Many of you may not have heard of The Arctic ONE Foundation I am not sure how I became aquainted with the charity to be honest, whether they discovered me or I discovered them. Thinking back I may have been introduced to Matt Kirby and Bex Stubbings, two of the leading representitives of Arctic ONE when I was being supported by the lovely people over at what was then Pace Rehabilitation. This was way back in 2014.
Anyhoo from my point of view with dealings with the lovely people over at Arctic ONE what I like about the foundation is their transparency, their passion and how they treat everyone equally, striving to offer support where they can. Arctic ONE makes you feel like part of a big family, and friendships are formed.
We believe that Everyone should have the chance to be active. We set up Arctic One to provide opportunities to people with disabilities to get involved in sport through our grants system, our events and training days and through working with other charities to provide resources and raise awareness
I have probably mentioned at some point that my old Generation2 Hybrid Crossover Knee that I use for cycling is about knackered.
Worn in the top mount
Proper clunking and the circlip keeps popping due to wear
A new knee, works out at about £7500 to £7800 by the time I got it shipped here and paid import duty/taxes. I am no longer supported by various people/companies/clinics, not because I have stopped riding, its just a sign of the times and what with me getting older I guess I am no longer seen as an inspiration or have anything to offer in order to promote stuff and get away with being supported.
That said I don't want people to think this is a post whining on about not getting free support and meeting any prosthetic needs, far from it, I am eternally grateful to every single person, company, clinic and indeed charity/foundation that has helped me follow my passion. I can honestly say I probably would have given up long ago if I had not had these people in my corner.
Now it is time to I guess go it alone as it were. After considerable thought and saving like hell I have been able to get the funds together, not to buy a new Generation 3 Infinity Knee, but to purchase a refurbished knee.
This means I will be able to continue riding in all the various forms I enjoy, and once I get these health worries out of the way I have some plans to get out, do more bike packing, more adventures, more photography and videos and more creative content for my blog.
G3 Infinity Knee
I needed to sort this knee out as I really do need something to look to in the future. I have been so stressed this last 6 weeks as something just doesn't feel right with me. Even though I have been real poorly I have continued to cycle using my clunky worn out Bartlett Tendon Knee on my Turbo trainer. I have now been riding consecutive days for 4 years and 5 months. Generally only around 30 minutes per day, this year, however man it has been tough these last few weeks. I absolutely refuse to give in though, so here is to onwards and upwards.
Hopefully my new bike will be here in July and everything health wise sorted.
Everything pre-sorted the night before for this mornings mini adventure. To be honest when I checked the weather yesterday I wasn't sure I would be heading out for a ride with John & Peter, I'm getting soft in my old age.
I messaged John telling him I would have a look out my window early on and make a decision based on A. The weather and B. If I could be arsed. Anyhoo I was up relatively early, peered out of the window and thought it didn't look bad and I felt up for it.
I had already chosen my weapon of choice, and as such had fitted the tendons to my Bartlett Tendon. I had decided to take my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. My other bikes are in need of some TLC, my old Ibis is a bit of a dog and needs pulling out of the shed and servicing. My Sandman Hoggar, which I love hasn't been used in a while either. Not sure I would have got all the way around on that bike, as man the Surly Tires fitted drag like hell. My Orbea Gain gravel bike wasn't suitable for where we planned, so it came down to the trusty Silverback Fat. You see now that I am down to 6 bikes it's very clear I need to restock my stable so that I have a choice dependent on conditions and what I intend to do LoL.
And to that I am still on the fence about a Santa Cruz Heckler SL and recently I have been looking at an Orbea Laufey H-LTD 2024 which is an analogue 29'er.
Orbea Laufey H-LTD 2024
As I mentioned the tyres on My Sandman I may as well tell you about the Shwalbe's fitted to the Silverback. These are absolutely terrible in the mud, how I never fell off today is just pure luck as I was sliding and loosing traction all over.
On to todays mini mud fest. Well 9:00 am arrived and no John or Peter. There I was waiting outside and trying to see up the bank, the fog becoming thicker in the 10 minutes I stood waiting. John then called saying Peter had a puncture in his back wheel and was on trying to fix it. I took the time I was waiting as an opportunity to go across over on to the green opposite our house to clear up a black bin bag which had been left by some scuffy git, the contents strewn all over the grass, empty beer cans and pizza boxes and other various bits and bobs of rubbish. Ern came out to help and gave me a pair of gloves and one of those picky uppy thingies. After completing my community service John rang again saying Peter had now tried fixing the puncture 3 times, but it just kept going down.
