I am back, well sort of LoL

Hey it's only me, ages since my last blog. You know when you kind of have little ideas and plans about what you are going to do, where life is going to take you and thoughts of 'well I will start the year out with this'. Well I have come to the conclusion I am not going to do that any more. When ever I think more than a week or so ahead you can pretty much guarantee the god or gods of 'lets move the goal posts' seem to come to town and rain on my parade.

Now I am not here to whine on about 'poor me' I am just venting a little about how fed up I am with stuff getting in the way. For me it always appears to be ill health. Just recently I have been feeling a tad below par, as I was struck down with a nasty strep infection. During the past 5 weeks I have had the lot, sore throats, an ear infection and to add insult to injury a nasty chest infection.

Out in South Moor park

Silverback Synergy Fat

Anyhoo moving on I thought I  would write a little blog about my first ride out, yes that's my first ride out of 2017. As I recall I have not been out for a ride for some 10 or so months. God I am so unfit, as today's little 8 mile excursion proved. Thinking positively the main thing was I got out, well eventually. I had a few technical issues with my Race Face dropper seat post this morning. Ern and I had a tinker with it and it seemed to sort itself, however once out on the trail it decided to try and annoy me by refusing to stay down, then when I sat on it refusing to stay up. At one point I had to use my £1 pliers that I picked up from some cheap shop. To be fair they are probably the best £1 I have spent as they have proved invaluable on quite a few outings.

My £1 pliers

Had to use my pliers to grab cable as it popped out

A ride out for me would not be a proper ride out unless I fell off and hey I had to christen my new Silverback Synergy Fattie lol. It happened on a upward section of trail that was real thick with mud. I tried my best to power through, however came to a stop and inevitably fell off on my BTK Crossover side, with my normal phrase of 'Oh Crap'. Not much you can do as an amputee if you fall to your prosthetic side. Of course years of practicing falling off I am now pretty adept and not injuring myself. The worst thing you can do is stick an arm out. I tend to just hold on to the bars and try and turn so I fall on my back pack.

Oops!

Quite a few firsts today when I think about it. As well as my first ride of 2017, it was also my first go on my new Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. I received the bike last year just before Christmas and became an ambassador for Silverback. My bike had been languishing in the dinning room. I had intended going out on her as soon as I got her heli-taped and the little bits and bobs I had purchased, bars, grips,chain ring etc fitted. However due to after mentioned bugs, viruses and infections I had picked up, everything was put on hold. Speaking of getting my bike Heli-Taped would just like to say a huge thank you to the guys at Infinity Cycles as they did a fantastic job wrapping my bike, with an Invisframe kit, very pleased. First impressions of the Silverback Synergy Fat Bike. When the bike arrived  (a size Large)  and she was stood in my dinning room I have to admit I thought 'wow this thing is huge'. I mean I am just over 6 feet, with roughly a 32 inch inside leg. Just shows though looks can be deceiving. As soon as I was outside and threw my leg over the bike and got going I felt right at home. The bike rolls really well on the Maxxis Mammoths (I discovered on my way home from my outing that I did not have to pedal at all coming from the Morrison road ends. No the bike is not electric, it was because the wind I had fought to get up to that point was so strong it practically pushed me all the way along the road lol) The Synergy feels remarkably light and stable. Point it in a direction and it doesn't feel like it is riding on big fat tyres. It feels rather nimble and is very comfortable to ride. I think if I was going to upgrade anything it would be the Shimano Deore brakes. I feel something with a bit more bite and power would suit the Synergy. Think I will look at this at a later date as wow decent brakes are pretty expensive.

I have popped an Absolute Black Oval chain ring on. Not sure how much difference this has made. But I can tell you although I was tired due to lack of stamina I did not get off on any hills or banks. The chain ring feels smooth in use. Time will tell regarding the ring, it seems to work well on the Synergy. The bike has a nice ratio, between the 11 gears.

Absolute Black Oval Ring

For a first outing I am very impressed with my new ride. And the colour looks so much better in the flesh, it is a very in your face shade of Orange. One thing I did notice upon getting home and washing my bike. Water tends to sit in the frame where the rear shock is situated. It's easy to sort this I just placed my bike upside down to let the water drain. I will be writing a lot more about my adventures on my new steed. It has been great to get out.

