Winter Days - Electric Bikes

After much Googling and Motorhome Facts perusal on the subject winter storage we've decided to keep the van going over the winter months, but close down some of the habitation systems. So, we've drained the water system and the Truma heater, but kept the electrics and gas connected. The van came with a full- size cover, which given that the farm where it is stored is situated about 1200 feet up in the Pennines, then using it would make sense. However, since the plan is to have days out with Maisy every fortnight or so to keep the main and the leisure batteries charged, we've opted to buy a windshield frost cover instead to make it easier to hop-in and drive off. Having removed the bedding and propped-up the upholstery to keep it aired and opened all the cupboard doors, we're hoping that's enough to keep the interior dry and the dreaded damp at bay.

So yesterday we fetched the van to check on it; it looks like the precautions we're taking are sufficient as despite a cold snap and storm force gales the van started-up straightaway and everything inside looked fine. A quick trip to Leek enabled us the check the tyre pressure and we wandered ourselves home via Ashbourne and Hartington stopping off at The Charles Cotton Hotel for a tasty lunch by a log fire, followed by a short walk a little way up the Dove Valley towards Pilsbury. The landscape is looking very wintry now, all the leaves have fallen and the tracks muddy after the recent storms.

We kept the van on the drive overnight. The plan was to play with some new toys today. After much deliberation we finally took the plunge and bought two electric bikes. It was a toss-up between the Chinese built budget models - a local shop sells Juicy Bikes, not mind crunchingly expensive and jolly looking, available  in a variety of colours - or, more expensive German built models, similar to the e-bikes we hired in Austria last summer.

We had a look at both; in the end the guy in Ebike Shed in Stoke on Trent offered us a really good price on  two Wisper models, the more expensive type, but he convinced us that superior build quality was worth it. So now was the moment to try them out.

We knew that lifting them onto the bike rack was not going to be easy. E-bikes are heavy, around 24kg. It's certainly a two person job to get them up onto the bike rack. We struggled a bit getting them on at first, but after a couple of goes on doubt we will work out exactly the best way to load eack bike and the easiest places to secure them.

We cycled six miles or so down the nearby Tissington/High Peak Trails. Originally part of a railway line connecting Buxton to Ashbourne at least the trails have gentle gradients. It takes a bit of practise to coordinate the gears with the boost you get from the electric motor, but both of us are experienced, if un-practised cyclists, and we soon were beginning to get the hang of it. At Parsley Hey, near Crowdicote, the track forks. We headed down the High Peak Trail, mainly because it is less exposed than the Tissington Trail and the cold blustery breeze was unpleasant. We've cycled these trails in the past with the kids, a head wind makes for hard-going usually, the bit of extra oomph you get from the motor certainly made a difference.

The shortest day is only two weeks away. On the limestone plateau which stretches between Buxton and Ashbourne the landscape looked distinctly gloomy. "Where are you in your head?" Gill asked. I considered this for a moment, "On a ridge somewhere in the Corbieres," I replied. "Perhaps I am heading for Limoux, it's so hot I am worried my arms and legs might get sunburned. There is no doubt we are going to cycle some beautiful, sunlit roads on these bikes, but even today had its moments. As we headed down the quietest section of the trail, north of Parsley Hey, a kestrel hovered  above us, using the breeze to remain utterly motionless, then suddenly the bird tipped its wings and  swooped sidewards just in front of us as if exulting in the sheer pleasure of riding the air's invisible breakers.