Time to call on the services of Super Ern. Ern and I had a quick rummage in our shed and found two 29'er inner tubes, jumped in Ern's car and headed up to Peters. After inspecting his tyre and wheel and handing Peter one of the new inner tubes he went about installing it. "What do you mean Peter you don't have any tyre levers"? Peter then tried using two spoons. Upon going to inflate the tyre "Psssssssssss"! "Ok lets go down to ours and try the other tube down there as we have more gear"
Yay it stayed up
Down home Ern removed the tube Peter had just put in, Peter must have nipped the tube a there were two small nicks... Damn spoons. Ern and I then had a go at putting in another new tube and although it was a faff and really hard to get the tube in without being nipped, the tyre appearing to wide for the skinny little rims, we eventually managed and the tyre stayed up. Moral of the story "get some tyre levers, oh and a track pump".
Ok we were off, heading down the street and going up to the farmers trail.
Heading to No Place and then Beamish.
Farmers Trail
Me and Peter coming up the muddy farmers trail
Going into Beamish Woods and having a little play. I took John & Peter to where the jumps and berms had been put in. Quite a bit of pushing up the hills as they were slippy as hell with mud and roots.
Pleased I put my long Endura pants on today
The Stream was pretty high today
John
All the fallen leaves looked pretty
I had a quick bash at coming over one of the drop offs and John who was acting camera man with his fancy Apple phone got some decent shots today.
Beamish Woods
Love not acting my age
Useless Fat Tyres with no grip at all
Following on from Beamish and having traversed the trail at the top of the woods, we then got on to a off road section that would bring us to the main road, and we headed as if going towards Sunnyside. I was pretty tired, however just kept plodding away, until we got back on ayet another off road trail that would take us towards Tanfield Railway.
A little plays in the puddles at this point.
Nowt like playing in puddles
Don't think the old dears where impressed with me playing
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Peter having fun
Once opposite Tanfield Railway's car park, we headed along the Causey Arch Road and to the picnic area and took the trail towards Tanfield, riding along past the Industrial estate and up on to the C2C and from there home.
This burn was hand dug out and is really steep at yon side
I said my goodbyes to the lads and when I got home was he my bike. Ern and I had a Quick Look at my Race Face dropper seat post as it had been sticking throughout my ride, then. went indoors. My dad had got me an allay breakfast. I had a lovely hot shower got me clothes back on and the wolfed down the breakfast which I was really ready for.
A very enjoyable ride, even if my old bones are slightly aching a bit.
I have a few dilemmas going on, let me explain. After parting ways with my Specialized Turbo Levo eBike, which I had had for about 4 years, a bike which was a fairly trusty companion and I really enjoyed riding, well I have not replaced her.
Do I need another bike? specifically an eBike. My answer would be, "If I am going to get another bike, it most certainly would be of the electric variety".
My reasoning... Well as an above knee amputee, whilst I can ride an ordinary analogue bike, if I go out a few days in a row I find I am thoroughly knackered. Where as on an eBike I can use as little or as much assist and I am able to get out more regularly. It's not cheating as the majority of the time I rode my Specialized in Eco mode, it just kind of gave me my leg back.
Anyhoo whether to get a new bike is not the end of my dilemmas. There are a whole host of things to consider. I mean it's not just do I get an eBike, it's which one, do I go for a full power or opt for one of these new Mid Power bikes? And a big part of also getting a new ride is Wow they cost quite a few dabllons. The price of eBikes has shot up. The equivalent to my Specialized is now £1000 more expensive that when I purchased my bike. Also technology has moved on, as I see you can get bikes with wireless shifting, this being available on the AXS version of the Heckler.
I think I have it down to two candidates, either a Santa Cruz Heckler SL in Magenta and a size XL, more on the sizing in a moment or do I go for the Orbea Rise and get a model at the same price point. With the Orbea Rise you appear to get a lot more bang for your buck, and I see Orbea is offering a free range extender on some models. They come with top end kit and can be customised with colour and various parts.
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Santa Cruz Heckler SL
Orbea Rise
Orbea Rise
With the Santa Cruz bikes I think you are paying top dollar for a boutique name. That said the Santa Cruz SL has had some really good reviews and apparently is top in its class for power and range.
Back to the sizing for the Santa Cruz. I am a tad over 6 feet, so I am between sizes Large and X - Large. I popped into Start Cycles a couple of weeks ago and got the chance to see a Santa Cruz Heckler SL in all its glory. A beautiful looking bike, the model on display was a XXL. One of Starts customer advisers Rhys was on hand to have a chat about the Santa Cruz and using a neat website called Geometry Geeks, he was able to see how a Santa Cruz Nomad which they had on display in a size XL compared to the Heckler. I was then invited to have a sit on the Nomad. Whilst the Nomad felt totally different to my Specilaized, it was a fairly comfortable fit, so this helped me decide if I went for a Santa Cruz Heckler an XL would be the best fit.
