A memorable day...What a laugh

Wow! My second outing of the week with my good friend John. Following on from Tuesdays adventure we had decided to meet up for a ride somewhere on Saturday morning. John almost always leaves the route planning to me and with us both living in Stanley all our lives we kind of know pretty much every trail, so it can get a bit tedious riding the same old places. Saying that due to this whole covid situation anywhere other than in the house is an exciting prospect for me.

I amazed myself by having everything pretty much ready before John arrived or so I thought. As when I went to grab my Specialized ebike and connect the bike to my phone, the bloody bike just wouldn't turn on. Well by that I mean when I pressed the button on the top of the top tube, the battery power meter came on flicked up, then flicked down and then the bike switched off. I could feel a bit of "Tourette's coming on" and the words beginning with "F" "Hell it's every time I plan to go out". I called for back up "Ern, Ern what's up with this bike?". "Well I don't know" he replied. I had already bollocked poor Ern in the morning, actually waking him up and dragging him out of bed, not literally mind you, more figuratively. No you see Ern had been up to his usual tricks and was playing "hide the bike lock keys". Turns out he had hid one set and locked the other set in his car. Naughty Ern!.

Anyhoo Ern saved the day,  he simply came along and said "what does this button do?" to which I replied "Huh what button?"... Hey presto my dad had discovered a special button and my bike started working.

Just then John rocked up, he had ridden down the bank carrying my dads electric plain which he had borrowed to carry out some DIY.

After a very quick discussion we came to the agreement

Farmers trail it is then!

Farmers Trail

John at the start to the Farmers Trail

 

Clarty or what?

Hey it's me I am still around.


So what has been happening? well not a lot really, though that depends on how you look at things I guess. Let's just say I haven't written much on here as there hasn't been anything all that exciting going on.

A canny bit of clarts about today like

I have started a new health kick, after feeling decidedly unfit and a little podgy around the middle. Today is actually Day 47 on me continuously riding. By that, what I mean is I have been going on my De Rosa Road bike each day which is hooked up to my turbo trainer. I have not been following any set plan, or specific challenge, nope just been riding for me, doing between 20 to 70 minutes at a go and ranging my cadence, mileage and time upon the bike.

Today, Day 47 was actually a bit of a change as I decided to head out on my Specialised Turbo Levo. Yeah, go on say it "Oh that's cheating, coz it's an electric bike". And my retort "Go get your leg lopped off then come back and tell me how easy it is to ride every day". Plus I am getting on you know.

As soon as I went to set off on the bike today I noticed the huge difference in the new G3 Tendons I had got from Brian Bartlett. The new tendons are a tad longer, however heavier and you can really tell this at the top of the flexion upon the knee. After a few pedal strokes just down the front lane, I had to stop and release some of the air out of the Rockshox shocker. If I hadn't I would have been beasting myself the whole way around as the more pressure in the shock the more work you have to do in order to bend the knee.

Anyhoo getting back to this health kick. I watched a documentary the other day and it blew me away so much so that I have decided to try and eat healthier and in fact practice eating a plant-based diet. Oh the documentary for anyone interested was on Netflix and it is called The Game Changers, it is well worth a watch, even if you don't want to change your diet ... What do they say "Knowledge is power". I am a big believer in that you cannot criticise something until you have actually experienced it.

Ern has been a complete star too, as he has gone out and done some shopping especially for me, buying lots of vegan ingredients and some ready-made meals, plus he also got me some special treats for afters, including some cookies, trail mix crackers and my particular favourite some Belgian Chocolate.

As I started my indoor riding and exercise regime 47 days ago I have pretty much-eaten salad every day in some form or another, this at the time had chicken or bacon with pasta. I have only been on the veggie stuff properly for 2 days. Yesterday I experimented with vegan fish fingers and 5 beans which were actually really tasty. Oh, and I have swapped over to Soya milk, this kind of takes some getting used to as it tastes weird in a cup of tea, but not so bad in my porridge Lol.

