A visit to The Earl of Durham’s Monument

 It is Day 500 of cycling everyday today, so what better way to celebrate, (apart from you all donating a few quid to Arctic ONE via my link)

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

Then to go out for a nice bike ride with John.

I was up and about much earlier than need be, just can't sleep lately. This gave me the opportunity to make a couple of scrumptious fruit loaf sandwiches, containing Strawberry Jam and Quorn Spinach and Red Pepper slices...Mmmmmmm!

  

Mmmmm! One of my special sandwiches

 

John was the designated leader of today's excursion, saying he fancied a ride to Penshaw Monument. It's canny deceiving how far the trip is, both there and back from ours is, just over 26 miles according to my Strava. I have to say it's not the most exciting route, travelling down the C2C and coming out at Birtley, then lots of riding mainly on footpaths where we could as the road going up towards where Lambton Lion Park used to be is both up hill and cars travel at mental speeds.

A little history about Penshaw Monument...

Penshaw Monument

Penshaw Monuments official name is The Earl of Durham’s Monument. It has
a secret spiral staircase in one of its pillars and once on top of the walk way this leads to an impressive view as you stand on the 70feet tall structure.

Penshaw Monument

 

In the 1920s a young boy fell to his death, so the staircase was closed to the public. In the 60s vandals broke the lock preventing people from access and there was a brief period where there was unrestricted access. The National Trust now maintains the Monument and around 2011 granted access to the staircase on special designated days.

My Specialized having a rest

 

The Monument which is a replica of a Greek temple of Hephaestus in Athens, stands 446 feet above sea level. It was built in memory of John George Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham.

John at the bottom of Penshaw

 

There is no cycling within the Monument grounds, saying which it would be a pretty epic hill to climb. I struggled to push my bike up and had to stop for a breath and change my route a number of times, as it is hard going. Pleased I had my eBike as the walk assist came in very useful. Coming down was a bit more sketchy LoL
   

Man the push-up was hard, felt like my calf was going to explode

Another wee rest

Back to it

At the top I asked John would he like to try out one of my delicious sandwiches, not sure if he was just being polite as he said it was OK
I can't see him turning Vegan anytime soon. I think the photo maybe tells me he is not to keen LoL

Sharing me sandwiches with John

First bite "Nice Aren't they?"

Oh! And it was John's fault he cut our heads off in the pictures as he set up the camera on it little tripod.

View from the bottom of the hill

Sarnies ate, a quick drink, and we were off, negotiating the slippery slope back down the hill. The ride home was no less adventurous, but hey at least we were out, and it always gives us the chance to catch up and put the world to rights.

Well this has kept me busy this week.

     It's a bit of a mixed bag this blog entry...

I am pretty sure many people must be feeling like myself, well the ones who are shielding that is. You know when you have been off work for going on roughly 8 or 9 months I think that's how long it has been, on and off, more off than on. Well you kind of get to a point where you have binge-watched everything on Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Disney. You are fed up reading and there is only so much Facebook you can handle, as it's mostly doom & gloom. So what then?

I mean I have Myrtle my we 65 Bug back, however I have discovered whilst she was away and out of sight, as it were, she was also out of mind, and since her return I have felt really anxious... I know sounds stupid, but I think it's because she still requires loads of work, and it's like I am ploughing money into something that feels like will never be complete.

Myrtle I know the rear wheels don't look right just, yet they aren't finished

 

Myrtle is 56 years old this year

I have been out for a few practice drives in myrtle, all very enjoyable, however the clutch is not quite right, so I am waiting to take her back to Bewick Mobility to get her sorted. I can't go for a drive with the fitter until I think it's the 12th of April due to Covid restrictions.

Oh! And whilst I am on about Myrtle I may as well tell you about the new 15 x 8 steel smoothie wheels I bought for her a while ago. I wasn't sure what tyres to go with so rather than go out and guess and buy a new pair, my dad visited one of our local scrapyards and managed to pick up a pair of 195/65/15's for a fiver. The lads up at the General Garage fitted the tyres for my dad for nowt, so a huge thank-you goes to them.

 

Anyhoo we got the new wheels on, and instantly I could see the passenger side wheel was sticking out further than the drivers side. After much measuring, it seems a theme on this car, and writing a post on the Classic VW Forums we had a kind of plan of attack.

