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.