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.

Early morning surprise, then a trip to find some urban cows

It appears my body clock has decided that five minutes past five in the morning is my new wake-up call. 

Since getting Neville I have had my morning alarm set for six anyway. So this morning was no different. I awoke at the aforementioned five past five, then attempted to snooze for a further twenty minutes or so.

Eventually, I threw off the throw I had slept under and reached over and closed my bedroom window, which had been open all night, as I thought I was getting the sniffles again. Thoughts of previous panic attacks over not being able to breathe came to mind.

Manoeuvring myself to the edge of my bed I popped my sock and shoe on, then using my bed hopped around to retrieve my leg. Now I have discovered as soon as I unplug the charger from my prosthetic limb, and it makes the small beep, then vibrates, as I drop the charger cable to the floor, Neville comes alive. He starts crying in a high pitched and sorrowful manner, as if to let everyone know he is up and doesn't want to be alone.

I then proceeded to get dressed and as I went to go into the bathroom peered downstairs. At this point I didn't have my gigs on, however in the dim light I could make out the bobbing movement of a small dog, yes wor Nev. My dad and I had discussed leaving Neville to run free of his little in-door house, and my dad must have decided the previous night he would do this.

Anyhoo as I looked down the stairs I could see Nev, who by now was all excited and jumping up and down, behind the baby gate we had to put in place, however, I also saw three something or others.

I went into the bathroom, sorted myself out, and then went and got my glasses. When I returned to the stairs and started down them, that's when I thought, and indeed said "Aww shit," I mean quite literally, there were three piles of dog shit. My first thought was "fucking hell, has there been an Irish wolfhound in wor house," I mean a little Border terrier can't have crapped all that out.

Never mind, I picked Nev up, who was bouncing all over the shop as I got to the bottom of the stairs and placed him in his house, locking the door. I didn't want him bouncing in shit, and then being like some modern artist creating his own unique "Shit art". I then set about giving the floor a good clean. I'm so pleased we have that engineered wooden flooring down.

Once all cleaned up it was time for Nev's usual daily walkies. He loves going out and gets so excited. Once out he is hilarious, walking and stopping every now and again, looking around all suspicious, with a touch of paranoia, like "Huh is someone following me? No, really I think there is, what was that noise?" 

As I walked around with my new best mate, I slipped my right hand into my jacket pocket and discovered my wee gratitude stone. I removed it from my pocket and began playing with the pebble. The pebble, which feels smooth to the touch and quite heavy for its size, instantly reminded me to just walk along, think about some of the things I am grateful for, and simply say "Thank you".

  

Neville

Neville

My gratitude pebble

Following our walk around the block and returning home, Neville being a good little lad and sitting to command at the kerbs, and even sitting while I didn't hold his lead, on the opposite side to our gate and house, we crossed the back lane and went indoors back home.

I then gave Nev a bit of a treat and mixed some nice, tender chicken into his dry food. Neville managed to sniff out the chicken and left his dry food. We then played a game of tug and fetch, as I say, on the kitchen floor, with a little roughhousing. Nev loves playing this game, obviously being appropriate not to be too rough, I mean, I have to remember he is not a bull terrier.

John and Lee, my two mates, were coming for me at eight, so I had plenty of time to do some bacon in our air fryer, then make a sandwich and a nice cup of tea, using my new Highland cow cup to drink from. A concoction of tablets taken from our cupboard and removed from their various containers, it was soon time to get ready for our planned ride out.

Neville hates me leaving him, so when I was upstairs swapping out legs and popping my cycling gear on, he was crying downstairs, on the bottom step, the baby gate preventing him from coming up the stairs.

I only have to leave Nev five or ten minutes and you would think he hadn't seen me in like a year, he gets so excited and actually it's lovely to have this type of greeting. Knowing that this new found friend, in such a short space of time thinks the world of me, and loves me.

Time had ticked away and soon John and Lee were outside mine and we were off on a semi-planned route I had been designated to choose. I had let the lads know earlier in the week I fancied getting some shots of the urban cows, as I like to call them. The cows are quite often just up from where I work at the R.V.I., in the field near the houses. I like the idea of the scene in my head, and I think I could get an interesting few images.

  

John and Lee

Wonky foot adjusted

So off we set up the famous farmers' trail, only famous in our heads, as we use it a lot on many of our biking adventures.  I had to stop at the start of the farmers' trail to adjust my foot as it felt wonky. I attempted to keep off the battery on my Santa Cruz Heckler as I climbed up the trail, however, my fitness wasn't quite there, so I resorted to a little eco assist. To be fair, I was pretty happy with my overall use of the assistance today, riding a great deal of the time with no assistance at all. I think if Fazua decides to offer a larger battery, I would invest. I don't want more power, but it would be good to have more range for those longer adventures.

