Shut up irritating little voice

I know by now, those of you who do drop by my blog may be pretty bored by viewing my posts of what appears to be my only bike and the only thing I do on it. Don't worry, I am sure I will be featuring a few more posts soon about other stuff, including Myrtle, my 65 classic Bug. Yes I still have her, however I haven't really done anything with her over the winter, it's too cold to work outside, plus of late I haven't really had the money to spend on her. Never mind, like I say she will be featured soon, when I figure out what is the next on the lengthy list of restoration and mods. Oh! And let's not forget Grandma, my GSR Beetle. I have been waiting ages for EBC Direct to get the rear R32 discs and pads in stock, as I have pretty much got all the other modified bigger brake components. I will go into more detail when I get all the gear and take some pics of the parts, then again once fitted.


Anyhoo at the moment, I still feel pants after having a variant of covid. Although I am now testing negative, I just feel all out of whack, with fatigue, a sore throat and a tight chest. This morning I awoke somewhere around 6 am, just couldn't sleep, so I got up, had a bite to eat, watched a bit of news, then flicked through YouTube. After a few hours, I decided to go back to bed and awoke again at  11:25 am, still feeling like crap. I made a couple of Turkey sandwiches, which I shared with wor Baxter and had a cuppa. I then went back to bed, not so much feeling sleepy, No more just couldn't be arsed.

After lying for an hour or so meditating, well more just thinking with my eyes closed of being a millionaire and buying my dream house in Scotland, Oh yes the dream is still alive, my little internal voice spoke to me saying "Aww just stay on your bed", you see I was lying on top with my hoodie pulled over my head, "No need to get up," "There is nowt to do anyway". At this point there was a reply in my head which came across as "Fuck off, I'm going for a spin on my bike". 

In the past, I have let that little irritating internal voice get me down, it can suck the very life out of me, and make me question myself. Now it may sound like I am a bit cuckoo, but I answer it back, and pretty much tell it where to go. I guess I have developed this mindset. My way of thinking, and it can be incredibly difficult at times, is that no matter the negatives, ie: being on rock bottom, well once you are there the only way is up, and up has to be a positive.

I have really enjoyed riding this bike

 

Getting up, I then got changed into my bikey gear, grabbed my GoPro and chesty mount and headed downstairs to get my bike. I am getting really good at how quick I can manage to put my hands on things and in how long it now takes me to be up and out the house once my mind is made up. I think part of the reason I have not been going out as much on my bikes is that I get bored with riding the same roads and trails, that and my stoopid ill-fitting prosthetic of course.

Man, I have changed shape so much over the last 4 months. Four months is how long I have been off work. I am due to go back on the 25th April, and will have to try and get away with my old socket as the DSC has been unable to fit me for a new one. I guess it is partly my fault, as I have gone from my usual everyday socket being way too big, to it now feeling a bit too tight. I went for a walk yesterday and wow it was mega painful. My stump feeling like it is getting crushed and the worst lower back pain ever. Feels like my leg is proper out of alignment, as if my hips are getting pushed forward, causing me to arch my back and shoulders. I am still stiff today, and I didn't walk that far.

Anyhoo back to the mini adventure on my Orbea Gain. I am so pleased I invested in this bike. It feels mega quick where ever I go and so much fun, even if I do have to constantly ride it whilst sat in the saddle. It is pointless using my tendons on my Bartlett Tendon Knee with this bike, I would just expend too much energy fighting the resistance, and it's not like I am jumping or dropping off stuff.

I rode 8.35 miles today. It was a lot muddier than I expected, which had me sliding about in certain areas. As the bike is so quick, I find I have to be a bit more switched on. I just rode locally, making up a route as I thought about one of my friends brothers who had commented on one of my videos, saying it brought back memories of when he lived in the area.

Firstly I rode through "Glass Wood", I think I have mentioned this before, my dad and I just call it Glass wood as there are generally so many broken bottles strewn about from the local scumbag kids. I then visited the "Pines", these woods are a lot less dense than I remember in my day when we would climb the tress and play "Tally Ho". Next I rode through South Moor Park, when you are out and about you really get an idea of just how wild the weather had been a few weeks ago, so many fallen trees. Once at the end of the Park, at the drift, I made my way up and onto Chapman's Wells Nature reserve, heading towards the pond and looping around to come back down the Farmer's trail.

