What's been happening this week? And do I really need another bike? - Well of course I do...

Fox and AXS equipped 

I'm bored! And what do I do when I have a week’s holiday, and the weather hasn't exactly been great. Well apart from trying to help my dad out with our garden I have of course been looking at "Bike Porn".

I'm sure I have some sort of an addiction. My way of thinking was, as I have gone halfies on a new bathroom with the Ern, which dented my plans to save up for a campervan, well I may as well blow the remaining bit of savings on yet another bike. I was quite surprised my dad didn't put up much resistance. I guess after all these years he has just become accustomed to how I operate.

Of course, the dream of a campervan, and even one day that house in Scotland is still alive. I just printed out some pictures of the latest dream house, using my new printer I blogged about the other week, it's a Canon Selphy C1500, and I have to say it is a most excellent bit of kit for doing small postcard sized prints. The colours are vibrant and it's very quick. Just what I need to continue adding things to my now four dream boards, as Ern went and got me another one just the other day.

It has been a while since I mentioned how my book is going. That's right I have written a book about my journey, and I am in the process of getting it self-published, using a company called Publish Nation. So far, I have paid for an express critique and an express proof reading. I received some very positive feedback from the critique concerning my tone, and how my personality came through. Things to look at were as I expected my grammar, and punctuation. I have learned a lot over the last few months about writing and layout, punctuation and grammar. I didn't realise I was quite so bad at certain aspects. I have to say Publish Nation so far have been excellent and they even helped put me in touch with a friendly gentleman to help design the cover of my book. 

This will be part of the front cover to my book Lost2bFound

The cover of a book is apparently what can sell a book. I always had this idea in the back of my mind of how I wanted it to look, and what I would like it to represent; however, I am not sure everyone will get it. For me the reason I chose black and white for the cover, is because I wanted to convey a sense of "Darkness to Light", which kind of described my life’s journey.
Anyway I guess once it's out there, that will be that, and it will either be of interest to people or a complete fail. At the end of the day, I'm just pleased I had a go, and if nothing else I enjoyed the reflection, and some of the memories it brought back. If it receives some positive feedback well that would be a bonus.

I will post when my book is out and links to where anyone interested can get a copy. It will be released in ebook, paperback and hardback.

Next on the agenda, wor Neville, wor ickle border terrorist. He is settling in nicely and growing ever so slightly in size. He has a wonderful if somewhat mischievous character and has brought so much joy and happiness into our home, even if I am now getting up at around five in the morning every day. Nev is my constant companion. I can't go anywhere without him wanting to be by my side, this includes when I want to have a bath or shower. He will whine at the bottom of our stairs until I open the baby gate then follow me up into our bathroom, then stand on his little back legs with his front placed over the edge of the bath, watching as I get washed. Each morning, he goes ballistic when I let him out of his crate, as if he had not seen me in months, and once settled somewhat appears to smile and is keen to play.

Wor Neville

 

Okay well I guess onto this new bike I got my eye on, but before I do a little background. So the other week I went out on my Santa Cruz Heckler SL. I love the bike, the Fazua motor has taken a bit getting used to in how it works and the power delivery, however, I like the overall feel of the bike. I think the only drawback is that Fazua don't offer a larger battery or range extender, so upon my latest ride out I covered approximately thirty-four miles, and upon returning home I was on one bar of battery remaining. The Heckler feels and probably is more like a trail/enduro bike, something I knew before purchasing it, and I was happy with my decision to get it, as I intended to use the bike on rougher trails with jumps and drops and whatnot, I still do.

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR

So on to this new bike. I started looking at bikes that were more XC orientated, in fact some months earlier I was actually thinking of getting an analogue gravel bike. Pretty much as soon as I went online, I saw a Scott Lumen. Now what drew my attention initially to this bike was the fact it looks so neat and tidy in its design. I particularly liked how the rear shock was hidden inside the frame. I then started researching weight, the motor, which is a TQ, the range, and whether a range extender could be fitted, specs and of course prices.

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR

Following a little more research I could see I could get a Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR 2024 at a considerable discount from when new, and the only difference I could see between it and a 2025 model was the colour and the rear shock. The 2024 model having a Fox Nude 5 EVOL and the 2025 having a Fox Nude 6. I have to admit I am not entirely struck on the 2024 colour scheme, which is prism grey green, but saying that I haven’t seen one in the flesh as yet. One of the main reasons I went for this bike is the range, which certain sites have said can be as much as 100 miles with the range extender, and of course dependent on terrain and level of assist.