Rather than write down our complete detailed route to the Toon, I will just tell you, the route was basically a reverse ride to what we would normally do when going to Newcastle. 

Once at No Place we cut through the back streets and found ourselves needing to cross the very busy and fast Chester road. From there we rode down into Shield Row and not long after were at East Tanfield Railway.

Now then, this gets me onto a section of trail, over which both I and my amigos have had a few run-ins. At the start of this trail, a trail I have to say I have ridden for over 15 years, someone has placed "No Cycling" signs. My friends and I are very respectful cyclists, however like using this trail, not only because it is very pretty and quiet, but it also potentially can potentially save our lives. I mean, if it's a choice between upsetting a few dog walkers or taking your life in your hands and cycling along the Causey Arch, this trail will win every time.

So there we are, having a very gentle and leisurely ride, chewing the fat. I was a little further ahead than my buddies and past this lady who was out jogging. I normally offer a polite "hello,"  however, this lady didn't make eye contact, and to be fair, looked in no mood to offer a polite "hello" in return. As I got to a section of the trail where I had to dismount to push my bike up some steps, John caught up with me and began with, "Did you pass that lass running, and did she say owt to you?" I replied, "Aye passed her but she didn't say owt, but she didn't look happy." John went on to say, "Oh, she said something to me, and I just said to Lee, you can handle this." John just couldn't be arsed with the conflict. Anyhoo, John and I must have waited a good ten to fifteen minutes for Lee, who eventually rocked up. John and I were expecting Lee to have gotten into some argument, but actually went on to say once he had politely spoken to the lady about outdated by-laws and how people can resolve shared access to places using respect and being sensible, well this lady was apologetic about being so forthright about "You do know there is no cycling on this path". Lee went on to try and explain, saying " You know what we are actually out just trying to do the same thing as you." "We are just a few mates, trying to keep fit, enjoying the weather and countryside." Lee then told the lady about me, saying " You know the lad you first passed, his name is Glenn, and he only has one leg, he rides because it's good for his mental health." Lee said the lady then apologised, to which he replied, "Oh you don't have to apologise, it's just about mutual respect and taking the time to have a polite conversation with someone".

Not even sure if these no cycling signs are legal, maybe just put there by a "Hater"

Now don't get me wrong I know certain places there is no cycling, however, like Lee says the by-laws are from eighteen hundred and odd. Then you get certain people who are essentially like "haters." They may have had a bad experience with a cyclist or cyclists, then automatically tar everyone with the same brush.

Man, we have some very interesting conversations on our rides out, and there is always something that happens.

So we headed towards Wickham, and went down the Clockburn Lonen, which was epic, as it's a steep decent and we were flying, it really got my old adrenaline going "Weeeeeeeee!"

Once on the Derwent walk, we made our way towards the Scotswood bridge, onto the cycle track and eventually found ourselves on the Quayside.  From there, this gives us the opportunity to use what I have to say are some brilliant cycle lanes. Now I am also a car driver and I know these lanes can piss off some folk, however travelling around Newcastle by bicycle today I found great.

Urban Cows

Urban Cows

I didn't manage to get the urban cow shots I would have liked. Ermentrude and her fellow friends were too busy grazing in the wrong place, ah, well, another day.

After visiting Leaves Park, we again used the cycle network and had a ride over to Exhibition Park. Lee grabbed some water from the Urban Cafe, and we were off on our return home. 

Band Stand in Leazes Park

Band Stand in Leazes Park

Aww, these were so cute

Little geese

As we rode home, the day turned from a dull morning to a beautiful sunny day. By the time I got home, I had only one pip on my battery display. I think moving forward, if or when Fazua brings out a larger battery, I may invest. We rode 33.7 miles. I have a sore socket, but my ankle feels okay. I didn't snap any tendons or fall off. All in all, a very enjoyable morning with some of my favourite people, oh and when I got home, an awesome reception from my wee pup, wor Neville.

Making Time

"I would say we are all guilty, at times of just letting life get in the way". What do I mean by that statement?
Well, it's just when you get so wrapped up in what is going on in your life. A life that at times you feel you have no control over. You have commitments here, there and everywhere. Everyone wants their pound of flesh from you, and you have constant adverts pushed down your throat at every turn. Then you are told what you can and can't say, and from a young age you are taught to conform and just fit in.

And breathe...