Okay so why the title Chicken and the Egg. Well more dilemmas. I mean for you "Norms" out there who don't have a limb missing it's a bit more simple, just save up and go and buy a bike. However for me I need a prosthetic limb to be able to ride my bike, and I am not talking just any knee. Nope my knee of choice as anyone who reads my waffle will know is the Bartlett Tendon. My current BTK is getting on a bit and starting to snap bolts, tendons and its rattling like hell in the frame where it is wearing. I mean fair play to this knee I have been riding 1531 consecutive days, and that is just when I started keeping track, so the knee gets a lot of use.
Bartlett Tendon Infinity Knee G3
A new knee is almost the same price as a new bike, and that is not including a new socket, something else I could do with as mine at the moment is way to big and my leg keeps slipping off.
So as you can see, or rather read lol. I may be able to finance a new bike, no way I can stump up all the cash in one go, however then if my knee gives up the ghost not be able to ride it. Or I could attempt to finance a new knee, possibly socket, however then not have a nice shiny new bike.
Or I could just not buy either, sit on my ass all day and watch day time TV, feel sorry for myself and become a couch tattie. Fuck that it's just not in my Dna. Im way too proactive for that. I will continue moving forward and guess figure things out, whilst looking at bike porn online and rattling away riding on my current knee.
Proper enjoyed the first ride out of 2024. Yes it was a tad chilly, yes my prosthetic leg was constantly coming loose and annoying me, and yes I had to wear a pair of gigs because my eyesight has continued to get to the stage where if I don't wear them everything is just a blur.
I went out for a ride with my long time pal John and he introduced me to one of his friends Peter. We had discussed earlier in the week via WhatsApp where to go and decided a short venture up to Hownsgill Cafe would suit us. John hasn't ridden for about 6 months and whilst I have been riding everyday, it's generally just 30 minutes or so indoors on my turbo trainer.
Usually my prep for heading out is a case of rushing around in the morning and trying to find things I have always mislaid, however lthe night before I had prepared my stuff, so this morning was a nice relaxed, well semi relaxed, as I was aggravated and stressed over my leg not fitting sort of morning.
I had made sure my Orbea Gain eBike was full charged. Deciding to take this, as it makes life a little easier, especially as I wasn't going to be wearing tendons on my Bartlett Tendon Knee. I am down to my last 2 shouldered studs for the cams, as I have been finding they have been snapping for some reason. I didn't want to risk snapping the last ones, until some replacements have arrived. So not taking my Fat Bike and therefore having to fit the tendons and cams, was the plan. As we were just going to be riding mostly on the C2C route and no muddy woodland trails. Ern (my Dad) has measured the shouldered studs and been able to source a place on line to get some replacements, almost £60 for 10, so quite expensive So hopefully I get out with tendons on soon. I have sold my `Specialized Turbo Levo and would dearly love a new E- mountain bike, it's just they are expensive and what with having my current leg issues I think I am going to have to put future plans on hold.
A nice steady ride up Durham Road and onto Wear Road and John's, yes I cheated slightly and had the bike on Level 2, however apart from coming up the bank I didn't have the bike turned on throughout the rest of the ride. I met John at his house and he introduced me to his new wee dog "Bruno", he is a Pomee something or other breed, definitely doesn't look like a Bruno, `I think `I am going to call him Frank. Nobbling after Peter rode over and John introduced us.
Glenn, John and Peter
We had a quick ride to Asda so I could get a few quid outdoor a breakfast then off we went heading to Consett . As we rode up towards Consett in certain areas single file, it gave me time to think, of how much I enjoy just being out in the fresh air and try to reflect on yeah things are not great prosthetic limb wise, nothing is fitting and a lot of stuff needs replacing. I have just been back to the Disability Services Centre, this is where I get my NHS funded bits and bobs. I attended yesterday to take delivery of a new socket.
I am currently on wearing it to see if I can get away with it. So far the jury is out, it feels uncomfortable compared to my old socket. When I fit a seal it feels like I am being pushed out of the socket and when I sit down I lose the vacuum seal which keeps it on. Im feel like Bambi on Ice walking. It is soooo! stressful and frustrating, I just want to get on and do day to day normal stuff, however at the moment almost every thought from getting up to going to bed is based somewhere around " Aww F@$king hell this poxy leg" or lack of it. So many people take for granted just being able to climb stairs, run, dance or even trip up but be able to catch themselves. I can deal with having my leg amputated, it's the fact of when my prosthetic leg doesn't fit, it just brings me right down. Anyhoo getting back to the reflection bit, I just thought "Glenn count your blessings, your out, your trying to make the best of a bad situation, and give yourself a little credit, you haven't given up". Maybe I am getting a little better at not being So hard on myself all the time.
Glenn on the Orbea Gain
My prosthetist from the DSC rang me in the afternoon following my visit to inform me my Rheo XC microprocessor knee is about buggered, so she is ordering me a new one, and would I also like a new foot. "Sure what ever you think best" I replied. Just a shame I cannot get a new Bartlett Tendon knee and socket from the NHS, as both of those need replacing.
