@Tony L sorry to hear about your accident, the damage to your bike and you. It is never easy getting back onto a bike especially when you realise how vulnerable you are especially when idiots decide to take you out. I've had three bad accidents whilst training and only minor ones in comparison when racing. I'm not sure how I would "bounce" if at all if I were to be wiped out today.
This morning I've been out in terrible conditions, with heavy rain, high winds and even a bit of thunder and lightening thrown in for good measure, and guess what I bloody loved it. Came back soaked and knackered, watched some rugby and now planning to open a bottle of red for this evening. All is good with the World.
I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread as it has helped me clarify my thinking.
After spending quite a bit of time last night chatting to a pal in Oz who has also returned back to cycling and is now competing against Strava, I'm down to three bikes. Each vastly different from each other!
At the moment its either a Look 795 Blade - but not sure if to go disk or rim brakes, the Open Upper, a gravel bike that with some careful fitting out can be used off and on road and the late entry a 3T Strada 1x.
As far as I can see the Look 795 Blade is pure road... and nothing much else. With the Open Upper I have the potential to ride road, tow paths, gravel, Hors category climbs etc... all with the change of wheels and gearing. The 3T Strada got a massive vote from my pal in Oz as he rides one - one that is fully spec'd with SRAM 1x.
I've checked out the 3T and it is pretty radical and seems to polarise opinions re. 1x for road use and i quite like the idea of riding something a little off the wall.
On a different matter the pub bike has taken a major leap forward this afternoon. I have pulled out an old battered NJS Keiren frame that was in the loft. I've given it a quick once over and it looks in decent shape, no forks but I'm sure I can source some fairly easily. I also found some Suntour large flange track hub (bearings a bit rough), a decent Cinelli stem and a pair of Mavic GP4 rims. Pub bike is progressing.