Back onto Chapman's Wells and I headed for "Quakies" and cut through a small section of woodland to get on a trail that took me back down to the drift. From there I headed up towards Langley View and turned right at the 3 stones to head down the Black Path. So many memories in this area for me. Funny, I always think of my mam when at the 3 stones, which are 3 concrete stones that have been there since the beginning of time. My mam and I used to walk this route regularly to get from South Moor to New Kyo, or "Kya" as we called it, where my Nana lived.

As I got to the bottom of the black path, so called because the coal slag heaps used to be there, hence making the path black, I cut across the green opposite Ivy Terrace. In years gone by this would have been impossible as there used to be a huge pond, complete with newts, tadpoles and frogs. I spent many a day in my wellies catching various critters as a little kid. The pond gradually got smaller and smaller over the years, as I can recall huge bonfires being held on the green around November, what with  Guy Fawkes. One year I can remeber finding the perfect stick for roasting my tatties. It had a bit of plastic on it so I grasped the plastic and pulled, to try and remove it. The stick split and as I pulled one sharp edge drove right through my thumb. I can remeber running home with this huge bit of stick stuck through my thumb and my dad having to pull it out. Turns out the stick was from a kite and made from some sort of fibre glass. Funny what sticks in your mind and also in your thumb if you go pulling on things you shouldn't.

I can also recall the big cooling tower that used to be at the top of the path, where the brick flats were. It was always known as the "Charlie". Something else I may have mentioned in an old blog, when thinking of the brick flats. My dad used to take wor Blackie, who was a big black Labrador for a walk up the "Charlie". Each night Blackie would carry a brand new brick home. One day a bloke came knocking on our door, telling my mam that my dad had sent him. The fella was finishing off an extension and had run out of bricks, well we had a shed full of tbrand new bricks all neatly stacked to the roof.

Coming off the green I rode down the back lane of where I used to live from the age of 3, and 29 Mitchell Street, in South Moor. I see they have clad the houses, so they look like they have new brick work. From the age of 16 this is where I have fond memories of my first motorbikes.

It is strange riding down the street, a memory came to me from years and years ago. It was of a house near the bottom of my street. There used to be a man and woman, who had two dogs, and the dogs had chewed a great big hole in the gate, which had then been boarded up. I can recall having some terrible nightmares about those two dogs escaping and setting about wor "Blackie". Funny what sticks in your mind and how revisting places, sights or sounds can bring stuff flooding back.

Turning left at the bottom of Mitchell Street, I headed over towards the old people's cottages. Deciding to take the route I used to take to get to my first school, which was called Greenlands. The old street hasn't changed a bit, it is still like a pottery old lane, with a terrible road surface. Greenlands is now boarded up and in disrepair, I have some good memories of that school.

Riding onto South Moor front street, I cut over the pedestrian crossing, and headed for home, cutting down through Hustledown and Holyhill.
Once at home, I had to give my bike a thorough wash, as she was up the naffs.

And that is the end...LoL...Well not quite.

 

Yesterday, as it is now today, and I have been on absolutely ages trying to sort my video editing software. So yesterday I decided to try another time warp video, making sure my camera was adjusted a bit better and got more of a clear image of where I was going, not just looking at either the ground or sky.

As the weather had been slightly colder on my previous days out, both walking and riding, I decided to pop on a couple of base layers and my Endura Hoodie, thinking I would pop my GoPro chesty mount on under my jacket and just leave the zip down so that my camera poked out. Unfortunately, when I came to get off my bike to lift it over a gate I must have accidentally covered my camera, so basically got a shot of the inside of my jacket. Never mind, I was able to fudge some footage together, you live and learn.

As I started up my Wondershare Filmora editing software, which by the way is so easy to use. I got a message saying I could upgrade to a newer version. As I have paid for the software, it allows me more items for editing, so I downloaded and installed the software. Then, when I had finished popping my footage in, editing it with titles and music, I began the process of rendering my project. Now when I say it took ages I mean hours and hours and yep a few more hours, so much so that I left my computer running as I went to bed. I awoke early this morning to discover my pc must have got bored and decided to turn off sometime during the night... Bloody hell man.

I then had another go at completing my project, lowering the settings, it has now taken 6 hours to get the video rendered and uploaded LoL. So now I am investigating with more settings to try and get the best video quality I can, however maybe in a different file type. I think because I have downloaded a new version of Filmora something must have changed somewhere.

As I have a 4/5K GoPro, obviously I would like to be able to upload to the best quality. Ah well, something to keep me busy, and try to figure out I guess.

Further, update, it has taken all day to render and upload the 4k version, so now I have two of the same videos on YouTube, one in 1080 HD and the other should be 4K when it is processed.

