I've had my magnificent electric steed for almost a year now. It has definitely exceeded expectations! I use it frequently to go to the local shop, I've been to parties, gigs, social visits etc, but all, so far, within a few miles of home.
This week, I finally got me and my bike on a train and went all the way to play at a wedding in Cumbria (with quite a lot of help from my husband/partner in grime).
If you take a bike on a train you have to book it in advance, as there are pitiful few bike spaces on British trains. I also booked some disability assistance, as the journey was to involve a quick change with a race across the station at Wolverhampton.
Mostly the help was good and mostly someone was there to meet us. The staff we met on the way were as helpful as they could possibly be, but all train journeys seem to have their quota of chaos that nobody can control, but helpful fellow passengers filled the gaps in moments of struggle.
We had beautiful, hilly and windy 10 mile ride out from Penrith railway station. We got a little lost, but it was sunny and we found a magnificent stone circle to stop for a pit stop.
The hills were pretty relentless, but nothing my magic bike couldn't handle! The worst bits were due to operator error, like clunking into a wrong gear by mistake and my foot-droppy foot being jolted off the pedal...I'm still not good at uphill starts, especially when I'm feeling a bit fatigued, but I'm getting better at my gear control, and I do my best to only stop when I can roll start!
This is the most intrepid adventure so far, and it taught me a good deal about how far I can push myself and my bike! It was the first time I was really mindful of conserving my battery. I did far more miles on the lowest "Eco" setting than I thought I'd manage!
And now I'm at home, having barely moved all day! Exhausted, but feeling on top of the world! Doing crazy stupid things like this every now and then does my soul the world of good! It makes me feel like a champion! I spend a lot of my days living with limitations, which is OK, but it is so nourishing and encouraging to take on a physically daunting challenge and rise to it!
Onwards and upwards! :)
X
