How fit does cycling make you?

I cycle to work (25 minutes each way) about 3-4 times a week. That's 150-200 minutes or 2-3 hours of cycling per week. It's not massive strenuous. There are two hills each way, i.e. 4 hills per day i.e. 12-16 hills per week.

If I stopped doing this cycling, would I feel the difference do you think? In other words, is this cycling making a significant contribution to my fitness?

A day off that was busier than work

What a day yesterday.

Firstly to Uxbridge Boat Centre. What a great place. Spent far too much money and was charmed by the lovely woman who works there. It's fascinating to see all the boats in the yard too.

Then to my boat for sanding, rust converting, lunch and red oxiding. Balancing precariously on a gunwhale I turned to see a swan a foot away looking at me earnestly.

Then back to London, and South London at that, to the first day of a new photography course. It's run by the brilliant Zoom In. I did their basic photography course last year, and this is the follow on. I've got to shoot two rolls on specific things and get the photos developed before next Thurs. I think I will do some on the theme of shopping as I am going to a jumble sale with my granny in Berkshire tomorrow.

Then in Paddington I apprehended three men who had stolen another man's bike (he was running down the road after them). I asked one of them how he would feel if someone stole his bike (he was riding one). He gave me the finger in response, and then they all cycled off the wrong way down a one way street. I reported them to the police. Seems doubtful they will get caught,but you never know.

I should take the day off work more often!

Throwing money at bicycles

Is it worth buying a bike for more than £150? The people in the bike shop tell you there's a big difference between a £200 and a £300 bike. Is this really true? How much is reasonable for a bike you ride to work on and take on holidays 3x a year?