More measuring, told you it was a theme, and we discovered that the rear wings are slightly mismatched. Apparently this is common with 'repo' wings. The passenger side is about 10 mm narrower than the drivers side and making the car look slightly wonky.

Myrtle cannot be bent as since having her tracking set up, again at the General Garage, using a laser alignment gizmo, she drives very straight and does not pull or drift. I am now trying to convince myself that it is just a quirk of Myrtle and I can live with it, however my OCD is really niggling me and fighting me every step of the way.

Ern also cut off Myrtles rear bumps stops, which allows her to sit a lot lower at the rear.

Rear Bumps stops gone

Other things to sort in the short term I think I need a new brake master cylinder as Myrtle's brake pedal keeps dropping to the floor. My dad thought he had fixed the old one as it was sticking, however it now appears as if this maybe the culprit in my brake problem again.

And I am sure sometime ago I must have mentioned Myrtle's wipers, they simply will not 'Park'. You have to manually turn them off at just the right moment. Myrtle has a full brand-new custom wiring loom, so it can't be that, so when my dad and I do the brakes job I am going to remove the wiper motor and get it sent away to get looked at. I have checked on eBay for a recon motor, Wow! They are canny dear like.

Following these bits n bobs this is where I am getting a bit anxious as the next jobs are all big money ones. Things like do I go for a new engine and box, a total respray and then of course she needs a new interior.

Ok enough of Myrtle...

On to my bike, my Specialized Turbo Levo ebike to be exact. A good few weeks ago my bike stopped working correctly, it wouldn't switch on by the top tube button. If I fannied on with the handle bar buttons it would start working, think I have mentioned this in a blog too, dear me I sometime think I am going nuts, it's like ground hog day, anyhoo I digress.

After making a telephone call to Rutland Cycles Nottingham, the place where I had purchased my bike from and trying to get it booked in for what I thought was a warranty claim problem I soon became rather pissed off. Initially I managed to get booked in for an appointment no problem, however my dad informed me he had a hospital appointment on that day, so I had to call Rutland the following day to try and make another appointment. The bloke I spoke to was most unhelpful and was making up all sorts of what appeared excuses. I can understand we are in a lockdown, however my bike is really important to me as it has helped keep me sane.

So firstly he got on about lockdown, then he said a local dealer would fix it. I informed him I had been Intouch with a local dealer who advised me they may charge for any repairs. He then advised I call another local dealer which I did, to be told exactly the same information, that they would charge for repairs. Upon calling Rutland up, this guy still didn't believe me, so he advised me to call the Specialized Concept Store in Harrogate. So that was another call, just to be told the same thing, that they would possibly charge and that there was a 4-week wait before my bike may even be looked at. I then rang Rutland yet again and again was not believed, however did manage to get an appointment for the 17th of March.

Anyhoo long story short I decided the amount of fuel to get down to Nottingham and the chance of being fined for being caught out of area I would just take the bike to Infinity cycles over at Durham. They had my bike 2 days, and it was sorted, free of charge under warranty...result.

As I mentioned earlier and gets me on to my next bit of what has kept me busy this week. I have been watching various things on YouTube. Quite a bit to do with cryptocurrency, however I came across a few videos about Redbubble and t-shirt designs. "Ooh" I thought "I might give this a bit play with".

Redbubble

 A few of my designs LoL

And so this week I have been messing about with various web based design programs and also learning how to do certain things with an old version of Photoshop I have installed. I used to use Photoshop a lot back in the day when I was doing custom CD & DVD covers, but haven't use it in yonks, so I have had to learn by experimenting and watching a few online tutorial videos.

I have to say, although my designs are not exactly professional they have kept me entertained and busy I will be chuffed to bits if I make even one sale. I have 43 designs so far. I would have had more, however a few have been taken down as I inadvertently breached some copyright or other, by using images containing Lego and Star Wars. Oh! And not sure if my classic VW designs are available.

  

Well that's about it, it's 3:36 am, so another late night. I am on day 498x of cycling today and I have done 2750 sit-ups this month so keeping up with my challenge to cycle another year in support of Arctic ONE. As usual any donations greatly accepted. 

All for Arctic ONE

Not exactly an exciting blog I know, but hey keeping it real, it's just what I am doing at the moment.