BTK Crossover

BTK Crossover

Oh and another first was getting out on the bike wearing my new BTK Crossover. I have received some amazing backing and support to enable me to go out and play on my various bikes and use the new knee as it was designed as a true 'Hybrid' so walking and getting about.The knee is an amazing piece of tech. So a big thank you to Pace Rehab, especially my prosthetist Paul Richardson. The Arctic One Foundation  and to Fabtech Systems and Leftsideinc for shipping the unit over to Pace for me to play and use... A little about first impressions from today's short adventure on the BTK Crossover. This morning I placed roughly 25 psi in the Rock Shox shocker. The new BTK differs from it's predecessor the Original BTK. The Crossover rely's more on the shocker instead of relying on the tendons. Upon the few little descents over slightly rougher stuff I felt adding a few more psi's would have benefited. This was because I felt it was difficult to maintain just sitting out the saddle with my knee flexed. That said I am used to the old BTK and with that one I never used any stops to maintain flexion. The new Crossover comes with wedges that can be put in place to maintain various degrees of flexion, so I think my next time out I will try a 20 degree wedge in place. As said this will help maintain flexion so I can just pop over any bumps, jumps or drops. After 10 months of not using a BTK I found getting out the saddle real easy and was very pleased that I could actually start my bike off on an incline, gain enough momentum and actually get out the saddle and ride foot over foot up the hill. As an amp this is one of the most difficult things to do. To get that push off and start riding from a stationary position whilst on a bank, hill or incline. The incline was not huge and can be seen at the start of my short video.

Out on my Silverback Synergy, playing in puddles

 

Really like the new bike

Dirty out there

 
Normally when I am fairly fit I can plod along at my own pace and get form A to B. This morning what with the gusty wind and time away from my bikes, swimming etc I was knackered. The hardest part was going through the open trail part of Chapman's Well's nature reserve. I stopped twice once about halfway up the trail for a drink and a little think 'why do I do this again'. Then again when I came to the small wooden bench on the way out of the reserve. At this point I lay my bike down and proceeded to have 15 minutes lay down on the bench trying to reassure myself that 'yes I am somewhat of an old fart now, but if I just keep at it my stamina will increase'. To be fair instead of being hard on myself I should give myself a well done as I am still not feeling 100%. What with my immunity being so low and catching stuff. I figure getting back out in the fresh air will do me the world of good. Not only physically, but mentally too.

As always I saw a few friendly people on my little adventure, it's nice to just say 'hello' and on some occasions share a spot of banter. I now need a rest, however will be out again soon

Going forward into 2017 with Silverback Bikes as one of their ambassadors

Wow after last year what with chemotherapy and then this year and problems with limb fit and not exactly being on form, the end of the year seems to be coming together. Not only have I been very fortunate enough to become the first guy in Europe to take delivery of the Newest incarnation of the Bartlett Tendon Knee, know as the Crossover in co-operation with Pace Rehab, The Arctic ONE Foundation and the distributors Fabtech Systems Leftsideinc I also approached a company I had been following with some interest for a while, named Silverbacklab. I was immensely pleased to be offered a place on their ambassador programme. This involves riding one of their sought after Silverback Synergy Fat Bikes and doing my blogging and promotion on social media, offering feedback and sharing my adventures with you all, something I enjoy doing anyway. 

I do have to say a huge thank you to everyone over at Silverbacklab, especially Elena who has kept me up to date with the progress of the new arrivals. Not only that Elena has been very kind and thoughtful in asking how I am keeping and wishing me every success in my new job after I had told her. Warn and friendly is just what you want, it make you feel more than just a number or another customer in a long line. It makes you feel like an individual and like you will be taken care of. I like that very much in this day of mass produced items and it is a very important factor for me in going forward with a company.

Silverback Synergy Fat

I just cannot express how grateful I am to all these wonderful people and companies. It makes a huge difference in anyone's, life when you have taken one or two knocks yet know there are people out there willing to invest in helping you just get out there and achieve your goals. And for anyone out there reading this when I say goals it doesn't have to be uber extreme stuff. We sometimes forget that whilst climbing a mountain for one person epitomises a huge achievement whilst for someone else a simple stroll out with the family can be their achievement.

I think inspiration comes in all shapes and forms, it is not what you are not prepared or cannot do, but what you are prepared to do and what you can do.

