A little bit of assistance

What a day to introduce my new bike to some local trails. It's absolutely filthy, hacky and dirty out there, plus due to being over wrapped up last week I decided to cut back on the layers and ended up be rather chilly today

Out on my New Ride Specialized Turbo Levo

John doesn't need a motor LoL

So first impressions of this new fangled Specialized Turbo Levo which I got from the very friendly people over at Rutland Cycles and their Specialized Concept Store in Nottingham. It's canny! In "eco mode" it kind of brings back a recollection of what it used to feel like riding with 2 legs. The bike enables me to bimble along at a nice pace and keep up with my mates. I was not sure I had made the right choice in getting the size XL, however after a proper run out today the bike feels good under me. Using my BTK Crossover I have to say getting up and out of the saddle is effortless. I know not much to all you "Norms", however for us one legged blokes riding out the saddle takes a bit of practice. Especially to maintain your pedal revolutions and even more so if attempting to ride up an incline.

It was proper manky over on Chapman's Well

Not being entirely used to an eBike, it did take me a little amount of time to get used to the bike. I discovered on my first encounter with a steepish climb that I was in fact in a high gear and pretty much motoring up the incline. This was in "Eco Mode" too. Now normally I would be on either my granny ring or on the 11 speed Fatty in the lowest gear possible. I was still a little out of breath after the ride up past South Moor Golf Club and onto Wagtail Lane and that is because I did not want the bike to do all the work.

BTK and Bike preforming well together

In trail mode the bike is awesome, especially in the muddy areas I encountered and believe me there were lots. Due to the motor kicking in, it just gave me that little bit extra drive so that I didn't come to a stand still and then have to put my foot down.

 
Other than experimenting for a short blast in Turbo mode, to see what it was like I did not use this mode much at all today. I noticed in Turbo the motor cutting out, once I had reached the 15.5mph. Oh and I also tried pedalling with the motor off all together. It is weird as once you have been using the motor and pedal assist and you switch it off, it is like riding a bike with a flat tyre and you really feel the weight of the bike. Speaking of weight, you definitely notice it, for instance before getting to the trails I had to pop the front wheel up over a kerb. This sort of caught me off guard as the front end feels proper heavy. I suppose it's like anything else just getting used to it. On the trails the bike feels pretty planted, not sure of the tyres at this point too early to say. They did feel a bit better than my Maxxis Mammoths, which are fitted to my Fat Bike, they just offer no traction at all.
  

Set my camera up then had to push...man it was slippy

I was out with my friends Lee and John today and really enjoyed the adventure,  it's great to not have to beast myself to keep up and now that I am sat at home I don't feel wrecked. I know a lot of people bash the whole electric bike scene, as I have mentioned before, however it's horses for courses.

Moving on may as well leave you with a moan, yeah it's the whole camera thing again. It must be something to do with the bad weather as my shots recently have almost always come out either blurry, dark, grainy or generally just not up to standard. I have messed with setting etc, but once again it's a kind of fail. It is really difficult trying to take photo's when you are out and by yourself. The downside of the Hero 5 is that it does not have a timer on. Oh and I tried voice control today, however my GoPro once in it's protective case must not have been able to hear me. No amount of "GOPRO TAKE A PHOTO" was going to work. In the end it was more a case of "Awww GoPro Feck Off". I see the new Hero 7 has a few more features including a timer and also the photo quality is supposed to be better without messing with lots of settings. May have to invest.

After a few months off

After a few months off of not turning a crank on any of my bikes, today I finally  got out. Have to say in my old age becoming a "fair weather rider" is becoming more an more tempting, man it was cold this morning. Of course I prepared for the elements, however I think I over did it as once I got going with my pal John, it was a case of "Omg I'm Melting".

Lifting my bike over the gate at The Farmers trail

John on His Cube

My dear old dad, or "The Ern" as I lovingly call him had treat me to a new pair of Seal Skin gloves and also a pair of Grab Grip thermal/waterproof leg warmers. Talking about the leg warmers it always annoys me that I have to buy the pair when I only actually use one. My poor old stump, contained in it's silcone liner and surrounded by my socket just has to freeze. Upon each of my adventurers in the chilly weather it is blue upon my return and appears to take ages to heat up.
 
I had discusssed with John earlier in the week about heading out, saying I didn't have plans for an epic ride as I am just so unconditioned. Once more I find myself in the position of just getting out and starting from scratch then gradually building up my fitness, main thing is I am back in the saddle and enjoying some fresh air.
 

"Oh Farmer Trail I have missed you so". Yeah that is the way we headed. It was a combination of real thick mud and ground frost. The large puddles we encountered were glazed over with a sheet of ice. I love the sound of my tires crunching the ice, it is very satisfying to me. Pedaling up the Farmers Trail it felt like my lungs were on fire and ffs why did I put all these layers on along with my Primaloft Jacket oh and Race Face Nano to top it off.

