Many of you may not have heard of The Arctic ONE Foundation I am not sure how I became aquainted with the charity to be honest, whether they discovered me or I discovered them. Thinking back I may have been introduced to Matt Kirby and Bex Stubbings, two of the leading representitives of Arctic ONE when I was being supported by the lovely people over at what was then Pace Rehabilitation. This was way back in 2014.
Anyhoo from my point of view with dealings with the lovely people over at Arctic ONE what I like about the foundation is their transparency, their passion and how they treat everyone equally, striving to offer support where they can. Arctic ONE makes you feel like part of a big family, and friendships are formed.
We believe that Everyone should have the chance to be active. We set up Arctic One to provide opportunities to people with disabilities to get involved in sport through our grants system, our events and training days and through working with other charities to provide resources and raise awareness
Well, here I am in Spain, writing parts of this blog, I will finish it upon my return.
So fortunate to have these guys as friends.
My dad had taken me to Newcastle Airport, on the 17th of September, and came inside with me briefly. The parking charges at Newcastle Airport are extortionate.
It has been some time since I last travelled, 2013 to be exact, when I travelled to America, which was my first time taking a flight and being outside of the UK, so not being experienced I found trying to find my way around the airport quite daunting. I could feel myself getting anxious, however, I am getting better at understanding my inner feelings, so changed this to a more positive "Oh you are just excited". I decided to approach the man on the Bureau de Change and after getting initial directions I figured out the next steps to eventually get to the boarding area.
I was flying with EasyJet and have to say the plane was a little smaller than Iexpected. My recollection of my last flights all those years ago where of bigger planes with more room, this is of course, when I think about it, was because they were International flights, taking many hours and not just a 2-hour hop over.
The flight over was without incident, I was in a window seat and as we were coming in towards Alicante I could see the sky light up with flashes of lightning which looked amazing.
Things are going very well with the short documentary film I was invited to be featured in. So far, the film has won 6 awards, and it is still in the running to be chosen for more. As I posted last week, I had some exciting news about the film being screened in Barcelona and being invited to the event, I am so excited not only to attend the screening in September but also to get to spend some time with some of the amazing people who worked on creating and telling my story about part of my journey and who are also now dear friends and lovely people.
I have often been asked, "Where and when can we see the film?" well, I am sure at some point, it will be available to the general public however, for the time being, it has to do the rounds at film festivals. Rest assured, as soon as I can pop a link to the full film, all 22 minutes of it, I will. The film has quite an emotional effect on me each time I watch it. I think, No, in fact, I know that Dragos has captured something in the film that is very special.
With regards to the film and me now having to find money to privately fund my sporting prosthetic needs, I thought it may be a good idea to get in touch with BBC Radio Tees and see if they would be interested in my journey, encompassing the ups and downs of what has been going on.
Within the hour of firing off an email, I got a response from Dave Llewellyn, a producer and presenter over at BBC Radio Tees. Dave simply said, "What a Great Story," and we arranged a quick chat on the phone. I was then invited to BBC Radio Tees on Friday morning (yesterday the 30th of August) to meet with another presenter, Gary Philipson.
Real pleasure to meet with BBC Radio Tees Gary Philipson, what a nice fella.
The film can be found on Internet Movie Data Base and has a Facebook Page. It has recieeved some very positive feedback, as it deals with things such as disability, love, family and overcoming challenges.
Upon arrival at the Radio station, a parking place had been reserved, and everyone at the station was very friendly and welcoming to my dad and me. We were invited in by Dave and taken upstairs in a small lift to a long waiting area. Here, we were invited to a drink, coffee/tea, and we had a little chat with Dave, before Gary came along and took us through to the Radio room with the recording set up.
On my previous visits, I had done live broadcasts. However, this time round, it was to be a recorded interview that could be edited and aired at a later date on Dave's show.
We pretty much got into the interview straight away, Dave checking his equipment and then starting by saying, "Let's start with your name". It's always slightly nerve-racking when you are trying to think of answering a question, trying not to ramble on and the dreaded "Err's, Ahh's and Mmm's" that can occur as you try to give yourself time to think. From my point of view, poor Dave hardly got a word in. However, he did ask some pertinent questions, which allowed me to explain what was going on.
