A ride around the Bath Tub Loop 10 times

The weather didn't appear too bad this morning, as I just had a nice relaxing mooch about indoors. I then became a little bored, having watched the stuff I had recorded over the course of the week. I love watching The Curse of Oak Island and also enjoy Forged in Fire, so have these programs set on the set-top box.

Coming up the Bath Tub Loop Trail

I had checked the weather forecast the previous day so had an idea it was due to rain, never the less I decided to head out on my Specialized Turbo Levo. There is a trail over on Chapman Wells, a local nature reserve and I quite enjoy riding over that way as there are not a lot of people or cars. 

Heading down past Stream Valley

I had gone out on my Fat Bike sometime earlier in the week and measured the Bath Tub Loop, using Strava, it came in at 1.8 miles, starting at the Stream Valley Equestrian/Farm of course, I had to also ride there and back so that also added a few miles.

As I set off I was pleased I had prepared for the weather, having put on a base layer, my Race Face Jersey and my Endura Hoody. To be fair it was not really cold as I rode to start with, without my gloves. It was, however, a tad damp and overcast.

A spot of rain over by the pond

Puddles starting to accumulate upon each lap

The ride to Chapman Wells is only about 2 or so miles. I had brought my GoPro, however, had an inkling that it would not be of much use today. I have mentioned this before I have the GoPro Hero 5 and it is terrible in poorly lighted situations. It is hard trying to get a photo of yourself using photo mode as the timer is only 30 seconds long. And when you try to use the time-lapse photo, well you do not have as much control over the image settings. Needless to say not too many quality images today.  Never mind the purpose of today's ride was more just to get out of the house and challenge my self to do 10 laps of the Bath Tub Loop.
 

Over by the small pond. Gets some lovely wildlife here

 

I kept my bike in eco mode throughout my time out, and this gives me a canny workout on the off-road trail.
 

  
It has been some time since I have been out and got a good soaking, however, I really enjoyed my time out. It's nice to have a bit of solitude and just relax and reflect on all that is going on. I also use this time to reflect and generally just be grateful for the small things in life, the things that don't cost anything and all of us take for granted.

When you think the universe is conspiring against you

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

Liking my new matching Icon kit

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

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

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

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

South Moor Heritage Trail

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

Ahhhhggggg there is a geet big hole

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

Super Ern

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

  

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

Checking out the cows who were checking out me

Yoooo Hooooo

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

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

Trying to get a bit traction

Does my bum look big in these shorts?

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

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


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

Baxter's Birthday and a little tootle oot on the bike

My little lad is three today, needless to say he got spoilt.I picked up 2 toys for Baxter last week, man pet stuff is expensive.  A Kong jumbo bone and a Kong cone, both in large came to £30, never mind he is worth it. I gave Baxter the bone this morning and he went mental, he even pulled poor Ern all the way around his walk so he could get back home to his new toy. The Kong cone I filled with biscuits and some peanut butter then froze it. Just gave Baxter this about and hour or so ago and he has been quite happily lying in the sun licking his make shift lolly.

Birthday Boy

Mmmmm I love peanut butter

Yum Yum

Short stroll out with Ern and wor Baxter on the BTK Crossover

I am due to head down to Pace Rehab's new HQ in Manchester next week, so that Paul my prosthetist can have a look at my current BTK Crossover socket. So this morning I thought it maybe a good idea to convert the Crossover into ambulation mode, so that I could give Paul a little bit of feedback on how the socket and knee are working together. Converting the knee from sports to walking mode is as simple as removing the tendons the tendon receivers and cams and replacing the protective shells on either side of the knee. Oh and then not to forget to adjust the Rock Shox shocker, both the pressure and rebound so as to be able to walk on the knee. It only takes a few minutes once you get the hang of it.

Out with Ern, Baxter and the BTK Crossover

Have to admit it has been sometime since I walked on the Hybrid BTK Crossover as I have been using it mostly on my bikes. It is a lot different to walk on than my Ossur 2100 Total Knee. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it, however it does feel like a bit more work in that the BTK has more resistance. I think with regular use it would be like anything else you would just become accustomed to how the design works and adapt accordingly.

Baxter such a good lad

Having a little gargle in the stream

Ern (aka me dad) decided we would go for a tootle up Quakies (Quaking Houses) and up past the fell, taking in a small part of Chapman Wells nature reserve, before looping back through the woods to Quakies again. Wor Baxter is in his element when he is off the leash. Ern lets him off regularly, me well I always keep him on as I cannot exactly run after him if he buggers off. Not that he really does. Baxter never seems to go too far, well unless he spots a deer or a rabbit. I guess I am more cautious as I always worry some other dog sets about wor Baxter and he gets the blame as he is classed by many as "one of those dangerous breeds" I say "Poppy Cock" this is what is wrote on Wikipedia about the Bull Terriers Temperament

Can you spot the ickle wee Ern

Such a Poser

 






















 "Bull Terriers can be both independent and stubborn and for this reason are not considered suitable for an inexperienced dog owner. A Bull Terrier has an even temperament and is amenable to discipline. Although obstinate, they are particularly good with people. Early socialisation will ensure that the dog will get along with other dogs and animals. Their personality is described as courageous, full of spirit, with a fun-loving attitude, a children-loving dog and a perfect family member. A 2008 study in Germany showed that Bull Terriers have no significant temperament difference from Golden retrievers in overall temperament researches".

My 2 best mates

We were originally going to call Baxter Vandal

Leave, Leave

Determined to carry a stick

Managed to get a few pics using my GoPro whilst out with Ern and Baxter and although the walk was just a short one with a few stops here and there, really enjoyed being out with my dad and Baxter.

Usually likes saying hello to horses, but today had a stick

Such a handsome boy

Happy Lad

 

Work no rest then play

It was my first full day back at work today, after my 2 week phased return following being ill for 5 weeks with that nasty strep infection I told you all about in a previous post.
 
I am now going to use a word my boss Dan uses a lot to describe this morning as I awoke and looked at the clock or should I say clocks and that word is  Discombobulated. I mean my alarm on my phone went off ok, correct time and all. I was not late, however when I went down stairs into our kitchen the kitchen clock was an hour slow. The Oven clock is always wrong so that was not helping matters and the Microwave, well it came out the Ark so it no longer works. I just thought 'Ahh the battery must have died in the clock'. I then had a quick cup of coffee from the Tassimo, a nice Latte and some sort of coffee yogurt  thingy that Ern sometimes get in. As I went into the living room to check out the mornings news I noticed that that clocks battery had also died...D'oh no it hadn't obviously the clocks had gone into some other time zone, backwards or forwards or whatever. I checked the news as surely they would know the right time. 

On Sundays I can spend a little longer in the house as there are no annoying numpties on the road and it's a canny drive in. I hate driving in during the week because as well as numpties, muppets, cocks and bell ends, there are also with all intensive purposes buffoons just waiting to cut me and Tango up, beep at us for not going fast enough or make it there mission in life to get in front of the bright Orange Smart car and get one place ahead. I mean that morning coffee will be getting cold.

As I got in to Tango I was thrilled to see that when I turned the ignition key and my radio sprang to life blaring out some group I had discovered just the other week, that my clock was reading the correct time. I was not so thrilled when I had to adjust not only the dash mounted clock but the digital one, especially as all three clocks now read a minutes difference and my OCD kicked in. 'Ahhh bollocks' what do I care I am not the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and I was not late, BBC One's news had told me so.
 
Anyhoo a full shift at work 8am until 4pm. By the time I got home, it was approaching either 5:45, 5:46 or 5:47. Clothes off, leg off, mountain bike gear on and BTK Crossover on. Juice in bottle, GoPro in backpack, grab bike and I was off. I mentioned in one of my other blogs I was going to start riding the bank up to Wagtail Lane as a means of gauging my fitness. It's a canny click and once up it the lane continues with ups and downs past the wind mills. I definitely found the bank easier today. Not only that after I adjusted my saddle yesterday evening and Ern had a look at the cleats on my shoes I am happy to say the medial pain in my knee appears a lot better. I forgot I did not tell you about the pain I got from Saturdays ride. After 22.5 miles when I came in my good knee was absolutely killing me. I honestly thought I had damaged something. It's not great having a bad leg when you have your own two legs, but it is even worse when you only have one and it starts hurting. Saturday evening I could hardly hop whilst using my crutches. As I sat at my computer I did some research into the cause of knee pain and came across this great article which I have taken advice from and it appears to work.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/take-care-of-your-knees-part-2-17445/

Again just a short tootle out tonight. I have an idea of roughly how far 9 or so miles are and at the moment I am happy just building up my fitness, not over doing it, yet pushing myself where I need to.