Our plans were to head into Beamish woods and just have a little play around. Jeez once in the woods I swear some of the mudded areas were waist deep. I had taken my Silverback Synergy Fat and John was on his new Cube Nutrail Fat. 

BTK Crossover

Checking out the GoPro on my Mobile phone

Setting up the camera

I have to say I am not to enamoured with the Maxxis Mammoths I have fitted, where as John's Schwalbe Jumbo Jims appeared to be cpoping much better in the thick gloop. John made a lovely comment at one point as we were both struggling to cope with the trail and thick mud, saying "your balance is a lot better than mine". I explained I had to practice a lot, as if I goto fall off on my right side, well that is it I just go. No stopping me as I am clipped in and cannot get my BTK Crossover down quick enough.
 

Messing around with photo's

Every now and then when we came to a nice spot John and I grabbed a photo oportunity. Have to say not to impressed with the quality of the shots today, whilst using both my little Lumix and GoPro Hero 5. Not sure if it was because it was very cold and foggy in places or if I had the settings on manual and messed up. It was also pretty dark in areas and as the GoPro has no flash, well it tends to over compensate in other areas. I am really fancying a new GoPro Hero 7 as heard good reports, it's just they bring a new one out every year and well they are canny expensive. I'll have a fiddle with my 5 as it is still going strong, just ordered some new batteries as my old ones are not holding there charge. £20 for three plus a charger from Amazon, so not too bad.

John looks even more Gimpy than me in this shot, what the hells going on with your ankle dude?

Caked and no grip

Far better dealing with the mud the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims

John

 All in all a very enjoyable ride out, well when I say ride I also did a fair bit of pushing as I was knackered on the hills and if you know the Stanley area, you will know we have plenty of them.

Messing around

John and I

I rode the same way home, this time coming down the Farmers Trail, just as I got to the gate at the end of the trail and dismounted my bike, my good foot slipped down the side of the path way, as it was so muddy. There was this huge puddle, more like the size of a small pond actually. I couldn't un clip my BTK  and I toppled over going sploosh straight in this freezing cold puddle with bits of ice floating in it. I rode home as quick as I could through the estate and when I got home Ern helped me with my soaking wet things and in evacuating all the water which had filled up my prosthetic foot. Everything is now in the wash and I have had a lovely bath, putting in some Epsom Salts as I was Baltic.

The joys of cycling... Much better than sitting in the house, although I am proper tired I feel better about myself. That little bit exercise really does get the old endorphins going and helps you feel positive. I love the outdoors and taking in all the wonderful sights and colours particularly at this time of year. The fallen leaves strewn along some of the trails in the forest were beautiful. And the Coot Pond looked amazing as ice had formed and was glistening in the sunshine. Even met some friendly walkers and had a bit of a chit chat.

Johns bike over at the Coot pond

The pond looked amazing with the bits of ice and sunshine

OK

Ok off to get food...

Sitting on the fence...do I or don't I

My last post, looking back was the 5th of October 2018, this is due to the fact my immune system has been under attack yet again and I have been feeling quite unwell. More anti-biotics, this time for a terrible chest infection that has had me out of action for going on 6 weeks.

Anyhoo not hear to bore you with my tales of woe. Nope I am here to let you know about why I have been sitting on the fence, with regards getting a new bike.

Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Comp XL 2019

When you think the universe is conspiring against you

It has been quite some time since I had a ride out on the Fat Bike, well one of them.  It has been a case of just when I think I am feeling ok I get a sniffle, which leads to a cough, then my throat and ears start acting up. I can always tell when I am going to come down with something as I get an itch in one of my ears, then earache and then this horrendous throat. I never used to be like this, it's just since having all that horrible treatment.
 
Anyhoo I am not going to let a measly sore throat stop me from going out. So plans were for today, pop on my spiffing new  Icon Shorts and Jersey alongside my new Icon Back Pack and head out for a spin on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike.

Liking my new matching Icon kit

 At the moment I am really struggling socket wise. My last BTK socket which I received from Pace Rehab is no longer fitting. Due to the fact I have not been riding and I have been eating way to much chocolate and Moams I am basically a fat git. Something needs to be done hence starting to motivate myself to get out on the bike and get into a regular routine. Also aiming to get back into swimming now my immunity is a little more on track.

Getting back to the socket situation. As I desperately wanted to go out I decided to try and use my everyday socket alongside my BTK Crossover with new Integrated Cams. I initially thought everything was ok, may be a little tight on my hip, however after about a mile I experienced severe chaffing right on my hip, resulting in a skinned area....Ouch!. Unwilling to give in I about turned and rode home, thinking may be I could rotate the socket and knee a little. This appeared to do the trick, it wasn't quite as sore and I proceeded to head out on my adventure.

