101: 3.1 Hazel

The most extravagant purchase I have ever made so far has to be my bicycle. It took me many years to finally commit to a bike, and I splashed out on the best - a Brompton original. The thing that prevented me from making a two-wheel purchase all this time was the fear of it being stolen. We do not have the luxury of a private garden or garage, so if I did have a bike, it had to be locked outside - vulnerable to nature's elements and prying hands. Having a foldable bike would of course relieve my anxiety, but with the Brompton's steep price, I just couldn't justify the investment in any other time except just before I started work. Realising that cycling would cut my commute time in half, I realised that it was time to take a leap of faith, and make that payment. Even so, I signed up for the cycle to work scheme at my hospital, so I am exempted from forking out a grand in 1 go. My bike is paid in monthly instalments (minus the tax - bargain!).

Despite it coming with many problems (such as the many bruises on my ankles from hitting the edge of its pedals, and the difficulty I faced when changing its rear tyre 3 times in the past 5 months!), it must be my favourite thing I own. Did I mention that I also gifted it with a name? It's Hazel. No idea why - as its colour is actually turqoisy-lime green.

Hazel and I have braved many weathers together. From down pouring rain and sunny hot summers, to icy snow showers and winds that literally swept us sidewards in the cycle lane. We have scarily braved the night when one of us was seriously injured (ie Hazel had a completely flat tyre). And we have sort of made a reputation for ourselves in the workplace whenever we enter and leave the hospital. I have come to discover that owning a folding bike is akin to having an instant attention magnet. I am less Dr Zaharoff, than I am "The Dr that pushes her bicycle around the hospital every morning". The other day, I was even surprised by the mystery cleaner who said, "No bike today, Dr?". I smiled and replied, "No, its at home. It was raining too heavily to cycle today."

I do very much prefer the freedom that cycling allows me. I would much rather have my thighs ache from cycling uphill rather than aggressively finding a car parking space every morning or being stuck in awful London traffic. If only the trains were more reliable (sigh, Abellio trains, sigh).

Hope this marks only the very beginning of our adventures together, Hazel!