I cycled to work

I did something amazing today.

I cycled to the office. And back home again.

I know, billions of people ride a bike every day. I used to, too.

But more than 25 years ago, I slipped a disc and was told to stop cycling, because of the load on my lower spine. Since then, I’ve been diagnosed with #ataxia, which affects my balance and co-ordination.

Those are both pretty indispensable when riding a bike.

So I thought my cycling days were pretty much over, much like my mountaineering, football and running days.

But I recently inherited an #ebike that’s been sitting in a shed or garage for several years.

So I thought, why not?

I’ve been building up to this trip. It’s about 3.5 miles/5km to the office from where I live. Not far – I used to regularly walk to and from it when the weather was clement, until I couldn’t.

I was terrified I’d fall off at first – almost certain fractures for me. But I thought I’d give it a go.

Timid and – frankly – wobbly at first, it took a while pootling around quiet local streets to gain some confidence.

But after a while, I felt ready to go up the path by the river.

It was glorious. I felt so free. That it was a beautiful day undoubtedly helped: the wind in my face, the sun on my back, birdsong in the budding trees.

Today was … less than glorious. Rain lashed down, the wind gusted all over the compass. I was absolutely sodden by the time I made it to the office.

But I got there in half the time it would take me on public transport, and less time that it would have taken me to drive a car.

And I’ve only fallen off once … so far.