My pushbike hadn’t been out on the roads since last summer, and so it was with great excitement and apprehension that I loaded the newly-named Icarus onto the train yesterday morning.
We’d planned a spot of cycling in the Essex countryside, and as I can ride the trains with my annual season ticket for free, I belted the bike into the special cargo area of the train, and settled back for the 40-minute journey south.
I was surprised at how stress-free it all was. As it was a weekend journey, no cycle reservations had to be made. I turned up with two other cyclists, and after we’d loaded our bikes into the empty cargo carriage, we told the conductor where we were getting off, and then enjoyed our journey down the line.
When we arrived at our respective destinations, we unstrapped the bikes, and we were on our way. I was expecting it to be much more problematic than that.
It really was nice to get out and about on two wheels again. And, it was made so much easier by the 25-mile loops of lanes in Chelmsford, which are especially for cycles. Buildings turned into trees, and those trees thinned into meadows. The bike routes really are very well-planned.
Cutting through the town centre, snaking into parks, along riversides, and under viaducts, we only crossed one major road. Taking a bag packed with pencils and sketchbooks, we sat on a peaceful bank at Sandford Mill and put pencil to paper, sketching the barges which lined the edge of the algae-filled river, occasionally disturbed by an errant and excitable beagle pup, who was letting curiosity get the better of him.
Having not drawn for over 20 years, both of us were half-pleased with our results. It was much harder than either of us remembered, though, especially the perspectives.
Not like riding a bike, of course.
Meanwhile, our journey today took us on National Cycle Route 1 through the centre of Chelmsford to the beautifully scenic village of Writtle, where we enjoyed a lunchtime snack under the shade of trees in the churchyard.
And, all weekend, I noticed that the number of fellow bikers was much higher than I’d anticipated, easily rivalling those of bike-friendly Cambridge. With its 80 miles of cycle routes, the university city could claim to have more cyclists, but I think the county town of Essex would put up more than a good fight.
Shopping for gas fires (and learning lots about chimneys), fun al fresco family meals, and lounging in the garden have all played their part in the last sunny two days, too.
All in all – and as I was feeling the pinch a little this week – the weekend has been one of the most enjoyable, idyllic, and relaxed of the year so far.