BBC Radio Tees with the Ern
In hindsight, although I had mentioned the short documentary, I wish I had mentioned the name of the film, which is "Meet the Local Hero - Glenn Johnstone" I think I have mentioned in previous blogs about the film, but I most definitely did not choose the title. I don't proclaim to be any sort of Hero I am just an ordinary bloke who has been through some extraordinary circumstances. What I do find remarkable is, upon my journey, some of the amazing people I have had the great pleasure of meeting. In a world that appears to be going mad, there are some really genuine, nice folk out there with their own interesting and important stories and messages of hope and inspiration.
Following the interview, we said our farewells, and Ern and I went for a cruise in my wee Abarth 124. It was a lovely day, so we had the top down. My dad directed me over to the Transporter Bridge, and I got a few shots for posterity. We then head home via Costco at the Metro Centre, this little car guzzles fuel I can't get it over 31.1 mpg, and I drive like Miss Daisy.
Abarth 124 Spider at Middlesbrough
Me and the wee Abarth 124
Here's one of The Ern
On the ride home, we encountered one speed bump which my car scraped off. This is after having my car fitted with coilovers and lowered, plus larger wheels fitted. As I recall, the bump was somewhere near Wingate. My car also scapes off the mountain of a speed bump at the end of our street. When we got home my dad got changed and jacked up my car, popping it right up on ramps so that he could have a look underneath to see if he could see exactly where it was catching. Ern removed the under tray protecting the exhaust, and it became clear the protective skid pan was the culprit. I'm just pleased it isn't my exhaust I can live with the pan doing its job. My dad refitted the pan, and the car is now all good.
It has been quite a few months since I sold my Specialised Turbo Levo. In that time I have ventured out a few times on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike, which was very enjoyable, however also made me realise just how unfit I actually am, Oh and of course I have also been out on my Orbea Gain Gravel bike. Now the Orbea is electric so can offer assist, however I always try to go out and use as much of my own power as I can, rather than rely on the bike. When using the Orbea Gain even on full power up hills I still have to do a considerable amount myself, so it gives a good workout.
Recently as you will have seen on my blog I have been checking out various new E- mountain bikes. Models from Santa Cruz and their Heckler SL, Pivots, Shuttle SL and Transitions, Relay, all of which are powered by the Fauza 60 motor.
Then just by chance I saw a video on Youtube of a new model by Cannondale, it's called the Moterra SL. Now this bike is a totally different animal, in that it is classed as a Super Light, however it has the Shimano EP801 motor, kicking out 85 nm.
Cannondale Moterra SL1 Raw
The Cannondale in its SL1 form comes with some good kit, such as Fox Float Factory Suspension & SRAM XO AXS shifting. I really liked the look of the bike, I mean I would prefer more colour choice as the 'Jade Green" doesn't really do it for me, but hey the Raw colour looks pretty cool.
SRAM XO AXS Shifting
Simon EP801 85 nm
Electronic SRAM XO AXS shifting
Another thing I wasn't sure of was the 'Flex Stays', I mean they look thin and weedy. I did a little research and apparently they are up to the job and you get a fairly good warranty on the frames so it's all good.
Super Thin Flex Stays
There are now loads of reviews online so I am not going to bore you with the details, plus as yet I haven't actually had a go on the bike. That said it hasn't stopped me from finding my local Cannondale dealer which happens to be Wheelbase down in Darlington, and heading down there today with Ern to pop a deposit down on a new bike. Yeah it is a lot more than I wanted to spend, but for me it is worth it as my passion for cycling has kept me fit, focused and given me drive.
I had been speaking to Adam from Wheelbase via email and he sounded dead on. Keeping me informed when he said he would, about the current delivery schedule of the bikes and when I got down to the Wheelbase, Adam was again great. What I liked was he didn't just try to sell me a bike. He went onto Geometry Geeks, sorted out the sizes and then managed to get a bike as near to the Moterra as possible for me to have a sit on, the gave me his recommendations size wise and the potential things we could change, like a stem and bars to get the new bike just right.