Love the frame and shock intergration

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR with AXS 

Not sure of colour

Range extender fits canny neat

Very neat display

 

 

 

I didn't want another full power bike; part of the reason I opted for the 60nm Santa Cruz Heckler SL and now this lighter Scott Lumen which has a claimed weight of 16.6 kgs, and has a TQ motor offering 50 nm with a 300-watt hour battery. The range extender at 160 watts, adding an extra 44% battery capacity.

Now all I have to do is await J's Cycles to get my bike in from Scott and of course start saving up once more for more toys.

A trip to hospital...Again! along with a few aquistions, some of which I just can't get excited about.

Hello...

Well, where to start. I guess I will just type and see where it takes me.

 

Me and wor Nev

Yesterday I had an appointment over at the University Hospital North Durham and the inflammatory bowel disease clinic. This time around I got to see a doctor, my first time meeting anyone other than a nurse, and it's now been almost a year of having these God-awful symptoms. The doctor was very friendly, informative and reassuring which helped al lot in knowing what exactly the plan was moving forward. 

You see I have been pretty ill with this ulcerative colitis, and since being diagnosed I am now on my third course of steroids, which aren't particularly good for me. The clinic as I think I have mentioned in a previous post had tried me out on some medications, however each time I have been reactive, and had awful side effects. Fingers crossed with some trial and error I can get on something that will keep the symptoms at bay, and also I will be okay on. If these next few treatments don't work, all of which contain mesalamine, well the next course of action is to try out an antibody drug, called Vedolizumab.

As soon as I read my hospital letter that I received yesterday and saw this drug. I just thought "Oh shit I don't want to go on that stuff, it ends in mab", and the last stuff I had to take for almost two years, "Rituximab" which was another antibody treatment for my non-Hodgkin’s made me feel ill This was no word of a lie for about 4 years. Never mind, no good stressing about the unknown. Now I am just very happy I have been able to get out on my bikes, reconnected with an old school friend, and that is Carl, and been out with my other buddies Lee and John. Cycling is such a huge part of my life, and it really does give me head space, whether it's out with friends or on some trail all on me Todd.

Now then what next? Well, I have now got in in my head that as it is taking me so long to manifest my dream home in Scotland and that illusive win on the lottery, mind you I did win the princely sum of £3.90 last week, that I would change tact. So now I am pining for a campervan. This moves me along to my next bit of this blog and something I just can't get excited about. 

So, I have been saving over the last few years. I mean I don't have a vast amount, as I only work part time, plus I have reduced my hours at work, so now have even less. Anyways The Ern decided we should really have a new bathroom fitted. Me, "Mmmmm, either campervan or bathroom". Well, I decided to give in to Ern and I suppose it is a more sensible decision and go halfies on a new bathroom. Omg! How dear is a new bathroom? Saying which the company we have decided to go with has been brilliant, even going as far as to inform us as soon as soon as we entered their showroom that they could save both my dad and I a substantial amount of wonga.

Now I don't know if you are aware of this, but if you are registered disabled, or as I call myself "a professional cripple", you don't have to pay VAT on certain things. No one ever told me this for instance when I bought new cars in the past.

Anyhoo the campervan has had to be put on hold, as my savings have taken a bashing, however that hasn't stopped me looking. I even thought about either selling or trading both Lola and Grandma my respective cars, but that idea soon disappeared in a heartbeat. For the time being I am just going to pine, pine some more and do what I do best and daydream. Something I am very good at doing. I can just picture the scene now travelling about in my campervan, hopefully without the shits of course, as those porta potties aren't ideal. I can see myself up in Scotland, one of my favourite places. Ideally in my head of course I would be retired, and each day would be my own, with no real plans and let destiny take me wherever.

What next, well as if I haven't enough guitars that I think, or hope I am getting somewhat better at playing. I got my eye on yet another, which was on Facebook marketplace. The guitar was a Washburn, a HG12s grand auditorium model. I did some research about the model, and it sounded like a good bit of kit, so I decided to offer the gentleman who had it for sale a very cheeky bid, the guitar being advertised for £200, I offered £150. I wrote a polite message to the seller, informing him he could tell me to "Bog off", however I was over the moon when he replied and said words to the effect of "Go on then I will accept that offer, as I am fed up of time waters". Sorted, we arranged a time for me to go up and pay for and pick up the guitar.