When life gives you lemons

 “When life gives you lemons”... What do I mean by that? Well this whole amputation business not only really sucks due to having lost a leg, but also in the fact that now none of my sockets fit, and I feel even more disabled, in fact I would say I am pretty much a professional cripple. That said, I have refused to just sit around and become a couch tatty. I thank the Universes that I am still able to ride my bikes, in a fashion. Yes my cycling socket is huge, and I have to stop every now and again and adjust it, to try to create some sort of a seal, but hey I am still managing to enjoy my riding. I constantly try to remind myself of all the things I have to be grateful for, yeah things come along in life, and we all get those “WTF” moments, however I guess it is how we then move on and deal with stuff.


My trip to the Disability Service Centre was a disappointing one on Friday. I knew before I even attended my appointment that the newly made check socket wouldn't go anywhere near my stump. I decided to take proactive action and so took my old socket, and just asked my prosthetist to pop my knee back under that one. I figured better to have a socket that is a wee bit too big, rather than something that feels like a boa constrictor attached to my stump, and prevents me from walking half a block.


Following the disappointment of Friday, I awoke about 7:00am on Saturday, it was probably the quickest I have ever made a decision to just get ready and head out. I even amazed myself as I found everything to hand, no searching for a missing sock, or a favourite pair of shorts or jersey. No fannying about with tech. I was just ready and out the door, heading out on my new Favourite bike, my Orbea Gain Gravel bike.

Passing through Watergate  Park

At Dunston Staithes

I won't bore you too much with my route, other than to say I ended up at Newcastle, crossed the Millennium bridge and so went from the Gateshead side over to the Newcastle side. I then rode up the Quayside and basically followed the C2C route 72 heading up and crossing Scotswood bridge. From there, straight up the Derwent Walk and a loop back home, covering 35.21 miles (ca. 57 km) according to my cycling computer.


It was interesting to see the stats created on the Orbea page whilst using the bikes App. I used a mixture of levels of assist, going from 0 all the way to level 3. I think what has made my riding more enjoyable is the fact I am using my bike to actually enjoy each ride, rather than trying to grind out a ride as if I have something to prove. This way of thinking and the use of the eBike has also allowed me to get out more as other than my ass being sore, I don't feel lacking of energy, whereas in the past a physically demanding long ride would have meant I was pretty fatigued a good bit of the week.


Upon arriving home after my ride out I made a couple of Turkey and jam sandwiches, petted wor Baxter, as he had been in by himself and of course shared a bit of my sandwich with him. I then went and had a shower and got changed. It was still reasonably early in the day, and I was thinking, “Mmmmm” what to do?

I decided to go for a walk and try out my old socket. I mentioned just the other day that with the new socket it was absolutely crushing me and I managed about half a block, having to walk on my tip toe on my good leg, in order to get my prosthetic one through. Well my old socket in order to get it to fit I had to wear two seals to try to keep it on. Nowt worse than your leg dropping off mid-stride and people looking, pointing and commenting... “Ohh look that blokes leg has just dropped off”.


The bank I live on is a pretty steep one, so by the time I was only a quarter of the way up I was thinking “Dear me, this is hard work”. It's bizarre, there I was thinking I was quite fit, yet I am struggling to walk a few meters. I simply turned my mp3 player up and continued on with the bright idea that I would walk from our house over to my mate Corkers house at Tantobie. To cut a long story short, some hour and a half later I arrived at Corkers. Man I was knackered and my hip and back were killing me, but hey I had achieved my goal, plus it was a nice day.


Moving on to today, I was again a bit bored so got me biking gear oot, got ready and decided to go for another tootle on the Orbea. This time I popped my GoPro chesty mount on and attached my GoPro, thinking I would have a bash at filming a Time Warp video. It hasn't come out too bad, though I think I need to adjust the camera up slightly if I do another one. It's hard to judge the position of the camera when I am leant over on the cabs on the bars.

 
 

Well that's about it, what to do now? Probably more food and then go practice some guitar and ukulele. I am chuffed to bits just learnt to play “Drunken Sailor”, it sounds so happy on my little ukulele...

How the Black Dog can sneak up on you

Right from the off I don't want to be coming off all negative and what not, however I do believe in keeping it real, so as the title to this blog says I am going to mention how I have just not been feeling great the last few months.

I am sure it was Winston Churchill I maybe wrong who first wrote about The Black Dog, as he referred to it, which was a symbol of his depression following him around.

Of course, I will also go onto to set aside my low mood and concentrate on some of the positives.