I can't imagine not being able to ride, it is so much of who I am, it has kept me going, given my opportunities and I have met so many awesome people through cycling. Being disabled... weird as I have just subconsciously stopped typing whilst writing this sentence and thought to myself " What I'm disabled ? I don't think of myself as disabled, I am just different". Yet being different is very expensive. Again it makes me realise how fortunate I have been in the past to be supported by various people and companies.
Moving on I guess I am going to have to look at approaching various foundations fort grants and doing a lot of saving if I want to continue cycling.
For the time being it's going to be a case of trying to prolong the life of my worn out bits n bobs, with replacement bolts and possibly some Gaffa tape to keep my leg attached LoL.
Parked up at the cafe
Anyhoo back to the ride, we ended up at Hownsgill Cafe, each of us ordered the full English breakfast and a cup of coffee. Not badly priced I think, I don't go out much for meals so not sure of the current cost of stuff, but £5.70 for the breakfast and £1.60 for a coffee which certainly hit the spot on a cold morning seemed like a good deal.
The ride back was as pleasurable as the ride there, a little easier coming back I would say, with some good craic, so all in all a canny morning.
Me and Peter
I couldn't be arsed to get my phone out and take pictures, so relied on John to send me some snaps through. John is like Inspector Gadget what with his new fangled Apple Watch and phone Lol.
A couple of weeks ago I got a message from Temarah Galant, who's is one of Silverback Bikes brand and marketing + communications personnel.
Temarah went on to ask could I recall about 3 years ago, I had done an article as an ambassador for Silverback Bikes, going on to inform me that the piece had resonated within the cycling community, and it continued to inspire people.
Very kind words, truth be known I struggle to accept positive feedback, as for me, all I am doing is getting on with life and trying to make the best of some unfortunate circumstances.
Anyhoo Temarah asked would I be up for taking part in another feature, this time a sort of VLOG. Silverback Bikes have always been supportive of me so it's nice to offer something in return.
Temarah sent across around 16 questions and asked could I record myself answering them.
Now whilst I don't mind riding my bike and doing a video, I hate doing the close up talky interview bits. I consider myself not be at all photogenic, and just don't like seeing myself on camera. I can never get my words out LoL, and upon watching myself back, tend to pick out every last detail of what I don't like about myself...Hey we can't all be perfect I guess.
I had been waiting for the weather, to try and get a decent day for the video, it's now winter, who was I kidding, and as Temarah had kindly asked " do you think you can have it done by the 13th", I decided to head out on Thursday.
Questions and answers prepared after giving my responses some thought. I gathered my bikey bits n bobs, including my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. My dad Ern who has just turned 83 on the 4th November offered to tag along. This would be handy as he could help me setup and read the questions, so that I could respond to them.
But hold on, we didn't get away immediately, firstly we couldn't find our small tripod, then after about half an hour of searching including in our loft we discovered it in our wee shed.
I told Ern "I'll ride over to the field where we used to take wor Baxter, and you can meet me there". Just as I went to set off on my bike my Bartlett Tendon Knee locked up..."Aww man".
So Ern and I decide to just pop my bike in the back of Erns mobile skip, that's what I call his car, and we headed off to do the interview.
When we arrived at the field, at the back of Langley View, the noise from the traffic on the bypass was just too loud. So I suggested Beamish Woods, down by Eden Place. We then walked back to the car, reloaded my bike, and headed over to Beamish.
Once at Beamish we unloaded the car and set off, me pushing my bike as obviously I couldn't ride it.We through the woods going down some steep bank sides, were there was a sort of trail, which was covered by beautifully coloured leaves all various golden colours and hues of browns until we found a suitable spot, where a fallen tree made a good spot to have a sit on and carryout the interview.
Now to the interview. I had decided to use my GoPro, hoping the onboard mic would be okay. Man doing the interview was harder than I thought. I just couldn't remember what I had written to each question, so had to ad-lib quite a lot. I got tongue tied, swore a canny bit when I didn't get what I wanted to say out and tried to not use " Mmm's & Err's".
Eventually I managed to get all 16 questions answered, wish I could have remembered exactly what I had written to each question, as it would have sounded a lot better I think it would look a bit daft sitting on a log reading out answers whilst also wearing my gigs.
A hike back to Erns car, I sometimes forget he is getting on in years. I mean there he was helping me push my bike up the steep side of a bank side with no complaints. I love spending time with my dad, although it is very frustrating at times as he is so hard of hearing these days, and his goto response is " What?".
Upon getting home and warmed through. With an inspection of my Bartlett Tendon it soon became apparent that a circlip had come off one of the pins in the knee. The pin had then gotten bent and it was this stopping the knee bending as it was catching the knee frame. Ern got to work on my knee as I went up to my room to download the footage we had just shot.