I rode over to South Moor and headed for the Black Path, leading up to Langley View , where the old brick flats used to be. Man I could sure tell I had not been out on the bike in like ages. Last time I ventured up this way I believe was in my last blog entry and that was on my electric bike. I rode up in top gear and was not out of breath at all, just shows how much the ebike helps you with. I used to consider them cheating, however now consider them a great tool for just having an enjoyable jaunt out. No need to beast yourself and they are great if you are may be not as fit as you were or struggle riding longer distances.

At the top of the black path, named because it used to be black, obviously. Sure I have mentioned this before. There used to be huge coal slag heaps and the coal dust made the path way black. There is now a sign post, which indicates what is called the South Moor Heritage Trail.

South Moor Heritage Trail

 I turned left at the sign and headed downward towards what is called Shield Row Drift Mine. I do not know enough about the area, or as to why the mine was called Shield Row. I mean Shield Row is way off over the other side of Stanley. May be someone who reads this and is in the know could explain.

Ahhhhggggg there is a geet big hole

As I approached the "drift" as we used to call it I branched of right and headed through the woodland. This has been cut back in certain areas and just does not look as pretty at all. Sure it will grow back, well hope it does as it is a nice route, with all the wild flowers and trees. As I headed along the winding path I kind of felt my rear end feeling a bit sketchy. Upon closer inspection I thought I had a puncture. " Awww crap" Typical, new back pack on and in my haste to get out didn't put any real gear in. It has been ages since I had a puncture, Grrrrr dodgy socket, sore hip and throat and now a puncture. Never mind I was not going to let it dampen my mood. I thought "It's not the universe conspiring against me it's just plain old physics and nothing that couldn't be sorted, especially the puncture as I have a secret weapon, he's called "The Ern". My dad is a bit like the RAC or AA, but exclusively for me. One quick phone call and we arranged to meet up at Quakies and the bus turning circle. I rode frantically to get there before my tire was proper flat.

Super Ern

When Ern arrived not long after we had a quick examination of my tire and couldn't really see any thorns or stuff that may have caused the tire to deflate. So Ern just used our track pump to pop a bit of air in my tire and off I went on my merry way. Of course I gave my dad a farewell hug as well he is a bit of a star when it comes to doing stuff for me.

  

Wild ponies, they won't come to the fence, the cows on the other hand

Checking out the cows who were checking out me

Yoooo Hooooo

I then continued to have a nice tootle around Chapman Wells Nature reserve, planning my route so that I would take in the off road, rocky uphill route. I just wanted to have a go at doing a bit of gentle climbing, it is good to get the old lungs working and will aid in me becoming fit and hopefully getting rid of this unwanted Shwalbe, Maxxis or whatever other tire you would like to refer to it by around my gut. Mind you I take offence at being called a Michelin man.

Out the saddle up a canny hill, with loads of small rocks

Trying to get a bit traction

Does my bum look big in these shorts?

At the top of Wilka's bank a lovely rally down the steep hill "Wheeeee", then up the other side of the Moor. I decided to pop in to the Haven Community Centre and see if some of the people I used to visit when I was doing my voluntary walk group were there. And yes indeed they were. I was invited in for a lovely cup of tea and a bit of a catch up which was smashing.

Back on the bike I headed up the back of South Moor passing my old school Greenlands. There is a bit of a debate going on as someone has tried applying for planning permission to make it into a 109 bed hostel. Not a good idea for the community as there are already a lot of outsiders and riff raff ruining poor South Moor. It appears to be a dumping ground for undesirables. I was pretty much brought up in South Moor and still have fond memories, so seeing it's demise is very sad.


Once at the top of the South Moor, and at  the "Arch" again I don't know why it is called this, always just has been. I turned towards Stanley, a place I affectionately call Mordor and headed down the front street. It is Market day on a Thursday and it always appears to be busy. From there it was a ride through underground tunnel and onto Wear Road, down the Bank to Durham Road and home. My tire appeared to have stayed up, will check it tomorrow and see if it is a slow puncture.

My Buzzraw has arrived

"Buzzraw" You may be thinking, "what the hell is a Buzzraw". Well it's a unique, funky, somewhat retro styled bike, some may even say a scooter (How dare you)  I prefer the term bike, as a scooter to me is one of those little things that you kind of push along with one foot and I once had a bad experience as a kid, on one of those when I face planted and got gravel rash.