Apologies for the swearing in advance

So for starters, I have deactivated my Facebook account. Facebook has changed dramatically over the years, however now I just feel it is a place mostly full of negativity, hate and people are not genuine. It's as if we live in a make believe world, with make believe friends, all of whom have an opinion and are trying to out do one another. I just don't need that shit in my life. I want to be out of the rat race, not bang smack in the middle of it, way too much drama.

Yesterday, I completed my crunch sit-ups, jumped on my turbo trainer and completed day 629 of riding every day. I then felt I had energy to burn, so went for a walk of just under 8 miles. Whilst out walking, I had my mp3 player turned on and a Keane song came on as I had the player set to random. It was the song Starting Line, It's funny how when you are in a world of your own, you tend to listen to lyrics more. Anyways the song had one particular verse and it kind of struck a chord in how I am feeling, as it went "You wanna be lost and not be found". When I think on this line in the verse, it kind of says a lot about how I have been feeling for quite some time, probably more than a few months when I analyse it. It actually relates to me wanting to head off to Scotland and be pretty much isolated and again, goes towards my feelings of NOT being involved in the rat race and just going through the motions of life. I am struggling with the question of purpose I guess, or lack of it.

Maybe it is because I feel so alone, that in my head it is a way of saying "well screw you all" I don't honestly know. I think what is scary about depression and feeling down is that when you try to ask yourself the question "Why am I feeling like this", it's as if your mind shuts down, maybe to protect you or maybe because it's just plain stubborn, or in some cases it's just fucked up.

Anyhoo on a positive note some Northern Soul popped up on my mp3 so as I continued on my walk I got in the swing of things and even busted out some moves, well there was no one around at like 10pm on a deserted woodland trail.

Today was Day630 of riding every day, so I decided to complete my crunches for this month, so that is a total of 9300 for the month of July, and I then I got ready and went out on my bike.

9300 Crunches this month

I thought I would do a few loops of the walk I had taken the previous day. I won't bore you with details. Basically around and around again, a local 8 mile'ish loop, obviously where there weren't many people. Oh! I did see a frog.

Over at Chapman Wells

So there I was off in my own little world once again when one of the bolts snapped in my Bartlett Tendon. You know what, I am so numb I couldn't even be bothered to get annoyed or upset and swear. I just hopped off my bike and began removing the inner cam and tendon to pop in my bag. As I had stopped, a very friendly lady came along walking her dog, and we began chatting. Turned out she was a veterinary nurse, and she offered some good advice when I told her about wor Baxter and his allergies.

After saying goodbye I set off again, it had started to rain, so I popped my bike in Turbo mode and set off for home at a slightly quicker pace.

Positives, well I had a turbo mode on my bike...

Oh! And I am continuing to support Arctic ONE with raising money for their Grant system. Now that I am not on Facebook, I am not entirely sure who will even read my blog. Feel free to comment on my Blog. I just think it's important to live in the real world and no it's Not always sunshine & light. Maybe someone reading my wee post will take something positive away, knowing that it's ok to put it out there that you are not going through a particularly good time or feeling down. Or that there are other people out there struggling with mental health problems.

Anyhoo if you feel you could help support me with fundraising for Arctic ONE here is the link

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1


Thank you

Things that make you go Grrrrrrr!!!

For some reason, man was I tired last night. I had done my daily riding session in keeping with cycling every day for a year, doing 10.60 miles on my road bike set upon my turbo trainer, whilst watching Gotham on Netflix.

Which reminds me it's not too late to sponsor me and support Arctic ONE with supporting others via their Forward Motion Grant.

Arctic ONE

I also completed 200 crunch sit-ups, mainly just because I have got into a routine. However, I don't think this is what had made me feel so tired I just think I am in a dreadful routine, what with being off work and still shielding.

So this morning I was awake at around 7:00 am. I knew I would be meting up with John for about 9:15am after he had dropped the bairn off at school, and we were going to go for a ride somewhere. "I may as well get up I thought", and proceeded to manoeuvre myself to the edge of my bed, before hopping around the side of my bed and retrieving my Bartlett Tendon.

My Bartlett Tendon has been living in my bedroom as I use it every day for cycling. When I use it indoors on my road bike I always remove the cams and tendons, as I don't need these whilst riding on the turbo trainer. So the first job of the morning was re-attaching the two cams and two tendons. It's an easy enough task, just requiring 4 special shouldered Allen bolts to be fastened in place and making sure the cam locking pins are fitted.

A memorable day...What a laugh

Wow! My second outing of the week with my good friend John. Following on from Tuesdays adventure we had decided to meet up for a ride somewhere on Saturday morning. John almost always leaves the route planning to me and with us both living in Stanley all our lives we kind of know pretty much every trail, so it can get a bit tedious riding the same old places. Saying that due to this whole covid situation anywhere other than in the house is an exciting prospect for me.

