My Dohon two-speed folding bike is still a bit of a bikerafting novelty, so on a sunny, calm and chilly day soon after New Year, I went out for a spin in Poole Harbour.

I pedalled up to Arne, then set off north across Crighton’s Heath, occasionally crunching through frozen puddles.

At the top of the heath the narrow Wareham Channel came into view beyond the tawny, mid-winter scrub.

For stability, the bag sat crossways over the clip-on rack works best, but the small wheeled bike struggles across cattle grids and gets wobbly manoeuvring at low speeds.

The tide was a lowish neap coming in, but at this point on the Harbour shore, the HW/LW band is narrow which means less chance of mudflats, whatever the tide. I’ve been caught out here before.

It wasn’t that cold – or I was over-dressed in a fleece onesie and drysuit. But it was cold enough the snap the plastic toggle off the drysuit’s TiZip.

The bike drops easily into the bow. No need to lash down. I set off west. Today was one of those rare days where the water was warmer than the ambient air. Result? After inflating fully with cold air, no need to temper (top up) the boat as the warmer water firms it up for you.

The boat may be firm but I got no glide – it’s a struggle of move along. Is it the added 11kg, unfitness or the incoming tide through the narrow Channel having a bigger effect than I thought? I decide it’s mostly the latter.

As I turn the corner at Gold Point I’m paddling southeast into the low sun which, along with the tide, is really quite annoying. Should have brought the peaked cap.
On top of that, I didn’t get myself properly comfy in the boat, as I managed on the Christchurch bikeraft last summer, the first time I tried folded bikerafting. Don’t know why; the seat was in the same place, so was the bike, but not being fully relaxed in the boat wears you out prematurely.
Once past the hook of Patchins Point and out of the tide, I slide off the seat, put my feet up and drift off. I take a periodic peak and now it’s the northeasterly breeze pushing me out towards Brownsea Island, not the tide.

I turn into towards Shipstal Point where a bridleway leads back to Arne. It was a short paddle but as always, it’s nice to get on the water on a sunny winter’s day.

I try and pack up without getting sand all over the boat and bike, but it’s a losing battle. I lash down the boat and pedal home.

I’m reminded what a mistake it was to use an iPhone without a stand or at all. Unlike my Olympus, ‘wet camera’ it’s tricky to use while pedalling, and trying to use the self-timer or vids focusses on a blade of grass in front of the lens, not the passing bike. Result: extra boring pics of nothing much at all.

Later that afternoon I finally got to grips with a Hoverair X1 drone (left) a mate sold me cheap. It’s basic and sounds like a kicked hornet’s nest, but works without a phone or controller, weighs just 125g and fits in your pocket. Reviews are pretty positive for what it is. This morning’s biking and rafting would have been a perfect chance to try it out and get some better PoVs. Next time may be a while away. The weather forecast shows wind and rain right off the edge of the screen.