Coast Cycles Buzzraw in Coast Blue

Just messing around in the woods

Today's adventure out with John on the bikes was a short one. I am having a few problems with socket fit, kind of changed shape once again so my socket feels rather tight. Not to worry everything is in place to get sorted by the amazing team over at Pace Rehabilitation. Really don't know where I would be right now without the support of these guys. Definitely not jumping around and acting like a teenager in the woods that is for sure.

Man why do I have to live in such a hilly area. No matter which direction I go, here in jolly old Mordor there is a hill. Hey Ho back up the farmers trail we go.

As John and I set off up the Farmers Trail we were followed by a combined harvester and two tractors one of which was pulling a large trailer. We pulled over to the side and let them all get past and they headed up to start work in the nearby wheat field.

John heading up the Farmers Trail

Mid way up the farmers trail

Beautiful sky

John had been talking of seeing one of our friends on Facebook, Mark Peterson and all the cool pictures Mark had been putting on. Saying "I would like to go somewhere and have a play at maybe jumping off some stuff". Although we have beautiful surroundings, like woods and countryside I couldn't really think of anywhere to errr "Jump off stuff". I then remembered this little place down Beamish woods. Funnily enough it is where I actually attempted my first little jump on a bike after receiving my BTK way back in 2009.

Checkout the facials LoL

I had been loaned a Transition Blindside and man I can remember having a wide range of emotions going on. Everything from being real excited to absolutely bricking it. I mean I had never jumped anything since I was a nipper and as I was just getting back to cycling and the use of the Bartlett Tendon at the time well it was very nerve racking. It's kind of a weird feeling strapping what is essentially a bucket with an artificial knee joint and then relying on 2 elastic bands to be there when you take off and land. Obviously the BTK and especially the latest incarnation the BTK Crossover have so much more technology and design put into them, but never the less it was and in a way still is a leap of faith. No matter what you pop on to replace a lost limb, there is still the fact there is nothing quite like your own bits...So look after them and appreciate them people.

BTK Crossover

Knee in hyper extension, not good

Anyhoo we arrived at Beamish Woods and I showed John the little jump. "Ok you go first" John said. Yeah I could see what he was thinking, "you have a go and if you fall off I think I'll pass lol". So we set up the GoPro and just started messing around.

Eventually John says "Ok I'm ganna have a gan". He pushes his bike up the hill and gets to the top and says "Bloody hell it looks steeper from up here like". I tell John, "you might want to drop your seat down. I mean you don't want to catch your nuts if...ahem! I mean when you land". John is cautious his first time down the hill, but enjoys it so much he attempts it a good few times, gradually getting faster and gaining confidence. We probably stayed there a good hour and had a blast, so much fun.

Coming through Beamish woods

Following on we rode through a bit of wood I had never been through until we came to this massive steep hillside that was proper rooted and gnarly. I couldn't see all the way down through the tress so wasn't sure what it would be like to ride down. There were 3 young lads at the top, so I said to them "What's it like going down?" Too which I got the reply "It's canny steep like mate". "Mmmm decisions, decisions"," Awww screw it" I just went for it. Fuck me it was steeper than I thought lol At one point I felt I was going to go over the bars. Just when I thought I was at the bottom, the trail turned and there was an even steeper bit. No stopping now, arse hanging over the back wheel, thank god I had put my Rock Shock Monarch on the highest  flexion resistance, as this allowed me to fully flex my Crossover and control my bike. Last thing I wanted was to be too far forward with a hyper extended knee, recipe for disaster. Once at the bottom, man did I feel like the cat that got the cream, a big grin all over my face. I know for an everyday mountain bike rider this would just be a walk in the park, however for me when I think back to when I first had my amputation I couldn't keep my balance on my bike and would fall off on the flat, in my garden. John congratulated me on my descent after deciding it was way too steep for him to have a go at and he pushed his bike cautiously down the trail.

A grand morning playing

My mate John

 As we rode on the trail became more familiar and I knew we would have an epic climb back up towards home. Once we started climbing out of the woods, coming up the back of Beamish on the road towards the South Causey I could feel my stump feeling like it was going to explode. Man so fatigued and my hip was killing me. I had been riding today with more resistance in my tendons as Paul my prosthetist over at Pace  had relocated my receivers, as well as me putting my old tendons in place and then around 40psi in the shock. It's like riding, then doing a whole separate work out as you ride. I should probably have thought on and reduced the pressure in my shock and put the cams on an easier setting for the rest of the ride home. It's weird after all these years riding with the BTK and now the Crossover I am still learning what are the best settings for what ever I am doing. I had never really used the Highest flexion resistance setting, until chatting to another user and friend Jude. Jude does a lot of Down hill and I was interested to hear about how he sets up his knee, using the Shock on max resistance and to my surprise a relatively low amount of pressure in the can.

So only 7.1 miles or so covered today and lots of pain, but man it was so much fun and for me that is what it is all about.