Day 32 of riding, 1st day out in the real world this year

 So I am on day 451 of total days cycled and on day 32 of days I have ridden this year.  I am aiming to ride every day this year whether that be indoors on my Turbo and road bike or when I get the chance outdoors. To inspire and motivate me I decided to try and help the Arctic ONE foundation and hopefully raise a few quid to help them with their Forward Motion Grant system.

You can get more info on the awesome work Arctic ONE do  at www.arctic1.co.uk or Google Arctic One on Facebook

And if you would like to donate visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

I am still off work shielding from this poxy COVID-19 virus and like everyone else totally fed up. Last year I rode every single day, not so much out on trails as not only was I shielding, but I also had a few issues with my Bartlett Tendon and went through a period of breaking things.  I had to resort to my old slightly worn original Bartlett Tendon which had been stored in the loft and used it to ride indoors on my turbo trainer without tendons attached.

Getting the whole prosthetic knee out of the loft was a job in itself, man I hate climbing up the ladders and getting into our loft and getting back down is just as bad. It's little things I guess that people just take for granted, that as an amputee you just get so frustrated with. Never mind I eventually managed to get it down from the loft and then had to swap out my current socket that fits for the one that was on my old knee.

I could then use my old BTK until the new parts arrived for my BTK Crossover. Riding for over a year, it appears I have worn out my Rock Shox Monarch RT3 shocker. I got Intouch with Brian the designer of the knee asking for the correct model so that I could order one up and get it replaced asap. Brian very kindly had already sent me some spare tendons over and also offered to send me a replacement shocker that he had spare.

So to this morning as I woke somewhere around 11am, (yeah I have been lying in as there is nowt to do) the sun was shining through my bedroom window and I thought you know what I am going to sort out my knee and head out for a ride.

I gathered the tools required and the various parts to sort out my Bartlett tendon, affixing the new tendons into place and swapping out the socket from my old knee to my new knee. When my dad and I had  removed the sockets we made sure we placed alignment marks on both the knee and socket, so putting it back together and having the perfect alignment saved me a lot of trial and error.

During lockdown and knowing the weather has been shocking for months now I had decided to buy a pair of waterproof pants. I figured these would save me from getting up the eyes of clarts and if I decided to ride indoors it meant I wouldn't have to completely strip my knee to clean it as it would be protected.

I bought a pair of Endura Humvee waterproof pants from Cyclestore. I have to say when the pants arrived I wasn't overly impressed they seem rather thin. I had looked at various pairs, however they are all really expensive and as I don't normally wear pants I didn't want to pay the earth. These were £72.00. I bought a size Large, and actually they are quite a good fit. Plenty of room for my prosthetic knee and a good length. I did notice when I first started riding that I felt I was slipping a little on my saddle, but soon got used to the feel and after a single ride out the pants have done there job really well so all in all a good purchase. The pants are basic, with an elastic waist, with a draw cord, no pockets and Velcro fasteners to the bottom of the legs.
 

I also treat myself to a new Endura MT %00 Jacket in XL, though wish I had ordered an XXL for a bit more room. Basically ordered the jacket as it had received such good reviews and I liked the colour, plus being bored in lockdown, needed something to look forward too LoL. I didn't try the jacket out today.

 I took my old faithful Sandman Hoggar Ti on today's adventure. A good few weeks back I had got her out and given her a bit of love and attention so apart from a little air needed in her tyres she was good to go. As I gave my Sandman the quick once over I did notice her forks appeared to require a little air also. As I recall the upside down forks only have 80 mm of travel, and they felt a little saggy. I popped some air in, but not sure if it made much difference. I may need to investigate the forks and do a little reading up on them to see if they are ok.

Wow! I soon discovered it's a canny bit different riding the Fat bike with the Surly Nates on, compared to spinning on my road bike and Turbo. As I headed over to Craghead and up the bank at the Punch Bowl heading to Wagtail Lane I was proper puffing and blowing. I put some of this down to the Respro Face Mask I was trying out for the first time. I am not entirely sure if this mask is for me, felt like I couldn't breathe. As I got to the far end of Wagtail Lane I had to take the bloody thing off, so that I could get a breath. Man that breath of cold fresh air certainly felt good after being cooped up in the house for a month.