Lee &John

Yesterday for a few hours I had the best time with a couple of my favourite people, my mates John & Lee. We haven't been out cycling together for yonks, and it's because of the after-mentioned "Life" I guess. What with one thing and another, work, health, time and probably at least on my behalf laziness.

A shot by John

John's Cube eBike

So following a brief too and fro of messaging one another, I was well happy that the 3 Amigos would ride once more, even if it wasn't going to be one of our longest adventures.
The morning started with John arriving down at my house, a little introduction to wee Neville, and then we rode over to Lee's. As soon as we all got together the fun began. Heckling one another, laughing, talking about bikes and adventures, sharing memories and basically putting the world to rights.

Lee is becoming quite the oracle of bike set-up and following assisting me with my shoe cleat and riding position, went on to help adjust John's saddle and offer some advice on seat height and foot position upon his bike.

Soon we all headed off, on what was a glorious morning, with the sun shining, the birds singing and 3 blokes pulling the piss out of one another, and of course, anything we felt worthy of having the piss ripped out of upon our ride out.

Today I guess I was an unelected route planner and decided to head over towards Craghead and down towards Fox & Parrot Wood. I wasn't sure if Lee had ever been that way before, and as Lee the proverbial mountain goat was going to be heading off  "Somewhere West", as he put it, on an overnighter in full-on "Stealth mode-avoiding detection", and bivvy out. A local loop, where we could end up in just the right place for Lee to continue. So this route I had planned in my head seemed appropriate.

Lee decided to bring along his camera equipment and shoot some footage. Like myself, he enjoys documenting his adventures and sharing his memories on YouTube. Lee is also quite the accomplished self-taught musician and composer, having produced some amazing stuff. Every now and again, we would stop for a natter and take a drink on board, as wow it was a scorcher—the hottest May on record, I think accordingh to the news. Lee would go on to direct both John and me for his video.

Me of course being the professional actor having now been in a film all about me, well I didn't need any encouragement, and hit all my cues...Lol. I hope you do know I'm jesting... I'm fucking useless and just spout loads of crap, however, sometimes it's really funny crap and I love it when John & Lee chuckle along.

Ickle bridge over stream

It was proper funny when after taking one clip, Lee played it back and I heard him chuckling on camera, he sounded just like Muttley from the Whacky Races cartoon.Riding through and down Fox & Parrot Wood, more photo opportunities and good craic. 

I was on ages trying to figure out where Macro is on my Goole Pixel 9 pro

I say you boys

Love the colour of me bike

Then climbing a short steep hill and then traversing a field where there was a kind of single track. We came out at a farm at Grange Villa, which had a public access route that would lead us into West Pelton, coming out near to where the Jingling Gate restaurant used to be. I see they are building some rather nice houses there now.

What I like about the houses is the view that whoever lives there would have, well as long as they don't build more out the back in the nearby field.
 

We were spoilt today when I think back, however, each of us took on board just how fortunate and grateful we were in some of the countryside we viewed, commenting on the beautiful meadow field, with its flowers and the woods we were approaching, which was yon side of Beamish.

Lee directing himself "Hello, Hello"

As we rode into the woods, it was pretty, with the bright sunshine breaking through the canopy of the trees and dappling the ground beneath us. It suddenly dawned on you, well at least in my mind, " Life doesn't get much better than this". Pain and discomfort out of the window, as I am caught up in the moment, the natural beauty surrounding me, doing one of my favourite things, riding my bike, with the sound of the leaves and twigs crunching and snapping, and of course sharing this with two people that I think the world of. 

Omg! That got a bit mushy there... Lol.

Me on my Santa Cruz Heckler Sl CC

More footage for Lee's video and also some brief local knowledge of what I knew about the area. When I say brief I mean miniscule as I actually don't know much at all, other than that there is an unusual, cone-shaped structure made from what looks like slate. I guess it's a sculpture-type thing. I didn't know how long it's been there or who built it, it's just there. Oh and whilst in the woods the all to familar sound of John "Aww man I don't beluieve it I have dog shit all over me tyre".

John at the sculpture type thing

Glenn at the sculpture

John with a newly discovered Poo stick

Riding through and down the wood we eventually came down to the footpath, which is near the Chester bypass, near Beamish, and I had the next bit of our route in my head.
A cross over the road, and heading down past Beamish Open Air Museum, which I believe is the biggest museum in Europe, I may be wrong and just made that up.

All the way down the bank past the Museums Farm and once down by Beamish Hall we turned Right and got on another trail that would lead us up into Beamish woods, and the rather large pond at the top. 
As we rode up Lee gathering more footage we stopped to admire some bluebells.