Upon checking the footage I was gutted to find my first interview question and answer missing, where the hell it had gone I'll never know. I did a small amount of editing, using Wondershare Filmora, using my new Mac Pro. I'm still trying to get to grips with the Apple Mac. Obviously I had to edit out all the sweary bits LoL. I didn't think it was appropriate to have " Aww Bollocks and Fecking Hell Man" included in an interview.
That done I sent the files to Temarah, so along with some of my videos I already have on YouTube I think Silverback Bikes should be able to make a decent VLOG.
Whilst we were down the woods it looked so pretty, what with all the fallen leaves, as mentioned, and with all the rainfall of late, there were pools of water, that had formed like little ponds. I decided I would return on my bike on Friday and have a little ride and play about, maybe shoot a video.
Silverback Synergy Fat Bike
Sometimes I just love being by myself, in my own little world doing my own thing, with no stresses and worries, playing around like a big kid. The woods were pretty soaked. It's funny the things that bring joy, for me it's riding through dry leaves and the sound as they crunch under my tyres, or on a cold winters day and again the sound of crunching ice as I ride over a frozen puddle. In the cold weather the feel of the fresh air as it burns your lungs and lets you know you are alive.
Friday morning, my dropper seat post won't pop up and for some reason as I set off on my Silverback Fat Bike the gears are all out of sink. I fiddled with the gear cable and managed to get a little better gear selection, then headed up the farmers trail, which would lead me to No Place, yes it's an actual name of a place, I then drop down to Beamish and the woods.
I began shooting footage, not really riding any particular trail, actually I tried to stay out of the dense wooded area, as I knew my GoPro wouldn't do well in the dark light.
It's hard work riding then having to come back for the camera, so each small movie I shoot although I have loads of footage, it's mainly going to and fro to start and stop the camera, then move it a little and place it for the next shot. There was some lovely lens flares to be had. I just figured out why the woods looked so dark...what a plonker I had my Oakley sunglasses on, which I think are way too dark in there lens. I think I'll keep these ones for the car and invest in a new pair with lighter lenses. They are just so expensive, as I'm practically blind without gigs I have to get prescription vary-focals...mega bucks.
I did pretty well yesterday I only slipped once in the thick mud, pity I didn't catch that on camera as it was hilarious, trying to catch myself with one leg that knows what it's supposed to be doing and a prosthetic one that I can't feel where it's placed and having a mind of its own, then doing the wild thing trying to keep my balance. Ultimately I didn't and fell in the mud. I also washed out on a particularly muddy bend, luckily just before a rock garden, with some pretty nasty looking sharp rocks.
After filming what `I thought was enough for a 5 minute video...How wrong was I LoL, I was beginning to get tired, man I miss my eBike. Don't get me wrong I love the Fat Bike, but that assistance to get home would have been nice.
As I was coming up the C2C I was just about to turn up towards Iceland and the steep bank to get me from the C2C to the carpark at Iceland, when "Snap" my inside tendon and cam went slack. As I checked my knee I discovered that the stud that holds the inside cam had sheared. "Damnit", this has now happened a few times. I had to take my leg off , sit on the wet ground and remove both cams and tendons completely, then pop the parts in my bag, followed by getting back up, dropping my shorts, whilst hopping about, and try and reattach my leg.
I then goy back on my bike and I was proper proud that I managed to climb the steep bank without getting off and then ride home through Mordor, also known as Stanley, then down and back to home.
My dad was in our back yard helping to mend my daughter's, partners car and my grand daughter Francesca was outside with her daddy. She looked a little cold, so after I washed my bike, she ended up coming inside and I guess I got roped into baby sitting. Francesca's 3 years old. I'm a bit out of practice with kids, in fact never really been good with them, give me a dog any day LoL. That said wor Francesca is a canny cute bairn and she was really well behaved, and it was nice to spend some time with her.
We watched TV, played pat a cake, listened to music and danced, drew pictures and coloured in and practiced counting, to the nursery Rhyme 1,2,3,4,5 Once I caught a Fish alive, Oh! and Francesca even had a go strumming on my guitar. She was fascinated by my prosthetic leg, especially my plastic foot with blue painted toe nails, however she now wants them painted her favourite colour red.
After Francesca had gone home with her dad I was able to have a shower, as I was filthy not having had a chance to get washed before baby sitting.
I then set about creating a short movie and searching for appropriate free music to accompany the feel and flow of the video. Hope you like it.
About 6 or 7 months ago, I was contacted quite unexpectedly by a gentleman named Dragos Mostenescu. Dragos went on to explain that he was a producer, writer and actor in his native country of Romania, and that upon discovering my Blog, he and a friend of his, also named Dragos, Dragos Teglas, who is a film director, were very interested in my story.
In further conversation, Dragos mentioned that they already had an idea in place, for a short film, something along the lines of "Meet the Local Hero". Dragos provided me with links to his website and also for the other Dragos, so that I could see their past work and accomplishments, that they had each been involved in.