I have always been right in-between sizes Large and XL so getting the right fit is very important.
Cannondale Moterra SL1 Raw
Anyhoo hopefully if all goes to plan my new ride should be in sometime around June. Looking forward to getting out in the better weather this year, just hope my old Bartlett Tendon holds up. If not well I guess I will be saving like mad for a new knee too.
A couple of weeks ago I had managed to save up a few more quid, so took my wee Abarth 124 Spider down to see the Exhaust Doctor based at Shiremoor.
Abarth 124 Spider
After doing some research on the Spider I had learned that the standard Crosspipe was quite restrictive, plus as my car is an automatic, no one offered a larger bore centre pipe.
Exhaust Doctor Abarth 124 Spider
I have already fitted a Ragazzon valved rear backbox, and although I like the look of the exhaust, the sound to me is just not as good as the standard Record Monza. My Record Monza's valve was stuck in the fully open position, and sounded a bit more "raspy". Anyhoo I was hoping putting on a larger Crosspipe and centre pipe may help my car sound a bit better.
I don't really want to change the Cat to a race one, as this involves remapping the car, something I intended to do a bit later on, but not just yet.
So the new sound of the car, well it's better than it was, a little louder and a deeper tone. I suppose the good thing is the car can be driven and doesn't have a constant "Boom", unlike Grandma my VW Beetle GSR, which constantly drones and becomes creative on long journeys. Well I imagine it would in a long journey, what did I know, having just had "Grandma" for her MOT, she had only done 206 mikes last year.
Next on the mods list was a new set of EBC dimpled rotors and Green Stuff pads. I had been waiting what seemed like ages for EBC to get these in stock. I was chuffed to bits that I checked my Blue light card, as I got £75 off, which was a canny saving.
EBC discs & pads
My dad did most of the work removing and installing the new components. I'm currently off work on the sick yet again, due to my prosthetic limb not fitting. I've been trying to wear my new socket to do everyday things, but man the socket is really uncomfortable, causing me a fatigue like pain, and also causing phantom pain. It's like having a turnaquet in my stump each time I wear my leg.
Following fitting the new brakes, my dad and I tested my new OZ alloys, using the 5 mm spacers I bought, in order to clear the Brembo calipers in the front.
Once I get a bit more money saved and the weather improves I'll get the wee car back along to Performance 28 to get the coilover suspension fitted that has been sitting in a box at the bottom of our stairs.
Everything pre-sorted the night before for this mornings mini adventure. To be honest when I checked the weather yesterday I wasn't sure I would be heading out for a ride with John & Peter, I'm getting soft in my old age.
I messaged John telling him I would have a look out my window early on and make a decision based on A. The weather and B. If I could be arsed. Anyhoo I was up relatively early, peered out of the window and thought it didn't look bad and I felt up for it.
I had already chosen my weapon of choice, and as such had fitted the tendons to my Bartlett Tendon. I had decided to take my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. My other bikes are in need of some TLC, my old Ibis is a bit of a dog and needs pulling out of the shed and servicing. My Sandman Hoggar, which I love hasn't been used in a while either. Not sure I would have got all the way around on that bike, as man the Surly Tires fitted drag like hell. My Orbea Gain gravel bike wasn't suitable for where we planned, so it came down to the trusty Silverback Fat. You see now that I am down to 6 bikes it's very clear I need to restock my stable so that I have a choice dependent on conditions and what I intend to do LoL.
And to that I am still on the fence about a Santa Cruz Heckler SL and recently I have been looking at an Orbea Laufey H-LTD 2024 which is an analogue 29'er.
Orbea Laufey H-LTD 2024
As I mentioned the tyres on My Sandman I may as well tell you about the Shwalbe's fitted to the Silverback. These are absolutely terrible in the mud, how I never fell off today is just pure luck as I was sliding and loosing traction all over.
