I always used my cycle back home. I wanted to ship my new cycle back from India. After much deliberation, I got to know that buying a new cycle in London would be way cheaper than shipping one from India.

I dint want to invest on a new cycle here looking at the rate of theft in London. So my immediate thought was to buy a second hand cycle. The most prominent response that I got from people when I asked about a good place to look for cheap second hand cycle was Gumtree and FB market place. I had forgotten my facebook password and dint haver the energy to create a new profile.

I opened an account in Gumtree and started passively looking for a cycle. I realized that I had to go and collect it rather than it being delivered to me. Then I used some distance filters to narrow down my search. Everything were above or about 90-150 pounds which was above my range.

This process went on for a little more than a month and I was about to give up. I looked for the bikes that could be rented on a monthly basis called the Buzzbike. I also heard about Swapfiet, but Buzzakibe had a better look even though it costed more. I went ahead and placed an order for the bike and then they asked me about my personal details like age, sex and height. It irritated me that they let me know that they don’t have bike frames suitable for my height.

I went crazy searching for a bike on Gumtree and I finally found one suitable for my taste and purse. The main thing that I had to keep in mind is distance because I had to cycle it back home.

We chatted for a day and decided on an evening to meet. On the way to this new place in London via tube I realized I might be scared to go and meet this stranger in a completely new place. I dint realize how quick London gets pretty dark in the evening. I reached there and I had called the seller for the first time and I heard a female voice. I was a bit relieved. She asks me to stand near a pub. And she said it will take her some 10mins to reach because she has to dress her baby.

So I waited. 10mins seemed like half an hour trying to be cautious of where I am and if someone is about to snatch my phone and run away. Then she calls again to ask where I am and we both direct each other to meet. And I see a newborn with her and now I feel bad even though I dint do anything.

She takes me to the parking area where the bike is and she was very cautious of me as well. She locks the door behind her after she takes out the cycle from the garage. She is a bit clumsy with the baby in the bag in front of her. I tried to offer her to help but she politely declined. I look at the bike and it is definitely more scratched and dirty than it showed in the photos. I asked her if I could cycle it around and see how it feels. She was apprehensive and let me drive inside the courtyard where I cant possibly run away with the cycle. I drop my bag as a small gesture to let her know that I am not gonna possibly run away. I try it and find that the chain might be defective. I sit down to have a look at whats wrong I realize there is not enough light for me to look. She offers to flash light but I decline saying that I’d come back again when there is light to take a look. It wasn’t just the chain. In the back of my head there are so many things running in my head deliberating if I should buy it or not. In the meantime, she also tells me about her story of why she is selling her bike, She seemed a bit annoyed and warned me that there are many people who are ready to buy immediately and that she cant wait for long.

I come back with a heavy heart thinking all the way back that if she would sell it off before I visit her again.

Couple of days later I go back when there is light and check that the chain was fully rusted but was working. She was honest that the lock could get stuck, but would work fine if i greased it. Yes, she offered to give me the cycle along with the lock and a phone holder.

The offer was too tempting to decline. I want to pay her by net transfer since I hadn’t opened an UK acoount yet. But she said she is ready to wait for me to goi and withdraw cash from the ATM. Now ATM would charge me for withdrawal. But I had no choice. I gave her the cash as she waited and take the bike with a happy face as I hold my bike. I ask her to click a picture of me in my phone. i trusted her with my phone and thanks her so much for the bike.

A week later, I send a picture of the bike after neatly cleaning it. and i text her saying that I will take care of the bike and that its safe with me.

It hasn’t given me ANY problems till date (4 months)