My bikes
2024 Update on bikes.
I sold Treacle in 2021 since I didn't need two electric bikes and there was a demand for bikes as we came out of lockdown.
I sold Walter as I realised I would probably never be able to use a proper bike again.
My beloved Marj is presently up for sale, but having paid a large sum to have her completely overhauled to brand new condition, I am holding out for a reasonable sale.
I sold Elfie as the bike shop said seh was on her last legs ans I needed to use the money to buy a new one, so hello Daisy.
My electric previous bikes were properly defined as "Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles". Although Treacle had a throttle which coould provide a useful push when starting from traffic lights for instance, it coudn't do all the work for you.
Daisy, however, wants to do all the work. Although meeting the legal requirements for an electric bike (engine power and speed restiction), I am emcouraged to be lazy as if I am at a suitable speed and gear, she will just continue driving me at that speed so I can just sit and steer much of the time.
Although I have adapted the two spare batteries of Elfie's that I retained when I sold her, Daisy is a really heavy bike and her motor is in use more of the time so they don't last so long - about 18 miles whilst the battery that came with her lasts longer, but I can still manage 40 mile loops into and through the New Forest occasionally.
Daisy as advertised (but I don't use the basket)
Daisy in her shed
Daisy well loaded
My folding e-bikes, "Efie" and "Treacle" (anagram of "Electra").
I didn't ever think I'd get excited by an electric bike and always thought of them a bit like "cheating". However, health concerns have meant I haven't had the breath or energy to cycle much and, instead of the 30 miles a day of recent years, 2017 saw me only managing short loops about once a month.
I adopted Elfie in November 2017 and she served me well and managed 36 miles of a 40 mile test cycle to see how far she could go.
I adopted Electra (nicknamed Treacle) in February 2020. Older, her heart wasn't up to much and she faded after 100 yards. But, she has had a transplant (having the battery cells replaced) which should mean she has 25% more vitality than when she was new. I have also replaced her seat with a slightly more comfortable one.
Elfie and Treacle on the right share a new little bike shed whilst Walter (Raleigh) and Marj (Dawes) live in the original bike shed along with bike tools etc.
The plan is Treacle will manage short shopping hops whilst Elfie will take me on longer leisure rides. (Treacle's range is probably about 20 miles against Elfie's of around 30.)
Though, when I can, I hope to use Marj for longer leisure rides and Walter for fast road runs.
This is my Dawes Horizon, "Dawes" (affectionately nicknamed "Marj": "See Saw, Marjorie Dawes") bought 8 June 2013.
Dawes: the standard look
Modified with straight bars and carrying extras.
Made of chromoly steel: stronger than aluminium.
The handlebars carry an extender to hold front reflector, headlight and cycle computer and handlebar mounted camera (when used) leaving the main bar free to hold map holder and bell apart from the gear shifts and brake levers.
"Walter" is a Raleigh Equipe.
February 2012. Bought a new road bike for sponsored cycle in Holland in July.
Bought it cheaply as 1. On-line discount warehouse. 2. Customer return (Could have scratches or scuffs - but non found). 3. Last year's model. 4. Needs some assembly - one pedal needed to be screwed onto crank.
It's a white Raleigh Equipe, "Walter". This is the catalogue picture.
I have modified it to meet my needs.
1. Removed toe clips. Can't manage them.
2. Changed tyres for Botranger Hardcase - triple kevlar reinforced protection against punctures.
3. Fitted immobitag microchip.
4. Fitted two aluminium bottle cages
5. Added cross brake levers supplementing plain drops with levers parallel to straight top of handlebar.
6. Fitted handlebar extender and cycle computer on it.
I cycled round Holland in July 2012 in pouring rain in aid of Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign.
There's no room to mount a bell (but I mounted a horn on the bar drops) nor the map / route holder I used on my Giant when I cycled in France, though.
In 2017, I replaced the drop bars with a straight handlebar which I now prefer.
Walter with his new handlebars, gear and brake levers and new saddle.
All my bicycles carry Immobitag identification microchips within their frames.
Previous bikes:
Sadly, my long cherished Raleigh Pioneer was stolen but I used the insurance payout towards my Giant Cypress hybrid.
My Giant Cypress served me for many years but the frame catastrophically tore. Giant were very good at giving me a rplacement (even though it was out of warranty) but I sold that on as I'd already bought Dawes.
I sold my Pyramid folding bike in October 2011, having hardly used it and sold my Peugeot Caiman bike in March 2012 as I needed the shed space to store the Raleigh.