Very clarty

No cameraman to help me

I have to say today's ride was such an enjoyable one I think I only saw 4 people all day whilst on the trail. As I rode around Chapman's Well deciding to complete the Bath Tub Loop 6 times which is roughly 1.9 miles each loop, the sun was starting to go down and as I rode back up the hill towards the farmer's house the sky and surrounding landscape just looked so beautiful. Mind you by the time I had decided to venture home I was absolutely filthy, the trails are just so clarty.

The glow of the sun as it went down was soooo pretty

Bike was a bit caked like

I am almost sure I was on Eco mode the whole way around

Duck seemed to enjoy his ride out too

I should also mention I have been completing a scripting journal. Now, this is not like an everyday journal or like some sort of a diary. No, it is more like writing a screenplay for your future. You create your journal with intentions. It’s like a magical manifesto that supports your wishes. It is intended to help your ideas and desires to come to fruition. You practice writing, reading and manifesting the life of your dreams. It helps to assert positivity into your life and take responsibility for your life and your actions, your emotionality, your wellbeing and your stories. I think it is helping me to reflect and maintain a much more positive attitude. The most powerful words in the world are "I AM".

New Tendons

Bit mucky

Getting old

Ok I AM off to try some asparagus along with some vegan cottage pie.

A ride around the Bath Tub Loop 10 times

The weather didn't appear too bad this morning, as I just had a nice relaxing mooch about indoors. I then became a little bored, having watched the stuff I had recorded over the course of the week. I love watching The Curse of Oak Island and also enjoy Forged in Fire, so have these programs set on the set-top box.

Coming up the Bath Tub Loop Trail

I had checked the weather forecast the previous day so had an idea it was due to rain, never the less I decided to head out on my Specialized Turbo Levo. There is a trail over on Chapman Wells, a local nature reserve and I quite enjoy riding over that way as there are not a lot of people or cars. 

Heading down past Stream Valley

I had gone out on my Fat Bike sometime earlier in the week and measured the Bath Tub Loop, using Strava, it came in at 1.8 miles, starting at the Stream Valley Equestrian/Farm of course, I had to also ride there and back so that also added a few miles.

As I set off I was pleased I had prepared for the weather, having put on a base layer, my Race Face Jersey and my Endura Hoody. To be fair it was not really cold as I rode to start with, without my gloves. It was, however, a tad damp and overcast.

A spot of rain over by the pond

Puddles starting to accumulate upon each lap

The ride to Chapman Wells is only about 2 or so miles. I had brought my GoPro, however, had an inkling that it would not be of much use today. I have mentioned this before I have the GoPro Hero 5 and it is terrible in poorly lighted situations. It is hard trying to get a photo of yourself using photo mode as the timer is only 30 seconds long. And when you try to use the time-lapse photo, well you do not have as much control over the image settings. Needless to say not too many quality images today.  Never mind the purpose of today's ride was more just to get out of the house and challenge my self to do 10 laps of the Bath Tub Loop.
 

Over by the small pond. Gets some lovely wildlife here

 

I kept my bike in eco mode throughout my time out, and this gives me a canny workout on the off-road trail.
 

  
It has been some time since I have been out and got a good soaking, however, I really enjoyed my time out. It's nice to have a bit of solitude and just relax and reflect on all that is going on. I also use this time to reflect and generally just be grateful for the small things in life, the things that don't cost anything and all of us take for granted.

Say a Little Prayer

A short Blog, with a few pictures. Just a there and back, completing roughly 30 miles.
 
Basically got ready and out the door and headed up past Consett on the C2C and going to Waskerley Way.

Saying a little prayer

Avoiding the Mole Hills

Early on in the week Sunday to be exact, as Sunday is kind of my Monday due to my work pattern. I decided I fancied using up a day of my annual leave, so took today, Wednesday off. I had been thinking as my new tendons had arrived for my BTK Crossover I may as well get out and go for a blast.

 

It's canny cad like

Yesterday both Ern and I were down at Pace Rehabilitation's Manchester clinic at Bredbury where I was going to test out a new check socket, specifically for use on my BTK Crossover. Toby one of my prosthetists had taken a cast from my everyday socket late last year. The socket this cast was taken from was actually a design, which Paul, again one of my prosthetists from Pace had designed and my local Disability Service Centre then copied, giving me the socket I use everday for work and what not.
 