I amazed myself by having everything pretty much ready before John arrived or so I thought. As when I went to grab my Specialized ebike and connect the bike to my phone, the bloody bike just wouldn't turn on. Well by that I mean when I pressed the button on the top of the top tube, the battery power meter came on flicked up, then flicked down and then the bike switched off. I could feel a bit of "Tourette's coming on" and the words beginning with "F" "Hell it's every time I plan to go out". I called for back up "Ern, Ern what's up with this bike?". "Well I don't know" he replied. I had already bollocked poor Ern in the morning, actually waking him up and dragging him out of bed, not literally mind you, more figuratively. No you see Ern had been up to his usual tricks and was playing "hide the bike lock keys". Turns out he had hid one set and locked the other set in his car. Naughty Ern!.

Anyhoo Ern saved the day,  he simply came along and said "what does this button do?" to which I replied "Huh what button?"... Hey presto my dad had discovered a special button and my bike started working.

Just then John rocked up, he had ridden down the bank carrying my dads electric plain which he had borrowed to carry out some DIY.

After a very quick discussion we came to the agreement

Farmers trail it is then!

Farmers Trail

John at the start to the Farmers Trail

 

Socially distanced Fresh Air

 When you have been cooped up for weeks, more like months on end, man it is great to get out. To taste the fresh air and even feel a few drops of rain as you lift your face skyward. The weather was apparently a bit brighter yesterday, but I didn't care. So what if it was slightly overcast and a little blustery.

I had set my alarm for 8:20 am, somewhat of a novelty for me as I have been in my shielding/lockdown routine, which generally involves staying in bed as long as possible and practising dreaming of a life in Scotland.

Anyhoo my alarm was set for a good reason my mate John was coming down, as we had arranged a socially distanced bit of exercise on our bikes. I checked the governments shielding advice. It said I could meet one other person outside and as long as we didn't kiss n cuddle things would be fine.

Amazingly I had everything sorted by the time John arrived and was pretty much waiting for him to rally down the hill and meet me. I say amazingly as almost every time I plan to head out, either something is missing, is broken or I can't find it. My OCD then kicks in, and it drives me insane, so much, so I think about it the whole ride LoL.

Off we went heading over towards Craghead. I had given John a quick idea of a loop and decided to take my Silverback Fat Bike, so no E-Assist this morning. The ride over to Craghead was pretty laid back, however as soon as we got down to Fox & Parrot wood, which is on the way down to Chester Le Street, it soon became pretty clear that the trails were like quagmires.

Out on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike sporting a new haircut

Good to be out

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.

 

Day 261 of riding eachday...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love my Fat Bike

Over We Go

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

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

Awwww Man not another one

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

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

A Positive Mindset helps

Out on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike

Cracking bike this and I love the colour

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

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

Do you think it's more difficult when you have more choice?

After starting to feel much better at the start of this year and getting back to both cycling, with the help of my new eBike and swimming (I did 70 lengths today at our local pool, which is just over a mile) well the inevitable has happened, and my addiction has returned... Yes "Bike Porn".
 
Last week, whilst venturing down to Pace Rehabilitation's Manchester clinic in Bredbury to pick up my awesome looking and of course feeling cycling socket, both Ern and I took a slight detour and headed to Cycle Gear  in Halifax. The reason for me wanting to visit there is I had seen online that they were a dealer for Orbea bikes and actually had a size large Orbea Gain in stock. I wanted to have a sit on one and see just what it felt like in comparison to my Derosa Idol.

The young lad at Cycle Gear, named Luke, was spot on and invited me to have a sit on a bike that was already fitted to a turbo trainer. Although I was not set up for riding, no Bartlett Tendon Knee, or my correct shoes and pedals, sitting on the bike gave me a good idea of size. The bike I perched myself on was a road going version, where as I fancy the "All Road", basically a cyclo x version, so fewer gears and slightly fatter tyres. Overall the bike felt good, the bike I sat on having a 120 mm stem, so think I would change that for a 110 mm as I just felt I was overstretching. Oh! and one addition I would definitely like to make, should I manage to save up enough pennies, is to fit a dropper seat post. As yet unsure whether I could fit a stealth remote or just have to pop an under saddle lever version, like the KS version I have fitted on my road bike.

