A little walk

 After having little bit of a lie in, I am off work using up some annual leave, I decided to go for a little walk. I thought it would also give me the opportunity to see if my now ancient Pentax K30 DSLR was indeed broken. I bought the camera way back in 2013 when I went away to visit America, and really the camera hasn't seen all that much use, mainly because I was too lazy to learn how to use it to its full potential.

  

Pentax K30

Pentax K30

Anyhoo some weeks ago I had got the camera out from under my bed and the bag it was living in and thought to have a go at using it. When I went to take some shots they all appeared to be really dark. Possibly because it was late on one afternoon and indoors, who knows.

I did a little research online and discovered that this particular model of camera suffers from something called "aperture block", and well my camera had been lying about doing nothing for yeah, probably years. Like most people I tend to just take snaps with my mobile phone.

So heading out, with no particular place in mind I dropped the hood on my wee Abarth and headed over to Craghead, and headed up Wagtail lane towards the Stream Valley and the little carpark there.

Once parked up I then proceeded to change from my trainers to my walking boots as I knew it would be fairly muddy. I then set off on the trail and tried to discover somethings interesting to take a shot of. Not much success I am afraid, my creative brain not really kicking in, and I found I was walking with my head down trying to keep my footing as the trail was all slippery with mud and chewed up by the numerous horses that had been using the route.

Horses have fairly chewed up the trails

I only managed to get approximately 9 to 10 shots on the whole walk around, covering about 4.70 miles, in a loop, going as far as Maiden Law and then back towards my car.

Heading up towards Maiden Law

Upon arriving home and having a look at my photos I have sort of come to the conclusion that I don't think the camera has aperture block, no its more a case of me just being inept in its settings and how to use it to it's best potential. I have always been hit missy with this camera. Never mind I will give it a go another day. I still enjoyed the walk. It's nice to sometimes just get out with no particular place in mind, listen to the birds and I even enjoyed the light rain upon my face.

Farmers Trail and back to my car

As I got back to my car and attempted to remove my boots and put my trainers back on, now that was a bit of a struggle. My lower back having seized up. all part and parcel of being an amputee I guess, that and old age LoL.

Random biking shit!

 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 :/

First outdoor ride of the New Year 2022

 Normally I would be keen to get out and about on my various bikes, regardless of the weather, however in reality over the past couple of years, yes as long as that, I just haven't been going out quite as much. I mean, the whole covid situation had a lot to do with it when I found myself having to shield for around 9 months, and by then I had become quite used or should I say addicted to just jumping on my road bike, which is set up indoors on my cheap Tacx turbo trainer. It's warm, I can watch TV or listen to music and when I am finished no requirements to wash a dirty mud strewn bike.

Of course, this has not been the only factor in my lack of enthusiasm. I am really struggling with socket fit, so each ride is a fairly uncomfortable one, and for some reason I had been snapping a lot of tendons on my knee and also encountered another issue with my knee that I have never had before. This is that the bolts that fit through the BTK Cams shear off every now and again. I can only put this down to me having a G2 BTK frame and using G3 tendons and cams. With the G3 tendons being slightly longer, I am wondering whether my riding style is not maybe as fluid and causing a "snap" at the top end of my movement. That said, I wouldn't trade my BTK knee, after using various incarnations of the design since 2009, it is this piece of equipment that has kept me going.
    

Jimmy & John in South Moor Park

Anyhoo this blog is actually about going out into the real world for a ride, something I have really missed. My friend John, who I don't get to see all that much because of other commitments, messaged me asking me if I fancied a ride out with him and a friend of his, called Jimmy. I am still currently off work, due to socket issues, and so I was in two minds. You see, I have been brought up from a little wee lad to believe if you were sick, you had to stay at home and couldn't play out. I have my mam to thank for that. If ever I was off school, no way was I allowed out, it's kind of stuck.

The previous week I had had a chat with my boss from work, and she advised me to do what I could when I could, as well it's good for your mental health, so I agreed I would head out with John and his mate Jimmy. I prepared all my gear the night before, this meant reattaching my cams and tendons on my BTK knee. Being wary of the 4 bolts, I made sure I used my small torque wrench. It's a most excellent piece of kit, I love it's small form factor. It is made by "fwe" sure I got it at Evans Cycles some years ago. It uses small torque sockets which go from 4,5 to 6 nm.

fwe mini torque  wrench

Great bit of kit

The following morning I had a ride up our bank towards Stanley and met up with John, Jimmy soon coming along and John introducing us. A quick discussion on where to go, and we were all off, deciding to head over towards Chapman's Wells, with the possibility of doing the Lanchester Valley to Consett loop and then back home. I informed the boys I wasn't sure if we would have time, just I had to get back as I had been invited out to lunch by one of my old work friends and another work friend, somewhere over near Cramlington, a place called the Snowy Owl.