On to todays mini mud fest. Well 9:00 am arrived and no John or Peter. There I was waiting outside and trying to see up the bank, the fog becoming thicker in the 10 minutes I stood waiting. John then called saying Peter had a puncture in his back wheel and was on trying to fix it. I took the time I was waiting as an opportunity to go across over on to the green opposite our house to clear up a black bin bag which had been left by some scuffy git, the contents strewn all over the grass, empty beer cans and pizza boxes and other various bits and bobs of rubbish. Ern came out to help and gave me a pair of gloves and one of those picky uppy thingies. After completing my community service John rang again saying Peter had now tried fixing the puncture 3 times, but it just kept going down.
Time to call on the services of Super Ern. Ern and I had a quick rummage in our shed and found two 29'er inner tubes, jumped in Ern's car and headed up to Peters. After inspecting his tyre and wheel and handing Peter one of the new inner tubes he went about installing it. "What do you mean Peter you don't have any tyre levers"? Peter then tried using two spoons. Upon going to inflate the tyre "Psssssssssss"! "Ok lets go down to ours and try the other tube down there as we have more gear"
Yay it stayed up
Down home Ern removed the tube Peter had just put in, Peter must have nipped the tube a there were two small nicks... Damn spoons. Ern and I then had a go at putting in another new tube and although it was a faff and really hard to get the tube in without being nipped, the tyre appearing to wide for the skinny little rims, we eventually managed and the tyre stayed up. Moral of the story "get some tyre levers, oh and a track pump".
Ok we were off, heading down the street and going up to the farmers trail.
Heading to No Place and then Beamish.
Farmers Trail
Me and Peter coming up the muddy farmers trail
Going into Beamish Woods and having a little play. I took John & Peter to where the jumps and berms had been put in. Quite a bit of pushing up the hills as they were slippy as hell with mud and roots.
Pleased I put my long Endura pants on today
The Stream was pretty high today
John
All the fallen leaves looked pretty
I had a quick bash at coming over one of the drop offs and John who was acting camera man with his fancy Apple phone got some decent shots today.
Beamish Woods
Love not acting my age
Useless Fat Tyres with no grip at all
Following on from Beamish and having traversed the trail at the top of the woods, we then got on to a off road section that would bring us to the main road, and we headed as if going towards Sunnyside. I was pretty tired, however just kept plodding away, until we got back on ayet another off road trail that would take us towards Tanfield Railway.
A little plays in the puddles at this point.
Nowt like playing in puddles
Don't think the old dears where impressed with me playing
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Peter having fun
Once opposite Tanfield Railway's car park, we headed along the Causey Arch Road and to the picnic area and took the trail towards Tanfield, riding along past the Industrial estate and up on to the C2C and from there home.
This burn was hand dug out and is really steep at yon side
I said my goodbyes to the lads and when I got home was he my bike. Ern and I had a Quick Look at my Race Face dropper seat post as it had been sticking throughout my ride, then. went indoors. My dad had got me an allay breakfast. I had a lovely hot shower got me clothes back on and the wolfed down the breakfast which I was really ready for.
A very enjoyable ride, even if my old bones are slightly aching a bit.
A couple of weeks ago I got a message from Temarah Galant, who's is one of Silverback Bikes brand and marketing + communications personnel.
Temarah went on to ask could I recall about 3 years ago, I had done an article as an ambassador for Silverback Bikes, going on to inform me that the piece had resonated within the cycling community, and it continued to inspire people.
Very kind words, truth be known I struggle to accept positive feedback, as for me, all I am doing is getting on with life and trying to make the best of some unfortunate circumstances.
Anyhoo Temarah asked would I be up for taking part in another feature, this time a sort of VLOG. Silverback Bikes have always been supportive of me so it's nice to offer something in return.
Temarah sent across around 16 questions and asked could I record myself answering them.
Now whilst I don't mind riding my bike and doing a video, I hate doing the close up talky interview bits. I consider myself not be at all photogenic, and just don't like seeing myself on camera. I can never get my words out LoL, and upon watching myself back, tend to pick out every last detail of what I don't like about myself...Hey we can't all be perfect I guess.