From left to right, Cosmin, Dragos M, The Ern, Oren, Me & Dragos T, plus Joy the dog and Kosher the kitten
The weatherman said it was supposed to rain today, so when I eventually woke up, after having yet another restless night, I was quite chuffed that the sun was shining through my bedroom window.
I immediately formulated a plan of attack. Casual garb and a venture out on my Buzzraw, with her new battery. I hasten to add, I had forgotten to put the bike back on charge, so there were only 4 of the 5 charge bars showing, but I figured this would be enough for a relatively short ride.
I retrieved my two Alpkit dry bags from the cupboard, thinking they would be ideal to carry some gear. I had decided to take a light jacket, just in case the weatherman had got things right, a pair of gloves and my GoPro Hero 9, along with my mini tripod and a little stand I had bought for my camera a while back. It is handy as I can just place my camera in the stand, and it offers me the choice of tilting the camera either 30 or 40 degrees, quick and easy. I also made sure I had a spare GoPro battery and of course my mobile phone, so that I could use the quick app. Oh! And as I am now pretty much blind without my gigs I popped on my old specs... I know it ruins my street cred, and I look like a geek. I figured it was better to be able to see where I was going. Hedley Hall woods has quite a few trees and I have had been attacked by them in the past.
Coast Cycles Buzzraw
A little pic of my Buzzraw across the road and then I was off, away up the farmer's trail. The first pictures, I tried to get, were by using the GoPro's Time Warp feature and then editing them using Wondershare Filmora and the snapshot feature. It is so difficult trying to take action shots when you are on your todd.
Out on the Buzzraw
I followed the same route as the other day when I went out on the wee bike. That day it was Brassic. I crossed the Chester Road, amazingly getting straight across, and headed down to Shield Row. Cutting under the C2C and taking a little trail down by the houses at Causey Drive, making sure I shut the gate after I went through.
Causey Drive and a little cut through at houses
This wee trail brings you out at the rear of the Bluebell pub and from there it was down the Beamish Burn bank, my speedo reading 26 mph. As I reached the bottom of the dip, I had to then climb up the bank past the Black Bull and the Aston Workshop. This required me to pop the Buzzraw to level 5 and maximum assist. I can normally ride up this bank on a regular bike, however on the Buzzraw as I am so cramped it really fatigues my good thigh, on level 5 I can get up nee bother.
Coming out at the back of the Bluebell
At the end of the road, I was at the Causey Arch Road and took the footpath up the hill, following a guy on a cyclo cross bike. He was out the saddle grinding away, I was sat down in level 5 mode and cruising behind him.
I then turned at the top of the bank, right and followed the Hedley Lane road (just used Google Maps to establish the name of that road). I once tipped a pickup truck on its side along this particular stretch of road, losing control of the car in the wet. The wee Morris Marina pickup was my first car, after passing my test. As I recall after getting the car Hiab'ed out from the field, it cost me £8 at the scrapyard to repair the damage LoL.
Hedley Hall Woods and the car park
Turning into the newly constructed car park at Hedley Hall woods, I got my GoPro out and set it up. I had to wait a little while for various folk to vacate the area, mostly dog walkers. This was a common theme throughout filming, however, I just waited until they were out of shot and I could set up each of my shots.
Car park all been done up, and you can see new trails been put in
The sun kept going behind the clouds, so this made shooting footage difficult, and I spent a great deal of time waiting for just the right moment when the sun would appear again. Looking at the display on my mobile phone whilst using the GoPro app, at certain times the picture looked really dark, yet when the sun appeared it became almost too bright.
It takes quite sometime to keep going back and forth for the camera. Although I was out most of the morning, I knew the majority of footage would be of my riding backwards and forwards to pick up my camera. The end video would only be a few minutes long. To be fair, that is long enough, people get bored watching anything over about 5 minutes on YouTube.
Buzzraw & Sculpture
Pretty Cool
I discovered another new sculpture today, of a lady with a horse, it looked pretty cool, so I took a few pics. Just after this as I was messing around trying to set my camera up, being lazy as I didn't want to get off my bike, I lost my balance to my right-hand side and fell over. Part of the reason I didn't want to get off is because I have different clipless pedals fitted to the Buzzraw, and man they are a real pain in the arse to clip in and out of. As I picked myself and my bike up, checking around to see if anyone was laughing, I noticed my foot had gotten twisted beneath my Bartlett Tendon, good job I brought an ickle FWE multi tool. A quick unloosen of the Allen bolt on my pylon, and then I straightened up my wonky foot and re-tightened the stud.