 

Doesn't matter where you go always got to get off and lift bikes over a style or gate

Splashing through the icy puddles

Jimmy enjoying himself

More puddles to play in

Weather wise, it was pretty chilly, with frost in the air and the various puddles we encountered covered in ice. I have mentioned this before I am sure I love either the sound of the braking ice as you ride over it, or in the autumn and the sound of dry leaves as you ride through them. It's the little things when you are out and about that can bring you joy. Sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors.

Nice being out in the fresh air

 

We encountered quite a few frosty and icy puddles on our little, what turned out to a be a 20-mile ride. We also discovered lots of damaged and up rooted trees, from the storms we had not so long ago. There was a huge tree that had fallen in South Moor Park. It must have fallen across the path and the council had been down and chainsawed it into large sections to make the path accessible.

It's funny even as we get older get a few lads together, and you can see the child in them, as we each took turns to ride through the iced up puddles, crunching through the ice and splashing up the cold water beneath.

It can get really windy blowing down the valley

As the morning went on, the weather became a lot milder, the frost disappearing and the ice melting to make the Lanchester and Chapman's Wells trails that bit muddier. We turned off at Hurbuck Cottages, instead of going all the way up to Consett and I took John and Jimmy up the long up hill winding back road, I think it's called Gorecock lane towards Greencroft.

 

Riding along from Maiden Law

From there back along to the Morrison Road ends and back to Chapman's Wells. A nice climb up the farmer's Trail, and we were at the top of Wilka's Bank and followed Wagtail Lane to the Bridleway that leads down to South Moor Gold Club and from there a ride through the Font and John and Jimmy said their goodbyes when we arrived at my house.

My pops was coming out of our house and very kindly helped me with my bike putting it on charge for me. Not enough time to clean her. As I got indoors and removed my sweaty gear and put various bits and pieces away, I noticed a big box at the bottom of our stairs...Yay my Ukulele had arrived.


Proper enjoyed this morning's ride out and pleased to say apart from my Fitbit cocking up, and my mobile phone dying, it's old, nothing else went a miss. My Specilazied Turbo Levo appears to be working fine now that the TCU has been replaced. I am now going to try and make more effort to get out riding outdoors, prosthetic limb dependant, as upon getting back I had a few new very sore areas.

Short tough ride, is it because I am getting old?

 It has been well over 2 months since I last had a ride out with my friend John. He has had a few days off work, so suggested we have a little look out. Both of us aren't exactly as fit as we used to be. I mean I have ridden every day for 579  days now, and I am on Day 161 of this year, however that has mostly been on my turbo trainer, and although I get quite the sweat on it is totally different to being out in the real world and climbing hills and going over rougher terrain. Not only that I decided to take my Fat Bike and although it is so much fun it can be a bit harder work.

Out with John Day 161 x

Did I mention I am riding every day this year for Arctic One, a charity who have supported myself and many other people? Arctic ONE is not one of these big, well known charities, however the work they do is nothing short of amazing. If you can spare anything great or if you just would like to see what Arctic ONE is about and what they do, either search for them on Facebook or checkout www.arctic1.co.uk

Virgin Money Giving Link

This morning I had to re-attach my tendons to my Bartlett Tendon. I got the first bolt in, tightening it up with my mini torque wrench and went to put the second bolt in for the cam and the bloody bolt snapped. Fortunately I had a spare and the broken piece came out fairly easily by using a screwdriver.

 

Broken stud in my knee

By the time I had fannied on with my leg, John had arrived, so as usual he had to wait a little while till I got my gear sorted.

We were soon off just making a route up as we went and deciding as we were not exactly fit just to stay local and not go too far. It was more just about being out than how far.

Basically, we headed over to Chapman Wells Nature reserve and just had a tootle around whilst chatting.

Out on the BTK and my Fat Bike

John patiently waiting for me to position camera

My Silverback Synergy Fat developed a horrible clicking sound, which progressed to a screech at times, so I think my bottom bracket is on its way out. Ern is going to inspect it for me, never mind the bike got me home and nothing dropped off or seized up.

