The last time I rode a bicycle was about 62 years ago. That shows to some people that I’m probably beyond dead and not worthy even of consideration because that is a not particularly cool thing to say. I remember going on a bicycle tour with two mates  to East Anglia using YHA hostels along the way. The weather was cold and blustery and my goodness did the miles seem long but we managed it.

The longest days cycle I have ever done is from Streatham London SW16 to Bergh Apton with Yelverton in Norfolk, a distance of 137 miles. I don’t know how I did it but it was flat most of the way. There are not many hills in Norfolk or Suffolk. A couple of weeks ago I hired an electric bike. I have not had the opportunity to give it a proper go because the weather has been so bad but today the sun was shining, I  could hardly recognize it (joke) so we both decided to take a local trip to Radstock which is about three miles I suppose. Me on my EV and Françoise on her push bike.

After such a long time most of the time but they say that once you learn to ride a bike you never unlearn it and I’m living proof of that. My bike has six gears and three levels of propulsion. The first one is Eco, the second is sport and the third is Turbo. I found that on the flat I could run very nicely on eco. I found that my lower arms became very stiff and strained and this is because of the way I was holding the handlebars. I made frequent use of the bell because I didn’t want to run into people and have them suddenly go sideways or let their dog run out of control.

It was a windless day with the sun shining which by the way is a handicap if you are riding into the sun because my glasses automatically adapt and darken, You may have expected the opposite but I think on reflection – no pun intended – it is probably better to ride without glasses even though they are varifocals.

We had a minor celebration in a cafe in Radstock, the little corner one by the bridge for those who are familiar with the area and we had a lovely chocolate cake with a latte and Françoise had some orange juice. We had to turn back from an intended longer journey because the cycle track was closed for two months for renovations. A returning cyclist gave us the news and we chatted for about 10 minutes.

I had forgotten the considerable fraternity that exists amongst cyclists, I’m not talking so much about professional cyclists because I have not met them in any number but I’m talking about amateur cyclists  out for pleasure. You become members of an instant club and you find there is much to talk about. It is like facing the world from another point of view. Even on the short ride from Midsomer Norton to Radstock the cycle track – walkway took us along fields and agricultural land and you could almost imagine that you were deep in the country.

Motorways and the like have certainly transformed the Landscape but from the point of view of nature it is probably not a very good change. I had the idea that I would wear a yellow reflector jacket with a big L for learning on the back. I found up the lady who rented out the bikes asking for a less heavy one. She said they were ordering some more but they would not be available for some time. I can see using a bicycle even though it is powered as a good source of exercise and certainly good for the heart not to mention the benefit of fresh air not to mention the benefits of companionship with those you meet along the way.

I did find by the way that walkers and drivers were considerate  of us that would not like to  right a bicycle in bigger cities such as Bristol or even London. Bath is a bijou place and I think I could manage it there but buses tend to drive past rather fast and lorries are somewhat of the lord of themselves so whether I spend the money on purchasing and EV bike – the jury is out.