I had been waiting for the weather, to try and get a decent day for the video, it's now winter, who was I kidding, and as Temarah had kindly asked " do you think you can have it done by the 13th", I decided to head out on Thursday.
Questions and answers prepared after giving my responses some thought. I gathered my bikey bits n bobs, including my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. My dad Ern who has just turned 83 on the 4th November offered to tag along. This would be handy as he could help me setup and read the questions, so that I could respond to them.
But hold on, we didn't get away immediately, firstly we couldn't find our small tripod, then after about half an hour of searching including in our loft we discovered it in our wee shed.
I told Ern "I'll ride over to the field where we used to take wor Baxter, and you can meet me there". Just as I went to set off on my bike my Bartlett Tendon Knee locked up..."Aww man".
So Ern and I decide to just pop my bike in the back of Erns mobile skip, that's what I call his car, and we headed off to do the interview.
When we arrived at the field, at the back of Langley View, the noise from the traffic on the bypass was just too loud. So I suggested Beamish Woods, down by Eden Place. We then walked back to the car, reloaded my bike, and headed over to Beamish.
Once at Beamish we unloaded the car and set off, me pushing my bike as obviously I couldn't ride it.We through the woods going down some steep bank sides, were there was a sort of trail, which was covered by beautifully coloured leaves all various golden colours and hues of browns until we found a suitable spot, where a fallen tree made a good spot to have a sit on and carryout the interview.
Now to the interview. I had decided to use my GoPro, hoping the onboard mic would be okay. Man doing the interview was harder than I thought. I just couldn't remember what I had written to each question, so had to ad-lib quite a lot. I got tongue tied, swore a canny bit when I didn't get what I wanted to say out and tried to not use " Mmm's & Err's".
Eventually I managed to get all 16 questions answered, wish I could have remembered exactly what I had written to each question, as it would have sounded a lot better I think it would look a bit daft sitting on a log reading out answers whilst also wearing my gigs.
A hike back to Erns car, I sometimes forget he is getting on in years. I mean there he was helping me push my bike up the steep side of a bank side with no complaints. I love spending time with my dad, although it is very frustrating at times as he is so hard of hearing these days, and his goto response is " What?".
Upon getting home and warmed through. With an inspection of my Bartlett Tendon it soon became apparent that a circlip had come off one of the pins in the knee. The pin had then gotten bent and it was this stopping the knee bending as it was catching the knee frame. Ern got to work on my knee as I went up to my room to download the footage we had just shot.
Upon checking the footage I was gutted to find my first interview question and answer missing, where the hell it had gone I'll never know. I did a small amount of editing, using Wondershare Filmora, using my new Mac Pro. I'm still trying to get to grips with the Apple Mac. Obviously I had to edit out all the sweary bits LoL. I didn't think it was appropriate to have " Aww Bollocks and Fecking Hell Man" included in an interview.
That done I sent the files to Temarah, so along with some of my videos I already have on YouTube I think Silverback Bikes should be able to make a decent VLOG.
Whilst we were down the woods it looked so pretty, what with all the fallen leaves, as mentioned, and with all the rainfall of late, there were pools of water, that had formed like little ponds. I decided I would return on my bike on Friday and have a little ride and play about, maybe shoot a video.
Silverback Synergy Fat Bike
Sometimes I just love being by myself, in my own little world doing my own thing, with no stresses and worries, playing around like a big kid. The woods were pretty soaked. It's funny the things that bring joy, for me it's riding through dry leaves and the sound as they crunch under my tyres, or on a cold winters day and again the sound of crunching ice as I ride over a frozen puddle. In the cold weather the feel of the fresh air as it burns your lungs and lets you know you are alive.
Friday morning, my dropper seat post won't pop up and for some reason as I set off on my Silverback Fat Bike the gears are all out of sink. I fiddled with the gear cable and managed to get a little better gear selection, then headed up the farmers trail, which would lead me to No Place, yes it's an actual name of a place, I then drop down to Beamish and the woods.
I began shooting footage, not really riding any particular trail, actually I tried to stay out of the dense wooded area, as I knew my GoPro wouldn't do well in the dark light.
