or buses when the weather closed in... which they did, usually for about a week before they were reminded of how awful getting to work that way was. They'd then invested in decent winter riding gear and carried on two wheel commuting throughout the winter. My interviews were in February in the fog.

I'd advise strongly buying a helmet from a shop rather than online as the single most important thing about one is not price (high or low) or anything else but a really good fit. A bad fitting expensive helmet will protect you less than a cheap but good fitting one, and that's aside from the fact that even a small amount of discomfort in a shop ends up being a downright painful after an hour on a bike. You just can't try them out online.

Of other clothing, I'd check out a Hein Gericke store (I think there's one in Clapham but take a look on their website for the most convenient one) as these offer a good balance between reasonable prices and decent quality. Funny enough Triumph's own brand gear has the same balance, and also Weise, and I'm sure other people will recommend their own favourites on here too.

For security I'd go for ABUS locks as consistently high quality. Disc locks might not fit on the scooter so check that out, and if you chain it to something try not to leave any of the chain resting on the ground as thieves have a technique for beating them if this is the case.

Mr Cub - I can endorse this advice and no we don't import them !!!

The only issue I have with the Xena lock is that the batteries do not last quite as long as I would have hoped for but other than that - top notch.

The very annoying thing about manhole covers is that they're required whenever there's a change in direction of the sewer beneath, and as sewers generally follow roads, that means manhole covers on bends. It still puzzles me that it's considered okay to include a large, square slippery patch in the middle of corners without any attempt at giving it a higher friction surface... but it is.

Anyway, that's a two wheeler lesson learned in not too painful a way: always know the road surface. Bike crash embarrassment doesn't heal completely by the way, but it does ease with time, and a confession as you've done works well. And you're among friends, we've all done it...

For all your earlier worries about flowery helmets and a scooter called Binky, this rite of passage means you are now a man, although 5mph is scraping the award if not your bodywork...