For me as a 14 year old ,the year was 1945 and the start of on my working life. World War 2 was still raging in Europe and the Far East which all commodities were either rationed or difficult to obtain. So to be able to purchase a second bike was also a problem for my Father to set me up with the wherewithal to travel daily to and from my job whose base was a 5 mile journey morning and night. As it was early January the need for having lights with the laws being very strict, no excuses either you used them or face a fine ,in my case well in excess of an apprentices weekly wage. A week or so before my first day at work I was presented with a old restored Humber roadster equipped with dynamo lighting and rear carrier. Although at the time I did 'nt realise this bike would put me in good stead for the years ahead. After four years of not doing less than 10 to 15 miles for six days a week I was able to buy my first complete "racing bike" . In 1949 I was using my newly purchased Armstrong Moth for work and pleasure, later joining the local cycling club it became my sport. To this day and many bikes since those early days I still enjoy the pleasures of being a cyclist especially owning some of those classics that were part of my life then and still with me today.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK