Longest ride out to date in Myrtle

 I awoke proper early again this morning, firstly around about 5:30 am and then again at bang on 6:39 am, the exact time I have my alarm set, for getting up for work, however today I had taken Annual Leave so why Oh why can't my brain understand "TODAY IS A LIE IN DAY". I browsed my phone to see if there was anything interesting, hoping desperately that I may have won the lottery and I could then put my dream of buying a house in Scotland and buggering off to live a pretty isolated existence. "Pah" nowt again...

Love this Wee car

Out for a tootle with John

   

The Joker

 

I then decided to get up, get ready and go out and wash Myrtle and give her a quick polish, knowing I was going to meet up with my mate John around 9:30 am'ish. I had suggested to John we could have a ride through to South Shields and in passing pop in to the VW Workshop. I just wanted to have a chat with the lad who runs the garage about a few things on Myrtle and kind of get a second opinion as it were, mainly about her rear wings and why one appears to be wider than the other and what I could possibly do to sort the issue.

Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Up

Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Out

It was very nice talking to Darren who provided me with some bits of advice and of course it is always nice when someone who knows a little about these cars passes on a nice comment about your ride.

Following popping in to the garage, John and I took Myrtle down to South Shields and the sea front and rode along as far as Souter Lighthouse, getting a few pictures and thoroughly enjoying our catch-up. It has been a few months since I last saw John, life just gets in the way I guess at times.

 

Aired Up

Aired Out

Me and the Wee Bug

Got to love my custom mini surf board

We drove from Souter down to Seaburn and then headed for Sunderland, heading down to Penshaw Monument and turning in at Herrington Park where we parked up, and I grabbed us a couple of delicious double ice creams from the ice cream van.

Delicious

Bloody Lovely on a hot Day

Herrington Park with John

Travelling back home and up the Chester Road, Myrtle started coughing and spluttering a little bit, just felt like a lack of fuel. We pulled in at Grange Villa and just stood for a minute or so and surprisingly Myrtle then drove off and was fine again.

We then just did a local loop heading over to Craghead, and up Wagtail Lane, then headed down and through Burhope, going down the back road where the Wind Turbines are. Again a few snaps, then down to Sacriston coming out by the scrapyards and from there back home to Stanley.

Myrtle at Burnhope

Driving this wee car is a lot of fun I am having to watch out for the numerous potholes, as with having the low profile tyres on her, it feels horrible if I hit a hole. It just felt so good to have the windows down on such a warm day and potter around.

Me and Myrtle

Oh and my dad fitted my new Garmin 56W dash cam. It is really small and quite unobtrusive. At a later date I may get a rear camera too, as this is where I figure I will get most of my problems from irate drivers who don't understand Myrtle is an old car and has to take her time. So beep right back at ya!
  

Garmin 56W is tiny

Another very kind comment from a lady in Sunderland as we were waiting at the traffic lights, saying "I Love your car". It's awesome the positive reactions and when the wee car makes people smile...

By that Wind was Proper Cold Like

 My last long lie in before heading back to work tomorrow. I have been shielding since December of last year. I didn't really have anything planned for today, however received a surprise message from my friend John, asking did I fancy a tootle out on the bikes.

"May as well". I hadn't even looked outside to see what the weather was like, but Ern had said it was really cold and had been snowing. "Give over" I replied, "snowing indeed". As I came downstairs to have a quick cuppa before getting sorted to go out, sure enough as I looked out of our kitchen window, poor Myrtle sitting on axle stands and wheel less had a covering of snow on her bonnet.

"I had better get wrapped up" I thought so after finishing my brew hopped back up to my room and grabbed my gear, making sure I got my legging out and my thicker Endura Hoodie jacket.

I had to quickly pop the tendons back onto my Bartlett Tendon along with the cams, as I have been using the knee on my road bike, set on my turbo trainer, so tend not to utilise the tendons when I am just spinning, it's a waste of energy.

By the time I just about got sorted John was at the kitchen window and ready to go. As I stepped outside to go get my bike WoW! Did I feel the cold, weird as it looked such a nice day with the sun shining and blue skies.

Sorted we were ready for the off, well we would have been if my dam Specialized would connect to the bloody Mission Control app. It was keep asking for a poxy pin code to connect. It must have been after my bike was away getting repaired the other week, that and "Oh yeah" my old Samsung Galaxy S9 had gone tits up the other week, it  kept closing apps and coming up with errors, so much so that I had to do a complete system install and try and retrieve as much of my stuff back as possible. Anyhoo after about 15 minutes of fannying on I eventually figured out the pin code, it wasn't a four-digit code at all like what the app was suggesting, it was actually the BLE Code that came with my bike and I had stuck in the instruction manual. Just in case you lose your code, if you remove the display/button on your top tube apparently it's also printed there.

Now we could go. John fancied a ride down to Beamish, sounded like a plan as we could get some shelter amongst the tree lined route for a little bit of the ride.

Feels like ages since we have ridden up the farmers trail, it was surprisingly dry, so although it was a bit of a climb, it was slightly easier due to it not being so muddy. I won't bore you with the details of the whole route, just that we went down towards Beamish Hall and then detoured into Beamish Woods.

Beamish

John was dying for a tinkle, so we stopped opposite the small pond, and he headed off into the woods to relieve himself. I was complaining about a dog bag when he returned, honest John just went for a wee, he didn't have a dump, it wasn't John's bag. Oh! And there was also an old discarded bike, man why can't people just look after places.
  

First picture of the day, and it's of a Dog Poo Bag. It's not John's I can assure you!

Second picture of an old rusty thrown away bike

 

  

Still Cold

 

As we rode out of the wooded trail area and got back on to the road the wind was freezing cold. It got even worse as we crossed over by Tanfield Railway and headed down the trail with open fields on either side. 

John got this picture from the small bridge at Tanfield railway

It was freezing coming down this stretch of trail

Proper cold on this part, the wind blowing right across the open fields

Looks a lovely day, the wind was freezing though

 

We stopped off at the old ruins of a building and got out of the wind for a while, and had a bit banter. John even gave me a small chocolate egg, saying "here you go m8 and chocolate egg for Easter". It's the only one I have received, it sucks when you get old and no one cares LoL. I would have liked to take more photos, but I couldn't feel my hands. I am so glad I always carry my Arctic ONE buff, today it came in especially handy, well more ear'y, if that is even a word, as my lugs would have got the full brunt of the chilly wind.

The One and only egg I received this year

A ride back to Stanley and home, opting to cycle through Tanfield Village and onto the cycle track at the Factories and that was another little excursion done.

Upon getting back home my bike then wouldn't upload to Strava. All this technology that is supposed to make your life easier does my nut in. Eventually figured out it was because I had two Strava accounts, so I have deleted one, and it looks to be working now. So that was Day 513x of riding every single day in one form or another.

This leads me to the bit everyone gets fed up with, Sorry, but it is for a very worthwhile cause and that is Arctic ONE. If you sponsor me a penny a day that is only £3.65, just think about my sore bottom...Errrr! Well maybe don't, but go raid your piggy bank and pay it forward. Thanks

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

A visit to The Earl of Durham’s Monument

 It is Day 500 of cycling everyday today, so what better way to celebrate, (apart from you all donating a few quid to Arctic ONE via my link)

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

Then to go out for a nice bike ride with John.

I was up and about much earlier than need be, just can't sleep lately. This gave me the opportunity to make a couple of scrumptious fruit loaf sandwiches, containing Strawberry Jam and Quorn Spinach and Red Pepper slices...Mmmmmmm!

  

Mmmmm! One of my special sandwiches

 

John was the designated leader of today's excursion, saying he fancied a ride to Penshaw Monument. It's canny deceiving how far the trip is, both there and back from ours is, just over 26 miles according to my Strava. I have to say it's not the most exciting route, travelling down the C2C and coming out at Birtley, then lots of riding mainly on footpaths where we could as the road going up towards where Lambton Lion Park used to be is both up hill and cars travel at mental speeds.

A little history about Penshaw Monument...

Penshaw Monument

Penshaw Monuments official name is The Earl of Durham’s Monument. It has
a secret spiral staircase in one of its pillars and once on top of the walk way this leads to an impressive view as you stand on the 70feet tall structure.

Penshaw Monument

 

In the 1920s a young boy fell to his death, so the staircase was closed to the public. In the 60s vandals broke the lock preventing people from access and there was a brief period where there was unrestricted access. The National Trust now maintains the Monument and around 2011 granted access to the staircase on special designated days.

My Specialized having a rest

 

The Monument which is a replica of a Greek temple of Hephaestus in Athens, stands 446 feet above sea level. It was built in memory of John George Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham.

John at the bottom of Penshaw

 

There is no cycling within the Monument grounds, saying which it would be a pretty epic hill to climb. I struggled to push my bike up and had to stop for a breath and change my route a number of times, as it is hard going. Pleased I had my eBike as the walk assist came in very useful. Coming down was a bit more sketchy LoL
   

Man the push-up was hard, felt like my calf was going to explode

Another wee rest

Back to it

At the top I asked John would he like to try out one of my delicious sandwiches, not sure if he was just being polite as he said it was OK
I can't see him turning Vegan anytime soon. I think the photo maybe tells me he is not to keen LoL

Sharing me sandwiches with John

First bite "Nice Aren't they?"

Oh! And it was John's fault he cut our heads off in the pictures as he set up the camera on it little tripod.

View from the bottom of the hill

Sarnies ate, a quick drink, and we were off, negotiating the slippery slope back down the hill. The ride home was no less adventurous, but hey at least we were out, and it always gives us the chance to catch up and put the world to rights.

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.

Funny how you can be thankful & greatful for mud

 A great deal of us just take for granted being able to go out and carry out our day-to-day lives. Whether that be going out to work or to do a spot of shopping, meeting friends for a chat over a cuppa, or carrying out some form of outdoor exercise. With what has been happening with this pandemic, all of our lives have been turned upside down and many of the things we used to do or take part in have either changed drastically or we are not at the moment able to do them. It is generally only when you cannot do something that you realise "I really would like to do that".

The 3 Stones at the top of the Black Path

Sandman Hoggar Ti

 

It's quite strange as way before this pandemic going back to 1995 when I first took ill with my leg I experienced what felt to me looking back a certain social isolation. This went on for many years as I fought to keep my leg, however we all know how that turned out, and when I eventually elected to have my amputation, well instead of disabling me it actually enabled me to do more. So I guess now that I am shielding, for me, it has not been so bad, as I have experience of being "stuck in" somewhat and can always find something to do. On the odd occasions I cannot find something to do I am pretty good at hiding under my quilt and switching off from the world entering into my imaginary world, with thoughts of my dream home and the things I will be doing in Scotland.

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

Up for more? oh well go on then...

As lockdown has been easing and I have been venturing out just that little bit more, it was a nice surprise to get a message from my cuz David asking if I fancied a socially distanced ride out on Friday. 

I think David had seen my previous blog about heading out for a ride with John on Monday, when we went up to Smiddy Shore and back and as we haven't seen one another in Oh I would say 6 months it was a lovely opportunity to catch up.


Getting my gear sorted and heading up to my Uncle Dave's where I was to meet David didn't take long at all.  A tap on Uncle Dave's door and our David came to greet me, he then went to retrieve his bike from his car. Just then my Uncle Dave came to the door, it was smashing to see him and have a bit banter, as again I haven't seen my Uncle Dave in months due to this stupid virus.

A quick discussion on what route to take and we were off, leaving from Anfield Plain. I suggested going down on the C2C as far as Tanfield Lea Industrial estate, then cutting through the estate to the East Tanfield Railway path. From there we could ride along to the Causey Arch and eventually to Sunnyside. So this is what we did. No pics of David as he doesn't like his photo taken LoL

Once we reached Sunnyside I led the way across the road and showed David a back road and trail which leads partly across country and eventually comes out at the what I think is called "The Woodsman's Arms", anyhoo it's on the road towards Whickham.

The field behind me looked so pretty with the poppies scattered around

Very Scenic

Heading down the steep bank past Whickham Golf Club, we eventually came to a turning on our right which again led us on an off-road trail, this trail leads down what is known as Clockburn Lonnen, it's great riding down, but if you ever have to climb back up, not so much so.

Once at the bottom of this trail, you are pretty much onto the Derwent Walk and this was part of our planned route.

Riding along the Derwent Walk towards Rowlands Gill and eventually Consett, for anyone that knows the route, well they will tell you the climb is rather deceiving. It is an uphill battle all the way and can be quite exhausting.

Just as we approached the small road section of Rowlands Gill, turning down past Maguires Fish and chip shop and Gibside Country Park I felt a "twang" and when I looked down was gutted to see that my brand new Bartlett Tendon had snapped. Rather than whine on and moan about it I just asked David to take a few snaps, so that I could send them off to show Brian the designer of my knee the problem.

Awwww Man

No, it's not supposed to look like that

Back on the Cycle path, we continued on. The day was simply glorious, not too hot and stifling, but again not too cold. As we rode up towards Consett and Blackhill we noticed quite a few folk out and about, everyone was really pleasant and the majority said "hello". As we stopped briefly to take on some water at one of the viaducts a gentleman was approaching us with his dog. The man was carrying a waste bag and had one of those "grabbers" you know the sort for picking up stuff. I got chatting to him and he explained he didn't live far away "Just down at the station" I think he said. Anyhoo he explained he kept this particular piece of the path, as much as he could clean and tidy.  He was a very friendly chap and I think a worthwhile mention in my blog, not only because he was doing a selfless act, but also because he took an interest and had the time of day to be polite. That reminds me I must be more forward and ask for peoples names for when or if I give them a mention.

Soon we were back cycling away. I think it must be some time since David had been down this way, as he mentioned that he didn't recall what a long drag the path was. I mentioned that if he thought back to the old days when we were kids and where the railways ran from, so for example where we were from New Kyo near the Morrison Busty and at one time David lived just yon side of Consett Steel Works, well the tugs had to come all the way right up from the Tyne. Both Stanley and Consett are pretty high above sea level. I always remember my dad telling me that it took a tug and a shunter to control the fully laden coal and ore containers as the track was so steep.

Eventually at Blackhill, then there was a little climb up towards Tesco, once past here the ride back to Anfield Plain wasn't too bad.  As we got back to Uncle Dave's I said my goodbyes and rode back home, in total I had covered 32 miles. Not a bad little outing, all done on Eco mode on my Specialized Turbo Levo on about 15% assistance.

Moving on to Saturday...

After Fridays ride out and actually feeling decidedly ropey from getting up till going to bed, with a tummy that felt like an inflated football I wasn't exactly sure if I was up for a ride out on Saturday with John.

John had asked me on Monday did I fancy a ride to the coast and back and I warned him "It's not the going there, it's the coming back". Anyhoo late Saturday night John messaged me saying he was up for a ride to the coast. Now in hindsight, I am wondering had John had one too many cans late Friday evening, as man when he rocked up this morning he looked a bit rough, "errrr Sorry John, but you did"

John should have known he would struggle with a ride to the coast from the off, the telling sign was when we had got less than a mile heading up the farmer's trail and he commented "I can't remember this being so hard", at least I think that was what he was referring too I didn't look back just in case.

Farmers Trail

Anyhoo I am not going to write the whole route, other than to say we went down the C2C following Route 7 and eventually got to Sunderland. 

Kings Head on the C2C, his crown used to twirl in the wind and make a cool noise

John thinking about his bottom I bet

Me looking a bit pasty

Me

Johns pic of me at the mariner

By the time we had got to Souter lighthouse, I had lost count of how many times John had informed me about his annihilated bottom. 

So where exactly does it hurt?

John says my hair just looks windswept

We stopped briefly along the coastal path for a bite to eat and to take on some water and as usual had a bit of a laugh and shared some good craic.

Lovely ride along the coastal path

We then made a plan to ride down into South Shields and stop off at the park where the little steam train runs and take another small break.

Whilst we were in the park I asked John which way he fancied going home as we had a few options. He replied he wasn't too bothered as at that point his ass was broke anyhoo, plus no matter which way we went there was a climb.

I suggested we could try and find the pedestrian tunnel, as I knew it was now re-opened. This would take us under the Tyne so that we were on the Newcastle side and from there we could ride along the Quayside and eventually head up through Watergate Park and Sunnyside to get home. John agreed to this so after having something to eat and drink we set off again in search of the Pedestrian Tunnel.

As we headed towards the Port of Tyne it didn't take us long to discover signposts directing us to the Pedestrian Tunnel, which were heading towards Jarrow.

A little bit of history about the Pedestrian Tunnel which goes between Howdon and Jarrow connecting the North of Tyneside to the South. Information taken from http://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/ where you can discover more interesting things.

"Construction of the Tunnels began in 1947. Two shafts were sunk, one on each bank, before the connecting Tunnels, were excavated by miners operating in compressed air.

The Tunnels were opened on 24th July 1951 by Transport Minister Alfred Barnes.

