A roll out on the Raleigh Electric to start Saturday morning. It’s been almost six months since I last pressed the eco button on the absolute beast of a bike and let the Bosch motor work its wonders down below.
It’s been a little complicated; access to the Raleigh Electric has been tricky. I gave the bike something of a once over yesterday evening ahead of the ride to start the weekend. Much to my surprise the battery level of three bars from six months ago had been retained.
The first obstacle to overcome whilst leaving the house was a gig boat being towed right down our road. Saturday morning is the Rat Race for the local gigs.
It’s a very competitive course, which, as the name suggests, takes you around Rat Island and then back down to the Sailing Club. It was quite a sight seeing a full-on gig being towed past our house.
My first thoughts as I put my pedal down and worked in unison with the motor were Christ, this bike is built like a bloody tank. It’s so strong and almost inflexible. It does give you a false sense of security, thinking that you’re on par with motorists on the road. You’re never on par with motorists on the road.
There was a slight early autumnal chill to the air. I could have possibly done with my full on cycling gloves. Soon it will be farewell to the fingerless ones for the season.
It didn’t take long before I passed the first roadside pheasant. He was looking slightly squashed. I don’t think he’ll get to enjoy the weekend.
I then realised I’d got my route all wrong. I missed off the usual turning for the Bobby George Boner. This meant I ended up riding it in reverse. It was most discombobulating.
I passed one of the local ponds that is usually a decent stop off point for a selfie, not so right now. It’s still completely bone dry.
Another signifier for the changing season was the sad sight of no wicket being prepared at Great Bentley. This is normally a regular scene as I cycle past the cricket club. Instead there was a sign up for an Autumn Fair. What goes around comes around.
Having messed up and tackled the route in reverse, I then also had to head down Tenpenny Hill rather than climb it. I would rather climb, to be honest. It’s pretty hairy with motorists trying to take you up from behind.
I passed the first pumpkins of the season outside a house. They weren’t real ones, but some kind of ceramic shit ones placed on top of a couple of gate posts.
The Raleigh Electric held its own as well as pretty much most of the charge. Autumnal and winter days were meant for taking the Raleigh Electric out around the lanes.
Chapeau!