It's hard work riding then having to come back for the camera, so each small movie I shoot although I have loads of footage, it's mainly going to and fro to start and stop the camera, then move it a little and place it for the next shot. There was some lovely lens flares to be had. I just figured out why the woods looked so dark...what a plonker I had my Oakley sunglasses on, which I think are way too dark in there lens. I think I'll keep these ones for the car and invest in a new pair with lighter lenses. They are just so expensive, as I'm practically blind without gigs I have to get prescription vary-focals...mega bucks.
I did pretty well yesterday I only slipped once in the thick mud, pity I didn't catch that on camera as it was hilarious, trying to catch myself with one leg that knows what it's supposed to be doing and a prosthetic one that I can't feel where it's placed and having a mind of its own, then doing the wild thing trying to keep my balance. Ultimately I didn't and fell in the mud. I also washed out on a particularly muddy bend, luckily just before a rock garden, with some pretty nasty looking sharp rocks.
After filming what `I thought was enough for a 5 minute video...How wrong was I LoL, I was beginning to get tired, man I miss my eBike. Don't get me wrong I love the Fat Bike, but that assistance to get home would have been nice.
As I was coming up the C2C I was just about to turn up towards Iceland and the steep bank to get me from the C2C to the carpark at Iceland, when "Snap" my inside tendon and cam went slack. As I checked my knee I discovered that the stud that holds the inside cam had sheared. "Damnit", this has now happened a few times. I had to take my leg off , sit on the wet ground and remove both cams and tendons completely, then pop the parts in my bag, followed by getting back up, dropping my shorts, whilst hopping about, and try and reattach my leg.
I then goy back on my bike and I was proper proud that I managed to climb the steep bank without getting off and then ride home through Mordor, also known as Stanley, then down and back to home.
My dad was in our back yard helping to mend my daughter's, partners car and my grand daughter Francesca was outside with her daddy. She looked a little cold, so after I washed my bike, she ended up coming inside and I guess I got roped into baby sitting. Francesca's 3 years old. I'm a bit out of practice with kids, in fact never really been good with them, give me a dog any day LoL. That said wor Francesca is a canny cute bairn and she was really well behaved, and it was nice to spend some time with her.
We watched TV, played pat a cake, listened to music and danced, drew pictures and coloured in and practiced counting, to the nursery Rhyme 1,2,3,4,5 Once I caught a Fish alive, Oh! and Francesca even had a go strumming on my guitar. She was fascinated by my prosthetic leg, especially my plastic foot with blue painted toe nails, however she now wants them painted her favourite colour red.
After Francesca had gone home with her dad I was able to have a shower, as I was filthy not having had a chance to get washed before baby sitting.
I then set about creating a short movie and searching for appropriate free music to accompany the feel and flow of the video. Hope you like it.
I have had to wash and polish LoLa my wee Abarth 124 Spider yet again. Ern said he heard something on the news about sand coming over in the atmosphere all the way from the Sahara, so that would explain the horrible dirty and gritty appearance of her Thursday morning.
LoLa nice and clean I decided I would try and get some pics of her, as I wanted to see a couple of photo comparisons of her wearing firstly the grey mirror caps, tow eye and lower bumper trim and then the new red parts I had added. I am still on the fence. I have never seen another Blue Abarth 124 with red bits, well in truth I have only ever seen 3 of these cars in the flesh, the one I mentioned in a previous blog, going over the Redheugh Bridge and I can't recall it's colour, another Red one I had a sit in at a local dealer, and of course Lola my Blue car.
Abarth 124 Spider LoLa
I had had my Pentax K30 camera battery on charge. Wow this camera is now about 10 or 11 years old I haven't used it a great deal. Although I love photography I am no photographist and as such the technical stuff on a camera, well its beyond me. I would say I have a good creative eye, however I am more of a point and shoot guy... hey that Rhymes Lol.
Abarth 124 Spider LoLa
So this morning upon getting up I firstly went and put a few quids worth of petrol in LoLa, man it's dear £1.66 a litre for Super unleaded. I only popped £15 quid in her, as I will pop to Costco later as it's a bit cheaper.