They were part of the North East’s contribution to the Festival of Britain, and built at a cost of £833,000. the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels for years provided a safe and reliable way for thousands of workers to cross the river to work in the shipyards and factories that then lined the Tyne.
At their peak, around 20,000 people used the Tunnels every day. By the time the Tunnels closed for refurbishment in 2013, that had dropped to 20,000 per month.

The number of users declined as Tyneside’s industrial profile changed and the first vehicle Tyne Tunnel opened nearby in 1967, car ownership grew and lifestyles changed.

By the early 2000s, the Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels were in a poor state of repair. The harsh underground conditions and general wear and tear led to frequent breakdowns of the escalators and vertical lifts. The costs of repairs spiralled.

In an effort to guarantee the future of the Tunnels, there was a successful application to have them listed as a structure of special historical interest. They were granted Grade II listed status in May 2000.

The then Tunnels’ owner, the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority decided that to revive the Tunnels as a safe, reliable means of crossing the river, a complete refurbishment was necessary. The Tunnels closed in May 2013 and re-opened on 7th August 2019".

Soon we were at the building where you can gain access to the tunnel. There was no one else there so no one to ask about how to go about getting in. As we stepped further into this building we saw that there was an area closed off. I thought this was some sort of....Errr I don't know what I thought it was, maybe some sort of transportation device to get you to the bottom of the tunnel, but not a lift. Anyhoo upon getting to the top of the escalator...dear me, it was a long way down. I mean like a LONG WAY DOWN and proper steep. Nothing else for it John and I began walking our bikes down this geet long set of stairs.

The tunnel

That is one long set of stairs

Oooh Errr, wish there was a lift... OH there is

Let's Go

See there is a lift

 We eventually made it to the bottom and just as we did these other folk came along on their bikes from the other side of the tunnel. I think they were playing around down there and going around and around in a loop. John and I pedalled down the tunnel on the bike side and as we got to the other side, guess what... A geet big set of escalators going back up. Words that came to mind were For F@%Ks Sake. Just then these lads came back around and we asked was this the only way out, to which one of them replied: "you do know there are lifts at either end". Well I just looked at John and he looked at me, then this guy laughed and said: "you didn't carry your bikes down the escalators did you?" "Of course not mate do I look stupid" LOL

Well, that was quite the adventure. The signage said 7 miles to Newcastle and the Quayside from this side of the tunnel. Man, it was one hell of a 7-mile ride, felt never-ending.

Yay eventually in the Toon and heading along the Quayside on the Gateshead side. Another slightly longer break at the Dunston Staithes as at this point I thought John may start crying about his broken bottom. I cheered him up somewhat by reminiscing about the story of his "Bastard Fish", apparently this is a recognised fish, well in John's world. It is a fish that goes around eating other prized fish and is so greedy it ends up choking on its prey. Personally, I would just call it a greedy fish, but John is adamant it's a Bastard.

It was great to see John proper belly laughing, memories of days out with your pals are some of the best, even when things don't go according to plan. Oooh, I almost forgot John was also quite chuffed in that I rode through some dog shit, which flicked up off my tyre and went up my back apparently. John saying I'm pleased it's your turn, as normally he has to retrieve a poos stick to solve his crap problems. Well, you know what they say "shit for luck", maybe I will win the lottery tonight.

I am so glad I was on my Ebike, massive respect to John I don't think I could have made it home without a little electrical assist. The final push coming home from the bottom of Lobley Hill, up into Watergate Park and Sunnyside is pure torture. Poor John was wrecked, his new bike having only 11 gears and not the usual "granny ring". So coming up the steep banks there was some walking involved.

Once back to the Tanfield Railway track it wasn't too bad, we just came along over the Causey SArch and the back trail towards Tanfield Industrial estate, then from there up to the C2C and taking the route up Barn Hill and Station Bank at the back of the Indoor Market. I used Turbo mode and flew up the bank. Have to admit my old ass was starting to ache a few miles back too.

Into Stanley, down to John's and said "Bye Bye" then straight home. Total ride 50.16 miles. A quick Whatsapp to a mate in Australia, put my gear away and then into my bedroom to carry out my exercises as its a core and arms day today, yeah I am a glutton for punishment. Got to tone this tummy and get rid of these love handles I mean I don't need them I am not in love.

The end off to nurse my butt.