Wonky foot
fwe multi tool
As I popped back on my bike, I noticed my battery had dropped to 2 bars of charge, so I decided to make the next shot the last before heading back home. As I was following the newly constructed path, it came to an end, with a barrier in place. This meant I had to follow an off-road trail through the wood, knew wearing my gigs would come in handy, as I managed to avoid getting twatted by various tree branches. Eventually I found my way back onto the proper trail and was soon on my way back home, again heading along the Causey and onto the Beamish Burn Road. This time I cut along to Beamish as if going towards Beamish Hall, trying to conserve my battery for the big hill and climb up to Beamish Museum." Oh! Crap" it's gone down to 2 bars now". Level 5 to get up to Beamish and a combination of level 4 and 5 up towards No Place, cutting up the trail to take me home via the Farmer's trail. I was now on level 1 LoL!
Just as I was coming through the new estate almost home, I heard a “beep” and my bike's display was telling me No Battery left. Managed to just get home. Only covered just over 11 miles whilst out playing. My bike wasn't fully charged, and I had pretty much used her on level 5 all morning, plus whilst filming and fannying on with my camera, and chatting to various folk my bike had been turned on.
Love this wee bike, it is so much fun, just wish I had either been smaller or the bike was a bit bigger.
Over the last week or so, I have really been enjoying my biking, and I actually mean in the real world, not just spinning indoors on my turbo whilst watching music videos on YouTube. In fact, I have been having so much fun that I have not really stopped to take too many pictures or concerned myself about relating a story to you all.
That is why I have just decided to call this particular blog post random biking shit! It's a bit of a hodgepodge of my week's adventures in no real particular order.
So, as you will all know, I love my new Orbea Gain gravel bike. It's so easy to ride, especially as when I ride this bike I don't wear my tendons on my Bartlett Tendon, so no additional resistance. Well, I decided to go for a blast sometime last week, even thinking I would try taking a few shots with my GoPro.
Time Warp, then took a snapshot
Now GoPro wise, even though I have a Hero 9 Black edition and I have watched hundreds of video's on how to set the wee camera up, no matter how hard I try, photo wise they always come out looking naff. It is particularly hard as an amputee, setting up the camera and trying to use the 30-second timer to grab a shot. By the time I press the GoPro button, get re-clipped back in and set off on my bike, trying to time a shot I have either missed it, cut some part of my body off or failed in some other way.
Well the other week I did a Time Warp video whilst out on the Orbea and using Wondershare Filmora I was able to grab a snapshot. I thought "Hey that doesn't look half bad" so decided to try using the time warp feature more often for grabbing images.
I had intended to take a few more, however as I was fannying on with my camera someone rode past me whilst I was checking out my camera. Then I heard a voice call to me on the lines of "Hey Glenn, how are you doing". At the time I didn't have my glasses on so shouted back "Oh Hi, sorry I can't see who it is, I am blind as a bat, without me gigs". The rider approached me, and it took me a little while to figure out it was a lad I know very well, however had not seen in years, Tony Banks, we used to go to Kung Fu, back in the day. After a brief conversation, Tony mentioned he was heading up to Waskerley, "Oh I am heading up that way" I said, so we rode together all the way there and back, stopping to have a lovely cup of coffee at Parkhead Farm. Cheers for getting the coffee's in Tony. Really enjoyed seeing Tony and reminiscing about the old days and what we have been up to since, we exchanged numbers, so hopefully we can get together for some more rides out.
Next thing I can recall...Oh yeah, the new battery came for the Buzzraw. My dad and I had to change the battery mount as the new battery has a 5 pin connection, it is also a much sturdier mount and wasn't a big deal to fit.
Old Battery Mount
New Battery Mount
New Battery Mount fitted
I charged the new battery overnight, with a plan to head out the following morning early and shoot a GoPro video of me just playing about on the bike. Well after setting off up the Farmer's Trail to No Place then crossing the busy Chester Le Street road and taking the trail down to Shield Row and dropping down to Beamish I was bloody freezing. "Sod this" I thought, summer is bound to provide a warmer opportunity. So I turned and headed towards the road that would take me to Beamish Museum, headed up the bank and got onto the C2C and rode home. I covered around 9 miles. The Buzzraw is such a fun bike, however a wee bit small for me, so I could properly feel my good leg cramping up as I got home. I also have to be aware of my prosthetic knee when turning the bars right, as it is easy to catch my knee under the bars and come a cropper. When I got home I loosened the 4 studs holding the bars in place and also loosened the brake levers, shifter and power button. I then adjusted the bars so that they would give me a bit more clearance by angling them slightly forward. If I had the cash I would buy a Buzzraw X as I believe they are a bit bigger, plus they look so cool. Never mind, the Buzzraw is still fun for shorter, playful adventures.
And so to my Specialized Turbo Levo. Man, it was so weird jumping back on this bike after the Orbea Gain gravel. The Levo felt huge and so plush when riding up the Farmer's Trail. Something else I really noticed was just how much extra work I was doing now that I had my tendons re-fitted. My socket was being drawn up, right under my thigh, due to the resistance in the tendons, and was a bit uncomfortable, my socket isn't fitting great. Now that I am an amputee, I can really appreciate just how amazing our own two legs are. It didn't take me long to become accustomed to the extra resistance, I mean I have been riding on this knee since 2009. I don't even have to think about standing and peddaling out of the saddle, it just comes naturally. I still love this knee and over the years what it has allowed me to do.