  

Coming doon the farmers trail, no not that farmers trail lol

I'm balancing here...honest!!!

I managed to get a few shots with my GoPro  whilst out, so all in all a canny little ride out. Mind you not sure just wearing a short sleeved jersey was a great idea it was a lot cooler than I thought.

BTK Crossover

BTK Crossover in flexed whilst out of the saddle

Coming around the corner at the bridge near Qukaies

Over the ickle Stream

Once back, oven straight on and 3 Southern Fried Chicken breasts along with a packet of Uncles Ben's Rice. I am a poor eater, something I should really sort. I can kind of go all day then binge. Been in shower, full tummy and Ern has just brought me a nice cuppa whilst I finish off writing my blog....Cheers Ern!

A little tootle out on the Silverback Synergy Fat

With my new job I am now working more hours, 30 over 4 days. This means I get Thursday,Friday and Saturday off. Yesterday even though the sun was shining through my bedroom window when I awoke I just  felt 'nowt flash' as they say. So it was a relatively boring day lounging about.

Great to be out

This morning again the weather did not look too bad so I decided to go for a short tootle out on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. As I went to get my bike I thought 'Ooh there is still a nip in the air', so I popped my old Royal Racing soft shell jacket on top of the 2 base layers and my Royal jersey.

I manoeuvred my bike past both Ern's new car, he has been getting a 64 plate Citroen Multispace and my little car 'Tango'. I then pushed my bike through our garden intending on going out at the front of the house. Yay all set to go, as my bike was outside on the pavement I pressed the lever to drop my saddle and 'Grrrrrrr' the bloody thing had gone wonky again. The seat post, which is a Race Face Turbine dropper did the same thing just last week. I am now regretting not going for a Rock Shox like on my Sandman and Ibis Mojo. The Rock Shox uses hydraulics and the only prob I have ever had is wear and tear, where the post starts to get worn and moves a tiny bit side to side. The Race Face is an air, plus cable operated system. For some reason the cable keeps getting stuck, this means the post just will not stay down when sat on. It will not lock.

Bath Tub Loop 3 times

Due to socket issues, my everyday limb is killing me I haven't been out and about as much. Yes you can always tell with me when things are not so good as my blog kind of gets left on the sidelines.

Well today even though I am sporting a nasty bruised and sore sensitive area I thought enough of sitting around. You see I am on 3 days hols and there is nothing I hate more than sitting around when I am off, it is just so depressing. I hate being inactive.

At the moment I am in check socket phase with Pace Rehabilitation on both my Bartlett Tendon and Arctic ONE/ Challenged Athletes running blade. I have just lost loads off my little leg since chemotherapy last year, going down from a 34cm liner to a 30cm. Man it's tough when nothing fits, but hey ho, hopefully if I can manage not to get too sore before my new NHS check socket is complete I might be able to get out and ride and practice a spot of running, which I have to add is horrendous at the moment.

Possibly the oldest Cobbles In South Moor

Anyhoo back to today. I have been riding over on Chapman's Wells for years now, it is one of my favourite places as it is local and pretty quiet. Of late I have been riding over and depending on which way I go it is anything from 1.7 to 3 miles away. From there I do a nice little 1.7 mile loop, which is all off road apart from one tiny section. It's a canny loop for building up my fitness as it ends in quite a steep off road section. I enjoy changing things up to test myself and stop from getting bored, so on some occasions I will see how quick I can do the loop and then on others I will complete the loop in one gear, then on the next time round increase to a harder gear for the climb.

Through Glass Wood

Possibly Oldest path in South Moor

In between all this I also fool around and try to get a few snaps. I rode something like 15 miles today I know not epic, however like I say I am sore. Once home a quick rub down and I popped on my running blade and tried a little bit of jogging up and down the street.

  

Out on the Pyga after having wheels sorted, keep breaking spokes

I am really finding it hard to motivate myself at the moment. I just think it's a bit of a domino effect. Lots of little things all coming at once, which inevitably end up having a big impact on my overall wellbeing.

This is for my good friend Mark Peterson, yes I almost fell off LoL

Bath Tub Loop I named it myself

Maybe a new bike is what is needed LoL

Mondraker Crafty RR 27.5+