Originally I had quite wanted to opt for the alloy framed version of the Gain, as there are mounting points for mudguards and panniers, however upon seeing the carbon version, well it just looked so dam pretty. There is a £1000 difference in price, and it's all in the frame as far as I can see, as the components all look the same. I could have quite fancied the Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Wheel set, however that adds another £719 on to the bike.

Orbea's site is pretty neat. I like the way you can customise your ride on the higher level bikes, things like colour, wheel set, bars, stem, saddle etc.

As I spoke to Luke about delivery times etc, he mentioned that I could potentially have the bike customised paint wise. He also informed that if I got the bike through Cycle Gear they could offer me 10% off, which is £400 so nothing to be sniffed at.
 
Now, then this custom paint job. It has me in a spot of a dilemma. I mean it's great being able to have a nice choice of colours, however I now find myself in the position of "Oooooh what colour" I am like a kid in a sweet shop and there is just too much choice. Sweets are a lot cheaper, and you can get a sort of a mix up, where as once I have chosen a colour for a new bike I have to live with it.


Here are some ideas I have in mind...Ern quite likes the yellow version...

Yellow n Blue

Orange and Black

Orange and Blue

Blue and Fuschia

Fuschia and Yellow with Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Wheel set

I have just mocked up this version and man those wheels look sweet, Dang it more saving to be done I guess. I know colour is a bit out there but hey, kind of my personality, LoL

Oh! And what you may not realise is this bike is also an eBike. It has a hub motor and a smaller battery than what is in the current mountain bikes. The range should be something around 50 miles, I am hoping.

Watch this space, and please feel free to leave comments, why not pop over to Orbea and spec up a favourite colour...

Just messing with John

It's been a canny weekend, yesterday I was out on a date and had one of the most enjoyable days I have had in a long time. Not giving away too much however watch this space. Today although I spat my dummy out and had a proper tantrum with both my GoPro and stupid mobile phone it was still a good laugh just hanging and messing around with John. 

  



I love the fact I can cheer John up and like all my friends which I feel so lucky to have John is always supportive. He even messaged me at 5:30 am the other morning to wish me luck on my date and to give me the advice 'Just be yourself pal'. 'What you mean bonkers' I replied back.

Today has been quite a change weather wise, it was only last week I was out and thought I had hypothermia and couldn't feel my hands. It felt close to removing the jacket and riding in a jersey again, get in cannot wait.

I asked John did he fancy helping me shoot a video. This means we don't go far, but we always have a good laugh as something or other happens. Today as we arrived at the start location I thought would be good for a small movie and went to sync my GoPro with my mobile the bloody thing just would not play. I think what annoyed me the most was I managed to get the two bits of tech working last week and I had frozen sausages for digits, yet today they just were not having it. John had to calm me down as I was very tempted to sling both the camera and my phone...I despise tech that doesn't just work.
 
13.03.2016 JUST MESING WITH JOHN from Glenn Johnstone on Vimeo.

Today was all about playing

Anyhoo we decided 'Ahhh we are out now, we will just wing the filming' I had brought my Wizmount backpack to give that another ago, still not entirely happy with results, but hey. I think next major purchase, other than a new Fat Bike of course will have to be an autonomous multicopter lol.

I can see you

John looks like a gnome

It's handy when someone is with you helping you to make a video as they can set the camera away and it means not so much riding back and forth. Being out gives John and I a good chance to have a catch up and I don't think he was to bored when I was telling him how much I had enjoyed going on my first date, well I didn't see him yawning and he was not trying to quicken the pace to get me so out of breath I couldn't talk lol.

Lean on me

Just posing

I managed not to go over the bars. This is scary with one leg

We had a proper laugh after we had come down the trail from the farmers house, as John decided to play some tunes on his mobile phone. As I was sorting stuff out on my bike, well the tune just made me feel a bit daft and up for a laugh so I invited John to a dance off in the middle of the trail. It's hard dancing for me at the best of times, but even more so in my Bartlett Tendon. We were both creased with laughter and for me being out with your mates, this is what it is all about. My friends all know I have a particularly funny side and often comment on my wit and dry sense of humour.

Leftside

John heading over to the pond on Chapman's

I enjoyed today, and after filming and getting a few snaps ,both John and I headed home. As we approached Langley View and the place I always remember as the '3 Stones' at the top of the black path I discovered I had got a puncture in my front tyre. I have not had one for ages so I guess I was due one. I couldn't be bothered to take the wheel off via the axle as well it is a right pain to get the axle back in, so John and I just pulled the tyre and tube out whilst the wheel was still in the forks. Not sure if my tyre will be up on my next adventure but hey it got me home.
 