 

Christmas Day Bimble...depleting my battery

Normally today is a work day and as such my alarm went off at 06:45am. I awoke and had the inital thought to just roll over and hide under my warm quilt. My little internal voice then kicked in, prodding me into action.

Over at the coast, pleased I had my Arctic One Buff

I had to put my prosthetic leg on wonky, as I knew if I popped it on aligned for walking, once I got out on the bike I would be in agony, as the socket tends to rub on my hip. I pre-empted the rub and placed a couple of Mepilex Borders on my hip. I knew exactly where to place them as my last ride out, last Saturday my socket had rubbed a few wear marks in my skin.
 
I sorted my riding gear and my old Faithful Canon Power Shot SX200, my thinking, well lately all my photo's have been shocking. At least with the small Canon I have a lot more control. To be fair todays ride was more about seeing what the battery was like on my new Specialized Turbo Levo, rather than heading out and taking shots.

Early in the morning near the River Wear and the New Bridge at Sunderland

I had to take it easy going down our stairs as due to rotating my socket, my foot was now very Charlie Chaplain'esque. Once in the kitchen I removed my Rheo XC and popped my BTK Crosover in it's place. A few more bits and bobs out of the cupboard, my helmet, new Seal Skin Gloves and of course helmet. I decided to take my small Camelbak "Fanny Pack". I had bought it earlier in the year and as yet had never used it. Have to say very impressed with it's stowage capabilities and it is very comfortable to wear. Not only that it is great for getting to things quickly as you do not have to take it off. Money well spent.

Cracking bit of kit

I gathered my bike, popped a single ear bud in my ear and selected play on my Mp3 player. There's quite a few varied tunes on there and quite often I sing along to them as I ride. Thank god I had had the hindsight to bring my Arctic ONE Buff as Jeez it was freezing out, quite literally. There was a covering of white frost on both of my cars as I went out into our yard. Yeah I definitely should have put my leg warmer on as I have to say I was cold all day.
 
My little Leyzne Zecto Drive Lights are another purchase I have not regretted and I switched these on to both guide the way and help me to be seen. I headed up the farmers trail, as this is probably the easiest way for me to get on to the C2C. I had it in my head to go down to Sunderland and the coast and then loop back around via South Shields, up to Whitemare Pool roundabout, then cut up by Springwell and Wreckington, before branching off for Birtley and back on to the C2C and home and this is what I did.

The ride down was a nice and steady one, my bike being in "eco mode". In fact I kept my bike on this setting for almost the whole loop.

Proper muddy over by the cliff edge, lovely the sun shining off the water

I was really enjoying the ride. I was still getting a work out, however the motor was assisting me where I needed it. Well that was until about 5 to 7 or so miles from home. My fuel/battery light had dropped to 2 bars. So at this point I stopped and went into my Mission Control app and found the Smart Control. I then judged how far I had to go and set it in the app. Man the last  5 to 6 miles on the way up from Birtley on the C2C were proper hard. I think I only had something like 10% assistance and this gradually dropped and dropped. My fitness is not on top form at the moment either. Months off the bikes and a nasty chest infection a month or so ago so I was proper struggling with my own natural engine. I had to dig deep, drop to a low gear and slowly move all 21.5 kgs of bike up the gradual incline. As I got to Beamish and Beamish Hills there was no battery left at all, so I had no other option but to get off and push for a little while. Once in No Place I was able to hit the off road trail which leads back on to the farmers trail and gradually came to the top of the hill and a nice rally down the trail.

All in all done 45.7 miles according to Strava with 1,935ft of climbing. I am seriously considering looking at getting a bigger 700 watt battery as apparently it will give me an extra 40% range.

Sitting on the fence...do I or don't I

My last post, looking back was the 5th of October 2018, this is due to the fact my immune system has been under attack yet again and I have been feeling quite unwell. More anti-biotics, this time for a terrible chest infection that has had me out of action for going on 6 weeks.

Anyhoo not hear to bore you with my tales of woe. Nope I am here to let you know about why I have been sitting on the fence, with regards getting a new bike.

Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Comp XL 2019