Oh and what looks like a blemish in the images on the pick guard is the original plastic protection that has not been removed. This is guitar has been very well looked after and plays beautifully, obviously better in someone else hands than mine LoL

Washburn HG12s grand auditorium

Washburn HG12s grand auditorium

Beautiful colours of the wood

Cracking guitar

Tuners on the Washburn

Head stock Washburn HG12s

Oh and what looks like a blemish in the images on the pick guard is the original plastic protection that has not been removed. This is guitar has been very well looked after and plays beautifully, obviously better in someone else hands than mine LoL

 

When I arrived at the gentleman’s house I was greeted by his wife and then Graeme, the gentleman who was selling the guitar. Long story short Graeme and I got on very well and shared some interesting banter about all thing’s music and guitars. It turned out Graeme is a guitar tutor, and he was kind enough to give me a few tips, and some great advice. Graeme also told me about the "White Room" which is a musical cafe, venue on Station Road at Stanley which he owns and invited me along sometime. I will definitely take him up on his offer and pay the cafe a visit. I have to say a huge thank you to Graeme and his lovely family for being so welcoming to a bloke that just rocked up at their door to buy something, and for the very kind acceptance of my offer in the purchase of the guitar.

Next... Another purchase, this one to help with my mindset in a way, well in my way of thinking. If you happen to read my blog, you will have read about my dream boards that I have hanging on my bedroom walls. Currently I have three, however I am planning on branching out, plus doing some reorganising. Some of the things I have pinned upon my walls have come to fruition, for example bikes, a new-well refurbished Bartlett Tendon Knee and other bits n bobs. My dad, bless him is always kind enough to print out postcard sized images I gather, these can be all sorts of things, like after mentioned bikes, or houses I see online. Anyhoo I was thinking why don't I research a small printer and discovered a Canon Selphy C1500. It does postcard sized prints 4x6. Very had one advertised on their website with a ink and paper pack, so I decided I would invest. It helps that I could spread the cost, then it doesn't feel like such a big pull out at £170.

 

Canon Selphy C1500, cracking wee printer

Great quality images produced

Just have to make sure there is room at the back for paper to not get jammed

So easy to setup

How the printer arrives in a small neat box

The printer arrived within a few days, and once unboxed it was very easy to setup. The printer connected to my Google Pixel 9 Pro in no time at all and I did a practice print while my dad watched on, The Ern loves new tech gadgets. Upon printing out a black & white image I had taken of Neville and myself I have to say I was very impressed with the speed and quality of the printer and the image. My next plan is to head over to the Toon and get some shots of the urban cows, as I fancy trying some interesting and creative black and white shots, with the cows and the urban back drop.

The next purchase was a spur of the moment one, whilst Ern and I were shopping in Asda. My Phone doesn't have a headphone jack, it is one of those new-fangled Bluetooth things, and I don't trust myself to lose expensive earbuds. So, whilst perusing Asda I got my eyes on some Bluetooth earbuds, they were only a tenner, and once at home, and connected, they sound great to my ears. I bought a mP3 player yonks ago, it is still in its box, and I believe it is Bluetooth enabled so these little earbuds will be grand for when I am out on my bike to listen to a few tunes to.

Bought these from Asda

Canny for the money like

Well, we have now had wor Neville just over a fortnight. He is such a lovely little fella, with a huge personality. I am so pleased I decided to get another dog. In the short space of time he has been with us he has brought us so much joy and laughter.

Wor Nev and Ratty Rat

Nev loves nibbling ears

I thought and wrote this real quick... about wor Little Nev

 

Border Terrorist

"Hello", "hello" projected from your eyes. No need for words your thoughts are wise.

You shine so bright with so much unconditional love, which emanates from deep within.

How you run over to me, all leaps and bounds, excitedly wagging your little tail.

With your infectious smile, and your little bark, hey don't squat there and leave your mark.

You are a ging’a with a grizzled coat, bushy eyebrows and a old man's beard

With small paws, that pitter patter, as you bounce and jump here and there and everywhere.

You love to chase ratty rat, or bite your bear and make him squeak.

You're off to find Mr Stick,  there content to just lie  in the sun and have a chew.

Each time I go to make a cup of tea I have to look all around.

Because your like an assassin and move in close without making a sound.

You have a habit of sneaking up, an apparition that appears sitting at my side.

You always tilt your little head, as if understanding just what I said.

An expression of wisdom on your cute little face, before you are off running in your own little race.

When it's time for a walk, you look all around, suspicious minds, are we being followed.

You're a Border terrorist, with a cunning and devious plan. Now a much-loved member of our clan.