Knackered after my out of saddle sprint

John says what a poser lol

Coming through the woods

Still a lot of mud about

Attempting a bunny hop

Oh almost forgot, this week, Thursday to be exact I went to the Banff Film Festival with my friend Al. It was a really good night and I would encourage anyone to go who is into extreme sports or likes  really good short films about nature, stuff like that.

Checkout Denali, this short movie really moved me. Unbranded was an awesome movie too about 4 University students who upon finishing Uni then went and adopted Mustang horses and travelled through some of the roughest and most beautiful country the US has to offer. Travelling 3,000 miles by horse, amazing.

Denali

Unbranded

Adventure, more like Mis-Adventure or has it?

As today was the last of my annual leave from last year I decided last night rather than just sit around on my day off I would venture out on my bike. I then got the idea 'I know I will check out the weather forecast', looking more to see if it was going to be a fairly bright sunrise, rather than how cold it was going to be. 'Ooh it looks like a bright morning'. I was reliably informed from the website that sunrise was 6:40, so I set my alarm for 5:30 so as to allow enough time to get sorted and ride to where ever I wanted to get some shots.
 
I had a horrendous nights sleep last night, mainly because I had a very upset tummy. So when 5:30 am arrived I wasn't entirely sure I felt like dragging myself out of bed. I then thought to myself  'if  I am going to puke, it may as well be outside, at least that way I am also getting some exercise'.

I had been toying with the idea of taking my Wizmount out, figuring I could get a much better camera angle now that I can see what my GoPro is actually looking at through my mobile phone. So I gathered up everything I needed from my bedroom, GoPro, Digital camera, mobile phone, rear bike light which had been on charge, oh and my reading glasses. One of the things that is really frustrating me is whenever I go out with my GoPro I cannot for the life of me see the tiny little screen. This means it is an absolute nightmare trying to connect the GoPro to my mobile. At one point I took to memorising the correct sequence of button presses in order to get the bloody thing paired.

When I got down stairs I grabbed a bottle of pop from the fridge, retrieved my Wizmount backpack from the cupboard and just for good measure popped my crystal ball into the back pack. Crystal ball you may ask, no I don't go trying to look to the future. I use it as a means of capturing different and interesting shots from time to time. I then unplugged my front light battery and was just about ready to go after affixing my lights to my Fat Bike.

My plan was to ride along towards Craghead and go up Wagtail Lane, past the turbines and then wait a little while for the sunrise to pop up on the farmers trail that leads into Chapman's Well. I have shot a small video here before and got a farily good result with the sun flare, however thought a longer video and using the Wizmount would make for an interesting bit of scenery and any potential viewers wouldn't get bored.

Anyhoo as I set off getting coming down my back street I thought to myself  'By it's canny cad like'. I had put my Biggles goggles back on as they really reduce the wind getting in my eyes and tears forming and I am also very pleased I popped my Arctic ONE buff on, because as soon as I got out onto Durham Road, Jeez the wind chill was Baltic. I pulled my buff up over my mouth and ears as I am prone to earache, which can then lead to toothache.

Even though I was not feeling quite on form I was looking forward to my ride out. I had awoken with a positive mindset and for some reason began thinking about mindfulness. So as I rode I took in the various sounds, things like my tyres as they rolled along, sometimes going through patches of frost and little puddles of ice. The crunching and breaking sound and the steady droll of the Surly Nate's as the knobbles make contact. Then there was the sound of all the different birds, each one welcoming in the morning. Cars were few and far between, just the way I like it. I was also aware of the street lights and how as they entered the lens of my goggles they flared and looked so pretty in the early morning light.

As I roe up the bank towards Wagtail Lane I noticed my shadow, it would catch up to me and then pass me time and again as I approached and then past each street light, it was as if I was in a mini up hill race, yet never to win as my shadow constantly came from behind me and then  passed, before fading out of view.

Me and my Shadow

Once on the top road it was slick with black ice and early morning frost. As I rode on and eventually came to the first turbine it stood still like some huge sentinel. On approaching the second turbine, it's propeller like sails were rotating at a nice steady pace. I love the sound of the turbines a kind of 'woff, woff woff ' as each blade goes around. On sunny days the blades cast a hypnotic shadow across the road which adds to the sound.

Now at the top of Wilkers bank, well a bit along from it. This is where I stopped and began preparing for the sunrise. I checked my mobile phone 6:23 am, so a little while to go. 'Dear me I' thought it's a lot colder than I was expecting. Of course messing around with camera's in this weather is not good at all as you have to take your gloves off. This is when I began to feel my hands getting cold. I took just a few snaps with my digital camera and then started preparing where to set up my GoPro, deciding I would pop it on a gate post and ride into shot so that the sun rose at my back.