Tendons fitted and up the Farmer's trail
Out the saddle for a bit of a climb
I decided to head over to Hedley Hall Woods, as it had been ages since I was last over there. And onto one of my "bug bears". In days gone by, I would have ridden along the trail at East Tanfield, heading towards and over the Causey Arch Bridge, now however signs have been put in place to say "NO Cyclists". This means I now have to ride on the road, something I am not keen on doing, especially along the Causey Arch Road as cars often break the speed limit and go flying past you way too close. The alternative is to go the back roads up past the Aston Workshop or the long way around and head towards Tanfield Village, again on the road. Some public footpath legislation is so outdated and has not moved along with the times. I don't want to go flying along a public footpath like a man possessed, I would just like to be able to take a more scenic and safer route.
Heading down towards Shield Row
Smile for the Camera
Over at Hedley Hall Woods..."WoW" there has been a lot of work done. There have been proper footpaths put in, and I am so pleased to say that cyclists have not been prevented from using the beautiful area. There are also some sculptures and numerous trails to follow.
Woodsman Sculpture
I thoroughly enjoyed myself exploring the area. I discovered the Ancient wood trail, which loops around and is a natural place for wildlife. No dogs are allowed in this particular section.
Ancient Wood
I enjoyed my ride out on my Turbo Levo so much visting Hedley Hall Woods that I visited it again the following day.
A few indoor spins on my De Rosa and then today which is "Errrr Thursday" I am all out of sync, having been off work for 4 months and then returning this week on a phased return. Anyhoo today I thought no way am I going to be caught out by the cold. So I got wrapped up and took my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike for a ride. Upon getting on the Synergy, I noticed my Raceface dropper was sticking. "Ah well, sort it when I get back".
Boy, the ride up the Sandy Lonnen was tough, going up to the windmills on Wagtail Lane. No electric to assist me this morning, just relying on sheer determination and trying to motivate myself. Oh! I almost forgot to mention, at the very bottom of the Sandy Lonnen, near to Reiver Boats, I had to stop, drop me shorts and take my leg off. The socket was absolutely crushing me, right at the front of my thigh. I had put two seals in place, as normally my leg drops off, after loosing suction, however for some reason that extra seal was killing me this morning. I removed it, popped it in my pocket and replaced my leg, then carried on, and it felt much better. By the time I got to the top of the hill I checked my Fitbit, my heart rate was only at 107 bpm, I thought I would have been into peak or at least cardio, as I could hear my heart beat in my ears..."bump, bump, bump!
I am a creature of habit, so those who read my blogs will know "Oh he is off to Chapman's Wells" Lol. Love this place as it is quiet, off the road, and you don't see too many people. Wish it had more trails and routes like. I love looking around at all the stuff people just take for granted, it was lovely seeing the newborn lambs in the field with their moms, bleating and scampering about.
A roundabout loop of Chapman's Wells, and I decided to whip out my GoPro and see if I could get some pictures using the Time warp feature. Upon editing the footage at home I am quite impressed with the quality and think this may be how I can capture stills when out by myself, with no cameraman, other than myself.
Happier with these few shots
Silverback Synergy Fat
Silverback Synergy Fat
Another fun bike to ride Silverback Synergy Fat Bike
I should also really comment on just how many trees I have seen down, whilst out on my adventures just this week, following that really bad weather we had. When I rode in Beamish Woods, I was on and off my bike, as huge trees had fallen across the trails. Today at Chapman's I had to go under a tree. I tested it first, as didn't want the thing falling on me.
Oh! And all the wild garlic is out in Beamish Woods...
Tight Squeeze under tree
Upon my return to home, coming back via South Moor Park, my dad and I had a look at my Raceface Turbine dropper seat post. We firstly removed it and then went and watched an online video to see how it operated. My dad went up to Stanley and bought a new cable, and we discovered from the video, that the post has an air valve under the saddle. When we checked this out, there appeared to be no air in the post, so I used my shock pump and filled up the post to about 25psi. It is the first time the post has ever been looked at, and my bike has stood sometime, so hopefully this will solve the problem.
Dropper lever
Air Valve on Raceface Turbine Dropper Post
Following this, I gave my Synergy some love and washed and cleaned her thoroughly before putting her to bed.
Tomorrow I think I am off to pick up Myrtle's 15" Steel Smoothies which have been powder coated gloss black and new tyres fitted. I will take some pics and show them off. May need to get some new clips to keep the hubcaps in place as the guy at the Wheel Specialist said the clips may dissolve in the acid dip process :/
