Day 261 of riding eachday...

After a rather poor night's sleep, in which I actually woke in the early hours and just could not settle, even though I felt tired I decided to get up and make a cup of tea then watch the UFC which I was on recording. Once I had watched all the fights, I returned back to bed at around 5am and awoke again at exactly 9:14am.

Getting out of bed I did a quick self-assessment of my butt, after yesterday and the day before's riding, it actually didn't feel to tender so I decided to get ready and go out for another ride. 

I think I am due a couple of new pairs of cycling under shorts, and this may help me out in the long run. New decent under shorts are just so expensive. I have been eyeing up some dhb Aeron Shorts, so if anyone has any experience of using these, and how good they are, drop me a line.

Both Chain Reaction and Wiggle have them for £56 a pair.

Today is actually Day 261 of consecutive days that I have ridden. The majority of this has been indoors on my Turbo Trainer, as I have mentioned before, what with having a broken Bartlett Tendon Knee and obviously being in the same situation as a lot of people and locked down due to this virus.

Going downstairs, Ern was up, and I kindly asked him would he mind going and getting my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike out for me. I can't even recall the last time I even rode my Fat Bike. Other than riding my De Rosa Idol on the Turbo indoors, I have been using my Specialised Turbo Levo for any outdoor adventures.

It is not laziness on my part, far from it as I have the assistance turned down on the eBike. No, I think it's just that I know I can go out really enjoy a ride, safe in the knowledge that if I get tired or sore I have a little help should I need it to get home. The Specialised has really helped me start enjoying riding once again and in fact, is a great tool to help build-up fitness so that I can then transfer this over to my regular bikes.

Ern sorted my Fat Bike out for me, inflating the tyres as they were down a little from standing so long. He also mentioned an annoying clicking sound coming from the bike when he had got it out. We both think it's coming from the bushes in the Rock Shox shocker, so Ern has said he will take a look and replace them for me.

Following Friday and Saturday's ride, I not only had a sore bottom, but also had managed to get a bit of chaff on the front of my hip from my socket. I think somewhere down the line either my socket or knee had become out of alignment. 

As any amputee will know when you pop your prosthetic on you generally put it on going off your foot position, and it just fits, however, if you have tinkered with your foot or knee then this can knock your socket out and I think this was the case. 

It had taken me a good few miles to rub myself sore, and as my prosthetist down at Pace Rehab Paul will tell you I have a weird set of hips anyhoo. I have had problems in the past with the lip of my socket catching right under the front of my hip bone.

Yesterday, whilst out with John we stopped, and I attempted to adjust my socket and knee to continue on our ride and to relieve the sore area. I stuffed my trusty Arctic ONE Buff down the front edge of my socket and this helped ease the sore area.

Having more time before I went out this morning, my dad helped me adjust my socket and I had a little test ride in the back lane before heading out for a short'ish ride. It now feels much better.

One of my favourite places to go locally is Chapman Wells nature reserve. I have mentioned it quite a lot upon my blog. It's just a really peaceful place, real pretty with not too many folk about. There are various loops which I know like the back of my hand and I can just make it up as I go, doing these various loops to then get some decent mileage in.
   

A couple of Wee bridges cross the stream in South Moor park

Love my Fat Bike

Over We Go

Heading from my house over towards South Moor and going through South Moor Park, I thought I'd take a few shots with my GoPro. Just going over the wee bridges that cross the stream before I had to dismount and push my bike up the steps to get to the drift. There I could get back on and ride up and on to Chapman Wells through the wooded trail.

I had just got a few shots taken, riding on my BTK with only one tendon as my other had snapped on Friday, then just as I was approaching the steps I felt the remaining tendon snap. It has gone in exactly the same place, at the bottom receiver, where the metal pin goes through the laminated tendon.

Awwww Man not another one

Decisions, decisions... I thought to myself, do I just turn around now after only riding about 2 miles and go home totally deflated, or do I just say "F@%K It" and carry on. I guess this is a testament to my current positive mindset as I just dismounted my bike and pushed my bike up the steps then carried on.

Riding without the use of the tendons is easier in one sense, in that you do not have the added resistance, however trying to attempt any trails is not so much fun, especially as I only had 50 psi in the shock, so standing out of the saddle wasn't going to happen this morning. I therefore just chose to ride fire trails and not attempt any rough or technical stuff.

A Positive Mindset helps

Out on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike

Cracking bike this and I love the colour

At least by not coming straight home, I still got a workout. It's funny the things that go through your mind when you are trying to remain positive and overcome adversity. I can recall thinking "Man I am so lucky to be out in the fresh air, surrounded by all this beautiful scenery".

Many people just do not have these opportunities, whether it be through disability or illness. Thinking in these terms and how fortunate I am in my own little word, I always give thanks to the Universe.