Sandman Hoggar Ti

I headed over to the farmers trail leading onto Chapman's Well and down the stone strewn dirt track. As I reached where it levels off this is where all the  water pools and as it has been so cold the puddles were all turned to ice. I love the sound of the crunching ice beneath my bike and was in my element riding through each frozen puddle. It's the little things LoL.

Just under 10 miles done, I was starting to feel the cold, in my thumbs funnily enough so decided to head home. I now have a hanging front brake to inspect and those forks, just in case they aren't working as they should.

 

Cycle everyday for a year in 2021

 

Hi everyone

So following on from last year's epic fail, what with this virus and all I have been thinking of something worthwhile to do for this year. Last year 2020 I cycled every day for the whole of the year. It was a routine I got into to try and help keep me sane and also to relieve the boredom whilst shielding for the best part of 7 months.




I now find myself shielding once more, so I am going to continue to ride. This is where you could help me out a little. There is a Foundation named Arctic ONE who I am guessing many of you will not have heard of. Arctic ONE is very close to my heart as they have supported me in the past and have continued to support many other people both able-bodied and disabled over the years in achieving their goals with a fantastic Forward motion grant system. So if you would like to help me to help them that would be awesome and greatly appreciated.

If you would like to know more about the Arctic ONE Foundation why not pop over to www.arctic1.co.uk or do a search on Facebook...

 

Link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

Pay it forward

A few days ago I was contacted via Youtube by a lady who had seen one of my Youtube videos. She wrote asking for advice on how to set up and use the Bartlett Tendon in order to be able to pedal foot over foot out of the saddle.

Now I know those of you reading who have not had an above-knee amputation will think it's no big deal, it's easy right? You just hop on your bike and when you feel like it just get up off your saddle and let your legs do the work, pumping away and gaining speed.



Well for an above knee amputee without the correct prosthetic knee, which to be honest are few and far between it is pretty difficult if not impossible. When you lose a leg your whole body dynamics are changed, you no longer have a long lever as in bones, you lack muscles, ligaments and tendons. So in order to be able to ride as close to as "normal" as possible a specifically designed sporting prosthetic is required. This is where the Bartlett Tendon Knee (BTK) comes into its own.

Brian Bartlett the designer of the BTK has continued in his development and as time has gone on the knee has become more and more advanced and user friendly. Lots of research and development has gone into getting the prosthetic to the stage it is at now and Brian has worked tirelessly and I have to say not for profit but to offer people something that actually works.

Brian knows only to well the frustrations of being told "you can no longer do that" and for him, that was just not an option. So he set about on his mission all those years ago to design and have manufactured something that would enable both himself and end-users a product that would replicate as much as possible the natural physical movement of a human leg when used in various sports, cycling being one of those.

Going back to the lady who reached out to me. It was very difficult to write to someone and try to explain just what to do in order to be able to set about riding out of the saddle. I have over the years tried helping many people with technique and setup, however, unless you can actually do a one to one session and demonstrate like I say it's difficult to put down in words.

The basic setup of the knee, things like air pressure in the shock, rebound damping and compression can be explained. What settings to have cam's on etc, but as mentioned actually riding is something that has to be practised, felt and learnt.

Whilst chatting with the lady in question I learnt that she was using an older version of the Bartlett Tendon Knee. This was the version with the receivers placed onto the socket and the pinned Cam's. She explained that she could pedal comfortably and stand with flat pedals but couldn't stand and pedal, foot over foot.

Her setup was 2 soft tendons in the 2nd cam position, and about 70 or 80 psi in Rockshox RT3 shocker. She also mentioned she weighed about 130 pounds and that she had the Rebound all the way up.

After reading her message I knew I had to familiarise myself with the older version of the Bartlett Tendon, you see I have been using the newer BTK Crossover which is a completely different animal.

Anyhoo in order to get to grips with the older knee involved quite the adventure, you see Ern, my pops had decided to not only put my old knee up in our loft but also dismantle the whole thing. I had a very scary job of retrieving all the bits by climbing our skinny, wobbly loft ladder, harder than you think when wearing a prosthetic leg and not being able to feel where your foot is, plus making sure my knee was locked upon each step. Wor Kyle waited at the bottom of the steps to gather all the components. Once passed down another scary venture down the ladders.

I had to then assemble the BTK, and attach it to an old socket which I reckon I hadn't worn in like 2 years. Overall the job didn't take too long and I was really surprised that I pretty much got the alignment sorted on my first go.