Just as it is beginning to get light

I think I set off too early, but to be honest I didn't care as by now I was freezing cold. I had that sensation in my hands of not being able to feel anything, as if my fingers were like little logs, all cumbersome and they wouldn't do as they were told. My right thumb was in excruciating pain due to the wind chill. I then thought 'Sod it I am just going to do a video in one take' and see what footage I ended up with. Thinking I couldn't possibly keep stoping and starting and taking my gloves off each time. So I removed my Wizmount back pack an set up the small boom. When I went to pop the GoPro on the end of the mount I dropped the small nut 5 times. I just couldn't feel it between my thumb and fingers. Did I swear, you bet you life I did. Then just as i got the nut in place the stupid bolt slipped through the plastic end and came out of the back. 'Grrrrrrrrrrrr', or should that be 'Brrrrrrrrr' as by now I was thinking 'bad idea, bad idea,bad idea'. Finally I got the nut and bolt together, but only after using another bolt I had on another mount I had brought.

All I had to do now was put on my specs and get the GoPro paired with my mobile, Jeez how little is the bloody writing on the back of the display. No I don't want to add a pairing id number, omg it's a conspiracy, the weather my equipment they all have it in for me. Finally paired I position the boom to where i think it should be and pop my backpack on. I then place my phone on a gatepost and prop myself up against the post and stand ouyt of the saddle to see what the GoPro sees through my phone. I don't believe it,cock on and just how I want it first time. Ok all I have to do now is ride a little further back and then I hit the record button on my mobile before storing it back in my pocket and we are off. I take about 5 pedal strokes and I hear a 'Beep, beep,beep'. Now anyone who has a GoPro knows a series of beeps is not what you want. I stop and check my phone. 'Awwww crap' it's says my GoPro is out of battery life. Oh and guess what because I changed backpacks my spare batteries are in my Camelbak. It's at this point I swear a little bit more, oh and then just to top off the morning the sun pops up in an amazing sunrise as I turn to go home. 

My sole aim now is to get home as quickly as possible as I can no longer feel my hands. Obviously I still know they are there as they appear to be frozen to my handlebars I can see them. They do not work however. Maybe going down the Sandy Lonnen as a short cut was not the best idea. It is a pretty steep decent and I cannot feel my brakes, if I see anyone I will just shout 'get out the way no brakes' I guess. In all seriousness that was one scary decent, especially as the trail is not exactly level and has huge gouges where excess water has carried away the trail. I think I must be suffering from hypothermia, as I am giggling to myself coming down the trail , yet I am in so much pain. My hands are stinging, my finger ends pulsing in time to my blood flow. My thumbs are the worst, especially my right one. A sensation which is hard to describe, sort of like cold burning.

At the bottom of the Sandy Lonnen and passing Reiver Boats, I need to stop for the road. I need to drop my seat post. I need to change gear. None of that happened. More a quick look left and right and straight over the road I cannot feel my hands.

Almost home just got to get through the housing estate and then I arrive. My next task is trying to open our shed. Ern has one of those stupid keypad locks on the outer door. I have frozen sausages for fingers. It takes me ages and each press, well I think I am pressing, yes I must be because I think it hurts. Bike in and a bit fumble with the lock.

I am then greeted by wor Baxter, Oooooh he is lovely and warm, 'come here boy',  he cuddles into me as I sit on the downstairs loo and I keep my hands on him. After a good few minutes I can begin to feel some life coming back. This is when Baxter tells me 'dad I want to go out'. So it is off with the Bartlett Tendon and on with my everyday limb. A quick change of jacket, my wolly pom pom hat on and I pop my Seal Skin gloves on, then we are out the door and off for walkies down the local woods. We don't go too far around one and a half miles or so. I grab a few shots of Baxter and then it's home for his big lad biscuit.

Baxter

What a good lad

Looks like Baxter is frozen

Awww Baxter

We are not amused

A loveable rogue

So today's adventure has been more of a miss-adventure. Or has it? I mean I got out, yeah not far and I did not get to take my pictures or shoot my video. I was thinking about just how lucky I actually am on the way home and whilst out with Baxter. I can choose to stay in or go out. I can jump in my car or head out on my bike, many people don't have that freedom. Sometimes it's good to just stop and be in the moment, all the things you can do today that for some reason or another you may not be able to do tomorrow. So rather than feeling all miffed and fed up I guess I just feel grateful. And without thinking too fr ahead there is always tomorrow.