John and Glenn

John

Not a very exciting tale I am afraid the heat has zapped my energy over the last few days, not complaining mind you. I just feel so fortunate and grateful to be able to do all the things I am able to do.

Riding back up the trail

Fuel

   Next week I am away to see the Cancer Specialist Nurse for a review, so far the treatment has kept my Non Hodgkin's at bay and I haven't felt any lumps or bumps. I am still having a few minor issues with socket fit, however again feel fortunate as it has been probably 3 or maybe even 4 years since Pace Rehabilitation  designed my current socket and in that time I have only been back to the Disability Service Centre maybe two or three times.

All about the things you can do

Clarty or what?

Hey it's me I am still around.


So what has been happening? well not a lot really, though that depends on how you look at things I guess. Let's just say I haven't written much on here as there hasn't been anything all that exciting going on.

A canny bit of clarts about today like

I have started a new health kick, after feeling decidedly unfit and a little podgy around the middle. Today is actually Day 47 on me continuously riding. By that, what I mean is I have been going on my De Rosa Road bike each day which is hooked up to my turbo trainer. I have not been following any set plan, or specific challenge, nope just been riding for me, doing between 20 to 70 minutes at a go and ranging my cadence, mileage and time upon the bike.

Today, Day 47 was actually a bit of a change as I decided to head out on my Specialised Turbo Levo. Yeah, go on say it "Oh that's cheating, coz it's an electric bike". And my retort "Go get your leg lopped off then come back and tell me how easy it is to ride every day". Plus I am getting on you know.

As soon as I went to set off on the bike today I noticed the huge difference in the new G3 Tendons I had got from Brian Bartlett. The new tendons are a tad longer, however heavier and you can really tell this at the top of the flexion upon the knee. After a few pedal strokes just down the front lane, I had to stop and release some of the air out of the Rockshox shocker. If I hadn't I would have been beasting myself the whole way around as the more pressure in the shock the more work you have to do in order to bend the knee.

Anyhoo getting back to this health kick. I watched a documentary the other day and it blew me away so much so that I have decided to try and eat healthier and in fact practice eating a plant-based diet. Oh the documentary for anyone interested was on Netflix and it is called The Game Changers, it is well worth a watch, even if you don't want to change your diet ... What do they say "Knowledge is power". I am a big believer in that you cannot criticise something until you have actually experienced it.

Ern has been a complete star too, as he has gone out and done some shopping especially for me, buying lots of vegan ingredients and some ready-made meals, plus he also got me some special treats for afters, including some cookies, trail mix crackers and my particular favourite some Belgian Chocolate.

As I started my indoor riding and exercise regime 47 days ago I have pretty much-eaten salad every day in some form or another, this at the time had chicken or bacon with pasta. I have only been on the veggie stuff properly for 2 days. Yesterday I experimented with vegan fish fingers and 5 beans which were actually really tasty. Oh, and I have swapped over to Soya milk, this kind of takes some getting used to as it tastes weird in a cup of tea, but not so bad in my porridge Lol.

Very clarty

No cameraman to help me

I have to say today's ride was such an enjoyable one I think I only saw 4 people all day whilst on the trail. As I rode around Chapman's Well deciding to complete the Bath Tub Loop 6 times which is roughly 1.9 miles each loop, the sun was starting to go down and as I rode back up the hill towards the farmer's house the sky and surrounding landscape just looked so beautiful. Mind you by the time I had decided to venture home I was absolutely filthy, the trails are just so clarty.

The glow of the sun as it went down was soooo pretty

Bike was a bit caked like

I am almost sure I was on Eco mode the whole way around

Duck seemed to enjoy his ride out too

I should also mention I have been completing a scripting journal. Now, this is not like an everyday journal or like some sort of a diary. No, it is more like writing a screenplay for your future. You create your journal with intentions. It’s like a magical manifesto that supports your wishes. It is intended to help your ideas and desires to come to fruition. You practice writing, reading and manifesting the life of your dreams. It helps to assert positivity into your life and take responsibility for your life and your actions, your emotionality, your wellbeing and your stories. I think it is helping me to reflect and maintain a much more positive attitude. The most powerful words in the world are "I AM".

New Tendons

Bit mucky

Getting old

Ok I AM off to try some asparagus along with some vegan cottage pie.