I put all the settings of the knee to there basics, no air pressure in, no pins in the cams, soft tendons and I had a little tinker with the rebound deciding to try the knee on 5 clicks which is halfway. I then jumped on my road bike set up in my turbo Trainer and went for a little blast.

Wow, the older BTK felt so different to my Crossover, so much so at first, I thought I had set it up incorrectly. However, after a little spinning then selecting the correct gears on my bike I was soon up and standing out of my saddle and pedalling foot over foot. It didn't look pretty, this being down to not adjusting the whole prosthetic correctly. I had not measured my pylon for height, or adjusted toe in or out and aligned the socket to the knee perfectly, however, I was pretty happy that I could do a little demo of the technique used.

I used my GoPro set up on the end of my bed and shot a short video in 2 clips which I then edited together, added some music and hey presto something that hopefully was a lot more informative than writing a long message.

For anyone reading this you will see I titled it "Pay it forward". This is an important message as it relates to all those people and more that have helped support me over the years. Far too many to mention, however, you know who you are. To name but a few Brian Bartlett, Pace Rehabilitation, Arctic ONE and my dear old dad who has always supported me in my challenges, even though I can be quite challenging at times LoL...

Thank You

If you enjoy walking,rowing, running, swimming or cycling why not join in and get that feel good factor.

 

Summer is approaching and many of you will be out enjoying the great outdoors, whether this is going for scenic walks, attempting to get that beach body by going for a run, or maybe enjoying a nice cool swim or a ride in the country, taking in all the beautiful sights and sound that come with being outside and a warmer time of year.


If so why don't you join in with Arctic ONE's Summer of Sport? It is a great opportunity to discover a Foundation you may never have heard of before. A Foundation that is very transparent and as you follow them upon their page you can actually see where the money you help support them with goes.
 
Each year Arctic ONE attempts to raise enough funds so that they can go on to provide support and assistance to a wide variety of individuals and groups, both able-bodied and disabled. They do this with a grant system, which they call their " Forward Motion Grant". Anyone can apply for this grant who is taking part in some sort of sport. You can find out the details upon their page. All they ask in return is that you help spread the word and help the Foundation grow. The more money raised the more people who can be assisted in taking part in what they love to do.
 
Please find below the link to details of entering Arctic ONE's Summer of Sport. I know everyone and their dog is asking for charitable donations, however, I believe giving to this Foundation is very different as you become part of a family and if you are in turn needing help at some point you can apply for a grant and the guys over at Arctic ONE will definitely look at your application. They have helped people up and down the country with some great projects.

So if you are going to be doing stuff in summer, why not do it and at the same time help out Arctic ONE. Oh and don't worry, if you decide to give they won't be knocking on your door, sending you spam emails and expecting you to donate each month. It is an opportunity to get involved, a one of payment and you can check out either their Facebook Page or website at your leisure and see how things are going and just what your support is supporting people to do. 

Arctic ONE Summer of Sport

Cheers Guys
 

When your socket fits, you can just crack on...

       After yesterdays swim, today seemed like a good excuse to take one of my bikes out and try out my brand new Pace Rehabilitaion socket alongside my BTK Crossover. You have probably heard me say this before. I am very fortunate to be supported by Pace. It's as simple as my Blog title "When your socket fits, you can just crack on". It makes a huge difference to every aspect of your day. There is nothing worse than being sore and uncomfortable all day, to the point you just cannot wait to get your limb off. Or worse still you are unable to wear a limb at all. It not only affects you physically but also mentally. So being provided with something that helps me get the job done, whether in work or play, makes me feel as I say very fortunate and appreciative.

Always hard to capture myself riding...dam it cut me heed off LoL

Say a Little Prayer

A short Blog, with a few pictures. Just a there and back, completing roughly 30 miles.
 
Basically got ready and out the door and headed up past Consett on the C2C and going to Waskerley Way.

Saying a little prayer

Christmas Day Bimble...depleting my battery

Normally today is a work day and as such my alarm went off at 06:45am. I awoke and had the inital thought to just roll over and hide under my warm quilt. My little internal voice then kicked in, prodding me into action.

