The Pilgrimage of Peddars Way – an Electric off-road motorcycle adventure – Chapter 2

With the Zero DSR/X fully charged, the promises of Chapter 1 gave way to reality. Neil and Matt rolled out, the journey beginning with a warm-up sequence of twisting tarmac and rural backroads, testing the handling of the fully-loaded electric adventure rig.

Their historical waypoint was the magnificent Ely Cathedral, a towering stone sentinel whose foundations date back to a 673 monastery. After a moment of homage at this medieval beacon, they pointed the nose of the DSR/X toward the Peddars Way. The electric motor’s instant torque proved immediately useful, making short work of overtakes and ensuring seamless flow as the roads opened up.

Soon, the terrain began to hint at the ancient military route ahead, leading them directly to Castle Acre. This imposing complex—a massive Norman earthwork castle and a magnificent 11th-century Priory—sits strategically right on the Roman-built Peddars Way, a physical intersection of two millennia of history that once served as a major stop for medieval pilgrims.

It was here they truly began the adventure. Turning off the smooth tarmac, the Anakee Wilds immediately began to chatter and dig, finding purchase in the sandy, washboard surface of the trail. The electric motor remained silent, making the grinding crunch of gravel under the tyres the dominant sound as they followed the ancient line.

The Zero DSR/X came into its own on the diverse terrain: from rolling dirt tracks and massive agricultural silos to deep ruts, thick hedgerows, and pre-historic burial mounds. The bike handled it all with unflappable composure, its potent, quiet heart pushing them further down the ancient track.

Next week: Chapter 3 takes us deeper into the heart of the Peddars Way, where the route gets even more remote, and the history more compelling. Stay Connected!