Pretty

Pretty Bluebells 

Whilst John was taking snaps of these Lee and I began discussing how as you get older your priorities can change. I am very much on the same level mindset-wise as Lee, in that we both just want to escape,

" The so-called rat race". We feel over the years forced into a corner of what is expected of us, when in reality it makes us miserable. I think that is why cycling, and getting out in nature, either alone or with trusted friends makes such a huge difference. It allows us time to clear our minds, reflect, reset and recharge. Always in the hope that one day we will realise a dream that we can escape and live the life we truly want.

For me my idea is simple, as few commitments as possible, get up each day with no real plans, go where I want, when I want and legally of course do what I want. Everyone by now knows my dream of a house in Scotland, however recently my overactive imagination has been thinking a campervan is the way to go. Get off grid, and have my bike along. I even suggested a hair-brained plan to my dad. Sell our house, buy some land, ideally in a wood, this would be home base if you like. Then get a static caravan, and a campervan, and from there just bugger off and lead a life of complete freedom, meeting folk from all over and each day having a new adventure. I think if my dad had been a bit younger he would have maybe gone along with the flow. I hope in the future I can gather the courage to follow through on my dreams. I hope opportunity comes knocking at my door as it has in the past. Who knows, that is what is exciting about life I guess.

Pond

Another brief stop at the pond, where we watched fish quickly come to the surface and make rippling effects on the glass-like water. The sun shining on the pond and reflected a myriad of flared colours. We could see ducks paddling way off near the reed beds, and then all of a sudden "Harry the Heron" flew in although he looked majestic in flight, his landing in a tree branch looked clumsy, as he bounced up and down, then became static and fixed in place. Not moving like some sort of a statue. Oh, and I'm not sure if his name is even Harry. I mean it could be Bob or Kevin, for all I know, it's just what I called him upon seeing him. No pics, unfortunately, as my phone couldn't focus that far away.

Next, a ride up the hill and onto another dusty trail, eventualluy coming out at a back road, which we followed as if heading towards Sunnyside, however, we turned off onto another trail way before then. This trail led us to Birkenhead, where the secret gardens and coffee shop is situated. A quick scan of the narrow country lane, which as I recall I tipped a small Morris Marina pickup over into a field when I first passed my car test. It had been raining heavily and I just lost the light back end, then went up and over a grass verge and through a barbed wire fence. Fortunately, the fence stopped my little pickup from going onto its roof. The most expensive part of that mishap was hiring a wagon with a Hi-Ab to lift my car back onto its wheels.  As I recall it only cost me £8 quid at the scrap yard for parts to repair the car.

Anyhoo as we continued on the opposite side of the lane on yet another dusty trail, as I was chatting to Lee, a huge fly went in my gob, and I proceeded to get it stuck right in the back of my throat. I had to stop and then started trying to hack it up. Ewww! I fucking hate it when that happens. So the remainder of my ride home from that point was of me making these awful sounds, which I guess if you are reading this and have ever swallowed a fly will understand what it's like and sounds like, "hack fuckety hack".

Reaching Tanfield Railway and the car park opposite, this is where John & I said our farewell to Lee. Lee not knowing exactly where he was going other than West and John and I heading back home, via the back road at Beamish, cutting down another piece of dusty and fly-strewn trail, where I kept my gob firmly closed. Then we rode back up by Beamish Museum and up Beamish Hills.

I said my goodbyes to John, with a passing comment, man I can remember a ride up this bank into No Place way back with another friend, Carl. It must have been in 2008. Shortly after that ride, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A good few years later I required chemotherapy, and just lately I have been for a checkup as I've had this sore area under my Right arm, with a small lump.

I'm not worried though, and certainly wasn't going to let past ill health, or what may lie in the future get me down, well not at that point, as I had had the most wonderful morning just being with my mates, doing the simplest of things. Nee worries or stress and that is what each and every one of us needs in our lives.

The ride home was easy. I headed up another trail at No Place that would lead me down the Famous Farmers Trail. I had this huge sense of excitement, you see I knew I would get to return to my new wee little mate Neville.

Wor Neville

As I got home my Dad and Nev were in the front garden, my Dad having propped an old gate sideways to keep Nev in. Our front door was open and as I opened the back door little Nev came bouling through the house and ran out to greet me. What a mint little pup he is. I could see the glee in his eyes, his little smiley face as if he was laughing, and at that moment in time I felt so very fortunate. My dad is on the mend and I had shared some time with friends old and now both new.

Okay been writing that real early, it's now 6:15 am time to get up and go and say hello to my ickle buddy, Neville

Big thankyou to John & Lee, with special thanks to John for sharing his pictures.