Over at the coast, pleased I had my Arctic One Buff

I had to put my prosthetic leg on wonky, as I knew if I popped it on aligned for walking, once I got out on the bike I would be in agony, as the socket tends to rub on my hip. I pre-empted the rub and placed a couple of Mepilex Borders on my hip. I knew exactly where to place them as my last ride out, last Saturday my socket had rubbed a few wear marks in my skin.
 
I sorted my riding gear and my old Faithful Canon Power Shot SX200, my thinking, well lately all my photo's have been shocking. At least with the small Canon I have a lot more control. To be fair todays ride was more about seeing what the battery was like on my new Specialized Turbo Levo, rather than heading out and taking shots.

Early in the morning near the River Wear and the New Bridge at Sunderland

I had to take it easy going down our stairs as due to rotating my socket, my foot was now very Charlie Chaplain'esque. Once in the kitchen I removed my Rheo XC and popped my BTK Crosover in it's place. A few more bits and bobs out of the cupboard, my helmet, new Seal Skin Gloves and of course helmet. I decided to take my small Camelbak "Fanny Pack". I had bought it earlier in the year and as yet had never used it. Have to say very impressed with it's stowage capabilities and it is very comfortable to wear. Not only that it is great for getting to things quickly as you do not have to take it off. Money well spent.

Cracking bit of kit

I gathered my bike, popped a single ear bud in my ear and selected play on my Mp3 player. There's quite a few varied tunes on there and quite often I sing along to them as I ride. Thank god I had had the hindsight to bring my Arctic ONE Buff as Jeez it was freezing out, quite literally. There was a covering of white frost on both of my cars as I went out into our yard. Yeah I definitely should have put my leg warmer on as I have to say I was cold all day.
 
My little Leyzne Zecto Drive Lights are another purchase I have not regretted and I switched these on to both guide the way and help me to be seen. I headed up the farmers trail, as this is probably the easiest way for me to get on to the C2C. I had it in my head to go down to Sunderland and the coast and then loop back around via South Shields, up to Whitemare Pool roundabout, then cut up by Springwell and Wreckington, before branching off for Birtley and back on to the C2C and home and this is what I did.

The ride down was a nice and steady one, my bike being in "eco mode". In fact I kept my bike on this setting for almost the whole loop.

Proper muddy over by the cliff edge, lovely the sun shining off the water

I was really enjoying the ride. I was still getting a work out, however the motor was assisting me where I needed it. Well that was until about 5 to 7 or so miles from home. My fuel/battery light had dropped to 2 bars. So at this point I stopped and went into my Mission Control app and found the Smart Control. I then judged how far I had to go and set it in the app. Man the last  5 to 6 miles on the way up from Birtley on the C2C were proper hard. I think I only had something like 10% assistance and this gradually dropped and dropped. My fitness is not on top form at the moment either. Months off the bikes and a nasty chest infection a month or so ago so I was proper struggling with my own natural engine. I had to dig deep, drop to a low gear and slowly move all 21.5 kgs of bike up the gradual incline. As I got to Beamish and Beamish Hills there was no battery left at all, so I had no other option but to get off and push for a little while. Once in No Place I was able to hit the off road trail which leads back on to the farmers trail and gradually came to the top of the hill and a nice rally down the trail.

All in all done 45.7 miles according to Strava with 1,935ft of climbing. I am seriously considering looking at getting a bigger 700 watt battery as apparently it will give me an extra 40% range.

Blowing away the cobwebs

Went out for a little bimble on my Silverback Synergy Fat this morning. Man it was colder than I anticipated. I wouldn't care I even checked the weather and it said "sunny" with temps around 13 degrees. Upon checking my Go Pro footage it looks very muted and at the start quite dark. The sun did not really burn through this morning and so the sky looked dull and grey.


 
Really all I wanted to do was head out and get a bit of fresh air. Due to this long standing cough I have had I really struggle on a morning. You would think I was a 40 a day man. 

Ern has tried sorting the top edge of my socket out, however after only 10 or so minutes of riding I could feel the socket biting into the top of my thigh and hip. I am now sporting a proper red and sore stump, so will have to take it easy tomorrow so that I am in shape for work on Sunday. Unless you are an amputee I guess it is hard to understand the constant battle, along with frustration of having to try and make the best of a bad situation. Of course everyone has their own personal battles, some of which I will not have any comprehension of.
 
Anyhoo rather than focus on all the negatives, it's good to be able to say "I got out".
 
