Searching for Inspiration? - Search for Rider Resilience

Whilst having been off work for long periods due to this on going health issue, which has finally been confirmed as Ulcerative Colitis I have been going slightly stir crazy.

My usual outlet as those who know me is my cycling, however I have not been able to participate in this as much as I would like, due to the nature of the Colitis and it's symptoms.

I had my very first ride out on my new bike on Saturday, and although I enjoyed it I discovered I had done something to my Achilles. As such I am now struggling to walk and have arranged a physiotherapy appointment for next Tuesday 24th December. I need to get this sorted asap, as I want to get back to enjoying my riding.

Upon researching possible culprits for this new Achilles problem. I have gained new knowledge and can put the fact I have strained my Achilles, causing possible tendonitis down to a few things.

Incorrect positioning of my shoe cleats - I don't think it was this as my cleats are in the same position for each of my bikes and I use the same pedal manufacturer, TIME and have never encountered an Achilles strain in the past.

Incorrect seat height - This could possibly be what caused the problem. My new bike has a Fox Transfer Dropper and I cannot place it any further down into my bikes frame. At maximum height it may be a tad too high. - Solution remeasure myself and bike and use a calculation to establish optimal saddle height.

Riding to far, over exertion and not building up fitness level. - Another possibility as it has been sometimes since I have ridden, plus the Santa Cruz Heckler is a mid power e-Bike and I attempted to only use the low and middle power modes.

Oh and whilst we are on a downer lol, before I get to the real title of this blog, both my Dad and I have picked up this rather horrid Flu like bug, which has completely floored us. I kid you not I even struggled to open the plastic wrapper on one of those kitchen towels.

Okay onto the inspiring stuff.

Firstly I urge anyone reading my blog to go and checkout this video:

Secondly please go and visit the Rider Resillience web site, join the community if you think it's your thing and if you feel you can, donate. You can do this by purchasing a Rider Resilience branded piece of merchandise.

I purchased a rather cool limited edition Ortlieb Rider Resilience  roll top bag. It arrived today and I love it. Not only that I was happy to support Rider Resilience which is a non profit organisation.

Ortlieb Rider Resilience Roll top  Velocity 23 Backpack

A closer look at the Ortlieb Rider Resilience details on backpack

Ortlieb Rider Resillience Backpack arrivd this Morning

If you visit Rider Resilience you can read about it's founder Nils Amelinckx and his story and why he decided to form a not for profit community for cyclists, his aims and goals.

What a month - A camera up the rear and a New Bike Day.

The last few months, well I should rephrase that to most of this year, since May in fact I have not been feeling well at all. My diagnosis was confirmed last Saturday when I had to have another camera up me hoop.

This time I attended my appointment for a sigmoidoscopy. It was no less uncomfortable than my two previous colonoscopies, but hey the procedure needed to be done to try and get to the bottom of what is going on with me.

I have currently been placed on another 2 months of predisanone, steroids and at least when I am on these they help with my ongoing symptoms. Though I must hasten to add I still do not feel my usual self. I have been able to return to work on a phased return and this is a massive help for my mental health. There is nothing worse than being at home with loads of time on your hands, but feeling to ill to do stuff. It just gives you too much time to think of all the negative stuff and end up feeling sorry for yourself.

Anyhoo onto something more exciting and positive. As I have wrote in a previous blog post I had been waiting for a new Orbea bike to arrive in at Wheelbase, in Darlington. As I recall I placed an order for a Cannondale Mottera, then changed my mind and opted for an Orbea Rise M10.

Adam kept me informed about the delay in the delivery of the Orbea, however as the months passed by, no sign of the bike. This was down to Orbea and nothing to do with Wheelbase, something to do with the components I had asked to have on the bike I believe.

Eventually I decided to cancel the Orbea and was indeed going to put a new bike on hold, due to my ongoing health concerns. I then thought "No, you know what a new bike will inspire me to get out there". Did I need a new ride? Well Yes of course I did I am addicted to shiny new bikes. I have already got my eye on another one for if I am invited to take part in next years Artic ONE charity bike ride, around the Isle of Wight. I can't be seen cheating on an e-Bike now can I?

 

New Bike Day

Getting back in touch with Adam at Wheelbase I mentioned I had seen a good deal on a Santa Cruz Heckler SL and could he possibly do a price match. Adam said to give him a day or so, and he contacted the distributors, getting back to me with the good news, a bike easy available and he could price match. Great I placed an order and following my bike coming into the shop one of the workshop team fitted a Ridewrap protection kit, as I had requested.

Wheelbase Darlington

Wheelbase Darlington

I'm over the moon as my bike also came with a Fox Transfer Kashima Dropper seat post, and I am sure it has a lot carbon Reserve wheel set. Adam finished off the bike with some little trick Bugtec trick bits. A Bugtec top cap and, stack spacers.

A great choice of bikes from various manufacturers 

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

I am just on my way home now, with Ern. As my dad is driving us back I am typing up the very thing you are reading. A nice cup of tea when we get back and then I will fit a few parts to my new bike which includes  Rockgaurdz front and rear mudguards, plus a K-Edge adjustable stem mount bracket to hold the new Beeline Velo 2 I purchased.

K-Edge adjustable stem mount

I am looking forward to reviewing the Beeline Velo 2 as in communication with the guys who make the small device, they have been ever so friendly and helpful. Each of the back and forth messages made me feel like I wasn't just another customer. I like the fact that they listened to my feedback and where actually interested in my continued journey and cycling. So once I  get the chance to test out the new bike and give it a bit of an informal review from a non professional riders point of view I will also get around to reviewing the Beeline Velo 2. I am lexcited to seeing if the small Beeline will help with my atrocious sense of direction.

 

Looking forward to reviewing this little GPS and offering Beeline some feedback.

Ooh decided to pop down to Team Cycles to treat my bike to a Peaty's Fidlock bottle and mount. Got a chance to see a DJI Amflow in the shop. First one I have seen, looked canny. The rear triangle looked thinner than I thought, but overall a nice looking bike.

A Peaty's Fidlock  bottle

Thanks for reading. Best wishes to everyone for the coming holiday season, and a Happy New Year 2025.