Getting back to Silverback and the Synergy Fat. Well it is a Carbon framed Fat Bike with a clever rear Triangle as the bike can be converted into 3 separate rides a Fat, wearing 80mm Hayes/Sun Ringle Mulefut SL's and shod in Maxxis Mammoth 26"x 4.0's. Then there is the Plus which runs the now popular 27.5+ rims and of course the Slim which uses a 29'er wheel-set. The Frame has 120mm of Front travel and 110mm at the rear and uses Rock Shox's Monarch RT3 for the rear, the same shock as fitted to my BTK Crossover and a Bluto up front. 

Silverback Synergy Fat

I have ordered a few minor bits and bobs to add to my new ride, things like protective frame tape ( I am not exactly looking forward to fitting this, as the last bike took me over 4 hours lol)  I then got my eye on some pretty sweet Race Face Handle Bars. I swear I have Ocd, the reason I bought them...yeah of course it was because they were Uber light...nothing to do with the fact they were finished off in Orange and match the colour of my new bike...Ahem! Of course as they are the new fad and come in a size 35mm I then had to purchase a new stem. Again a lovely Race Face jobbie, the Turbine 35.

Some Lovely Race Face Next Carbon 35 Limited Fox Orange Bars

Race Face Turbine 35 Stem

Race Face Turbine Dropper Post

As an amputee I have discovered one of the best bits of kit you can have on a bike is a dropper seat post...Oooh guess what Race Face does one. Spot on that has now been added to my Christmas list and guess what you can even get a colour co-ordinated dropper lever I am so excited! Next some Surly Orange Rim Tape when it becomes available Oh and some Race Face Crank boots, yes of course in Orange. 

For years now and as I have to clip in I have been using Time ATAC's. I tried various other pedals, however discovered the Time's gave me the most float as I was getting a painful good knee. So these will be popped on

Time ATAC MX8

 Now just have to wait for delivery and build the bike up, it's just like Christmas. I will be able to head out on my new leg and new bike and with the help of my GoPro and camera hopefully get some lovely shots to show you all.

A little stroll over by the Causey Arch a BTK Crossover outing

Over the past week or so I have been wearing my new limb,which incorporates the BTK Crossover. I have been very kindly supported by Pace Rehab in association with Fabtech Sytems, Leftsideinc and my good friends over at The Arctic ONE Foundation on this trick bit of kit. 

Claire n Glenn

Now when I say "trick" many people who are not in the know, will just think this is an ordinary knee. When in fact it is a serious piece of design and engineering.

BTK Crossover How Awesome is this Leg ?

Take 2 and my second opportunity to have a go on the BTK Crossover. Not only that but Paul my prosthetist along with Mike one of Pace's technicians had worked all week to get my final definitive socket ready for me so I was proper excited.

It's amazing to think after only 2, yes that is 2 visits here I was ready to pick up a complete limb, that actually fits.

BTK Crossover first time on bike

Pace Rehabiliation has got their hands on a BTK Crossover

As the title to my blog says Pace Rehabilitation have got their hands on a BTK Crossover.

So when I got the call from Paul my prosthetist a few weeks back saying 'Glenn things are looking positive' Imagine how excited I was for today to arrive.

Paul and Mike what a team

A few days away with Claire

It has been sometime since I last blogged, however rest assured I am still around. Quite a lot of stuff being going on, however quite a bit of it negative and that is most certainly not what I am about so took a bit of a time out. I mean we all have enough negativity without reading about someone else's right.

Anyhoo this blog is going to be relatively short, mainly because I am just back from a 5 hour drive from visiting Scotland and Oban with Claire my partner in crime. Claire had been telling me that she would love to visit Scotland and go to see Fingal's Cave. So I took a week off work and found us accommodation for 3 nights at The Lagnakeil Highland Lodges. I then booked us a 3 Island Tour, which took in Mull, Staffa and Iona. Fingal's Cave been situated on Staffa.
 

Claire and I at Fingal's Cave

 

"Do not judge me by my success. Judge me by how many times I fall down and get back up again"

I have enjoyed my few days off it has given me a chance to get out and do a spot of riding and even get out on my blade and try and get the hang of this thing they call running. Where I am concerned I am not so sure it would be classed as running as Omg! I am all over the place.

Anyhoo this morning I got up went straight downstairs after getting dressed of course, skipped breakfast and popped my Challenged Athletes / Arctic ONE running limb on. A quick bit tinker with the Pace Rehabilitation supplied socket to make sure I had it on correct and I had a little bit bounce around the house. I then grabbed my car keys and headed off over the Millennium Green in Tango. I figured the ground shouldn't be too boggy over the field and I could see how the new check socket my prosthetist Paul Richardson from Pace had designed was preforming and feeling.