Abarth 124 Spider LoLa
Following putting petrol in LoLa I drove over to the Stream Valley, the condensation having dried off so I could pop the hood down. I love the sound of this car. If I drive sensibly she is quieter than Grandma My VW Beetle GSR, who drones at all speeds. However if I boot LoLa she gives of a throaty rasp which is pretty loud and obnoxious. The car is quite addictive and a real pleasure to drive.
Abarth 124 Spider LoLa
Abarth 124 Spider LoLa
Arriving at Stream Valley and the small carpark I retrieved my camera from LoLa's boot. I began attempting to take shots, varying from automatic, to manual and changing settings with then idea "well at least one or two shots may come out good". Finished a quick shoot I drove home to see what I had captured.
Upon popping the images on my Mac I was most disappointed, they were either way too dark or dark and blurry. I had experimented with the camera the evening before and had not been able to get a good shot and upon reading on line about the Pentax K30 read, that some cameras can experience what is known as aperture block. As my camera was/is shooting everything dark, no matter the lens I thought that it might be that and tha it was buggered.
Ern and I had a look at the camera and I asked him to try and find the recommended settings for the model. We then took the camera back to factory settings and began tweaking from there. I took a few basic shots just around home inside and outside and the camera appeared to be working better, so I will give it another go soon. I bought this camera in 2012, for when I went to America. I am pretty sentimental about things so hope it is ok and going to behave.
Of course I have now already been looking for a replacement. I quite fancy a mirror less camera, something I can change lenses on, but again something simple. I just can't be doing with having to learn all about f.stops, ISO's and EV levels. I just want to press a button and get an awesome picture then feel good at my results.
Back to LoLa... I have been spending a few pennies on her since buying her. I am now awaiting a set of OZ Hyper GT Hlt's to come from Italy, courtesy of Wheelbase.
OZ Hyper GT Hot 18's
Oh and I am waiting for a set of Yellow Speed Racing Coilovers, having thought the air ride was just a bit pricey for what I needed. They are coming from ID-Workz
Yellow Speed Racing YSR DPS Coilovers
Also on the recent purchase list and also coming from Italy, courtesy of Balance Motorsport is a Ragazzon Quad 120mm tipped Valved exhaust back box. Its gots a remote control twin valve system so I am excited to get this on and see how LoLa looks and sounds
Ragazzon Valved Backbox
I had been waiting for a Bonalume Adjustable Pop off spacer from Tuning Art, which I paid for via PayPal £164.95 however when the item didn't arrive and after contacting Tuning Art via email, telephone and their Facebook page and not getting any response I got in touch with PayPal and there is now an open case to try and get my money back. So Tuning Art gets a negative score from me and I wouldn't recommend them as a reliable company, they don't mind taking your money, however nothing arrives, then they totally ignore any communication. Basically robbing fatherless company.
Further to above PayPal has resolved my case in my favour. I got a message this morning. So for anyone reading this beware of the company going by the name of Tuning Art
I have since ordered a Bonalume non adjustable spacer from 500 Madness in the US, at least I know they deliver their stuff. So looking forward to a "Whoosh" sound.
I have been on holiday this week, pleased I took a bit time off, as after all the filming the other week I had a sore good knee. I must have banged it or something as it was all bruised and when I was walking up the stairs at work, it felt like something was going to pop.
Anyhoo my knee feeling better I asked Ern did he fancy a look down Beamish Woods, so I could show him the trails I had discovered, and possibly get a little riding footage.
My dad although still getting out and about like when he goes shopping and stuff, is not going out as much, due to us loosing our Baxter. My dad used to take him for daily walks and also from time to time to the "Bully" walks, where both Baxter and my dad made some lovely friends.
So when my dad agreed to come along I was chuffed to bits. I really enjoy spending quality time with my dad, he is so supportive of me. Today he was to be my cameraman and in charge of stopping and starting my new GoPro Hero 11, which I had been gifted by the film crew guys a few weeks earlier. Dragos M, Dragos T, Oren and Cosmin.