I bumped into one of our old neighbours whilst out. It is so long since I saw Karen, that I actually got her mixed up with one of the community nurses who used to come and see me, back in the day. We reminisced and I reckon the last time I had seen her was when I lived over at South Moor. We left there when I was 18 so that is roughly 32 years ago.

Oh almost forgot, a little challenge I am doing this year is for my friends over at Arctic ONE. It's called Arctic ONE's Summer of Fun. All you have to do is donate £10 and then over a set period record your activity and achieve the goals set by Arctic ONE. This can be running, walking, swimming or cycling. To find out more information why not visit  Arctic ONE on Facebook or go to their website www.arctic1.co.uk to see the fantastic work they do. All funds will go towards the grant system that Arctic ONE provides. A very worthy cause indeed.

Wearing my band with pride

Arctic ONE

I only got a few pics with my mobile phone today, have to say I am very impressed with the camera. I have not edited any of the shots, they are just as they came from the mobile camera itself.

Silverback Synergy Fat

They have cleared all the beautiful trees :(

Been asked to take part in an article for Silverback Bikes

On Tuesday I was contacted by Silverback Bikes Brand Communications Specialist, Temarah. You see I am an ambassador for Silverback Bikes, having got my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike way back in 2016. Temarah went on to explain that she had seen some footage of me riding my bike using my prosthetic sports knee, the BTK Crossover and she wanted to know would I been interested in doing a short feature for Silverback's Media Centre.

Love the Silverback Synergy Fat design, carbon front triangled frame

This involved answering a few questions to get a background, things like when I started riding, how I came to become an amputee and the journey I have been on since. Including how I came to start off on the Bartlett Tendon and involving the tremendous support I have had along the way. Of course when writing a blog such as this I have to mention my Good friends over at Pace Rehabilitation, Brian Bartlett, Fabtech Sytems and The Arctic ONE Foundation. All of whom have played a part in my life and adventures.

BTK Crossover, just needed aligning

Temarah, also asked would it be possible for me to get some new footage that Silverback could use upon their media centre. So I decided to do that today. I explained to Temarah that I am just starting to get back out there. As many of you who enjoy reading my blog will have noticed I have neglected it somewhat. On reflection I can look back over the last couple of years and see I have had a bit of a nightmare health wise. At first when I started my cancer treatment I thought "hey there is nowt to this", however as time progressed man I was feeling more and more wiped out. Like proper chronic fatigue. It's funny it wasn't until just the other day when one of my good friends and work colleagues Jennifer said in general conversation "Glenn you have been really poorly for sometime", that I actually took it in. You see I tend to be one of those people that beat themselves up and won't give myself a break. I didn't think of myself as being ill, more like I was being lazy and I had lost motivation.


Never mind I turned down my last treatment and have had good news today from my cancer specialist nurse, she rang me whilst I was riding up our bank, so I was quite out of breath. I grabbed my phone and she informed me everything looks good on my CT scan.


I continued up the bank to John my mates house and after he got his bairn sorted with her Gran, we set off. Continuing up the bank and heading off towards East Stanley, with the plan to head down to Beamish woods.


Once in Beamish woods it didn't take me long to figure out my Crossover was all out of alignment. I had had to swap my new socket out for a much bigger old one, the other week as my residual limb has gained so much volume, another word for getting fat. Anyhoo I didn't have the best tools in my backpack so had to ring Ern to get assistance. 20 minutes or so later Ern rocked up with some decent allen keys and we were able to align my knee and foot a tad better. Only problem being the bolt for my pylon and foot wasn't the best so my foot was still out of skew a bit.

My bud John

Coming down the trail

Cracking day

John and I rode up through the woods chatting as we went. Finally we got to where we thought would make a good start. The video only had to be around 1:30 long. Got some nice footage as the sun was out and it didn't take long at all. Bit gutted as the final bit of recording didn't appear on my memory card. This was the bit where John and I were acting like little kids playing in the ford. Tell you what it was proper slippy and we both almost fell off.

Off the back of the bike with the Crossover

Close up of the Crossover flexed

John playing in the stream

John having a right hoot

Man it was slippery coming across the ford

Splish Splash

Where we come from

Managed to grab a few pics today. The ride home was torture. When I say ride I will admit I cheated a little and had to push my bike up the Shepherd and Shepherdess bank, even when I am fit that bank is a killer.