Rather than take my Specialized Turbo Levo E-bike I decided to take my Silverback Synergy Fat bike out for an outing. I checked in my wardrobe for some mountain bike attire got ready and slipped on my Bartlett Tendon, then sorted out my camera and bike bits and bobs, just in case I needed to tighten or adjust anything or got a puncture. Everything fitting in my Camelbak "fanny pack" bag.
I made sure I had around 50 psi in my Bartlett Tendon Rockshox Monarch RT3 and also checked my fat bikes shockers.
Looking up the Farmers Trail
I told Ern I would ride to Beamish and meet him down at the Forges and we could enter the woods from there. So I set off from home and took the Farmers Trail, which leads to No Place and then I could drop down into Beamish.
Whilst on the Farmers Trail I took a pic at the start with my phone and then decided to grab a little GoPro footage with my new camera. I am so pleased that a few days earlier I had purchased a protective cover, which came with lens protection as just look at the picture. I accidentally must have caught the cameras standout was placed on, or flicked up a stone as the laminated screen protector got cracked. I have checked and the screen underneath is okay, so well pleased with that little investment.
Pleased I bought this screen protector.
Continuing up the trail `I got a little footage of the changing weather the fields and the trail as it rises up the incline.
I dropped into No Place and decided to shoot a little scene of me riding down some steps. This took longer than I expected as I didn't have anything to place my camera on and hold it in position. The video I shot and then edited is not very long and it is a bit fragmented not telling a real story, I just wanted to see what the camera was like in the settings I had placed on it, and basically spend a bit time messing around, hanging with my dad.
I rang Ern to see where he was and he told me he was just going past the Shepard and Shepherdess, so I carried on down past Beamish Hills, around the round about and down the steep bank, down from the pub. Ern was just pulling up as I arrived and we headed up the tight trail in towards the woods. Ern walking and me riding as far as I could before the trail gets a bit tight. There are loads of nettles and Whinny Bushes, horrible bloody things.
Saw two lads on motorbikes just the other week in here...Scumbags
Once in the woods my dad and I walked along the bottom trail and then we turned up and I pushed my bike up the steep hill whilst Ern followed. My dad does really well, considering he will be 83 in November of this year. A little hike along the top trail and I then pointed to where the trails began, where someone has purpose built bike drops, jumps and berms etc.
Silverback Synergy Fat Bike
Lots of the jumps and drops are way above what I would attempt. I can't afford to break a leg, or my neck for that matter. It's strange as you get older, you tend to become more cautious, where as when you are young you throw caution to the wind.
I can remember back in the day my friend Carl Walker and I organising a petition and presenting it to our local council. It was for a BMX track to be built. We never thought we would get anywhere, however someone must have thought it was a good idea, as within a few weeks diggers showed up and cleared a site. They then built this what we thought at the time was an amazing BMX track. It was actually on the site of roughly where Iceland is now. I bet some old fogies at the time would have thought "Those idiots will kill themselves on those big jumps", yet there we were attempting 360's off table tops and flying around berms, on bikes which had none of this new fangled technology, so no suspension, or carbon frames and well electric bikes hadn't even been thought about or invented.
A few Video Snapshots so a bit Blurry
Coming around a bend
Skidding a Bend
Ern and I had a little scout around and I selected a few lines with appropriate wee jumps and drops, made more for the senior citizen. We then set up the GoPro and had a few takes on each section. Man all the pushing up the hills I was bloody knackered. It felt like we had been down the woods hours. I only managed to get enough footage to make a 1 minute video, by the time it was cut and I edited it LoL.
Playing down the woods
Me
The Ern
On the Fatty
Never mind both Ern and I had a laugh, and it was lovely to spend some time with Pa Bear. Back to Stanley in the car and Ern popped to Cooplands for some sandwiches and coffees. I have been on trying to edit my videos using Filmora and getting to grips with the new Mac Studio I bought. It takes a bit of getting used to.
My old PC just can't hack editing video footage, especially HD stuff. I think one, maybe even two of the Hamsters that power it have died.
Ooh Ern is going to sort my gears out tomorrow as my chain kept slipping over the largest ring.
