I have waited long enough...

 I have been a fan of Orbea Bikes for some time now I even considered buying a road bike  way back in 2019 and blogged about it. Of course in the 3 years since, bikes have come a long way. The bike I have been looking at is a gravel ebike with the emotion X35+ system

Orbea Gain M20 1X

 

Of course, not everyone is a fan of the ebike scene, and some even consider it "cheating". Well for me if I was to say to a norm, "yeah let's go out for a ride, but you only use one leg otherwise it's considered cheating", well you would probably think I was a bit bonkers. What I am trying to get at is that for people with  lower limb disabilities, an ebike can be set up in such a way that it gives you back some of that lost power and make a ride that little more pleasurable, rather than beasting yourself to keep up with your mates, not that I have too many mates. I'm quite happy just talking to myself as I tootle along and listen to the odd tune.

So getting back to the Orbea brand, I have been waiting and waiting, and then waiting some more for an Orbea Gain M20 1X which is the gravel bike variant to become available here in the UK. I had my sights set on a Silver-Grey & Black model, however there are just none available in a size Large. Then one afternoon whilst perusing the interwebs I spotted an Ice Green/ Black model. At first, I wasn't entirely sure I liked the colour combo, however the more I checked it out, the more I liked the colour. The bike was at Leisure Lakes and as far as I could see the only one available in a size Large anywhere in the UK.

I still wasn't entirely sure whether to purchase the bike, over the next few days, and kept checking it out online as I came in from work. Then following treating a few patients at work, I kind of had the thought "Ahhh what the hell it's only money, you only have one life, and you have to do what makes you happy". So I pulled the trigger when I got home and bought myself a new bike.

Why a gravel bike. Well for starters I have never owned one and as I am tending to do a lot of indoor turbo training on my road bike I thought a gravel bike would be ideal so that I could ride on the roads without the drag of my mountain bike tyres, then when I wanted to head off on some gravel/off-road trail I could do that too.

Hopefully the weather will stay fine for a while yet, and I can get out for a few rides and hopefully the fresh air and activity will help with my low mood which I have been struggling with for some time now.

How the Black Dog can sneak up on you

Right from the off I don't want to be coming off all negative and what not, however I do believe in keeping it real, so as the title to this blog says I am going to mention how I have just not been feeling great the last few months.

I am sure it was Winston Churchill I maybe wrong who first wrote about The Black Dog, as he referred to it, which was a symbol of his depression following him around.

Of course, I will also go onto to set aside my low mood and concentrate on some of the positives.

Apologies for the swearing in advance

So for starters, I have deactivated my Facebook account. Facebook has changed dramatically over the years, however now I just feel it is a place mostly full of negativity, hate and people are not genuine. It's as if we live in a make believe world, with make believe friends, all of whom have an opinion and are trying to out do one another. I just don't need that shit in my life. I want to be out of the rat race, not bang smack in the middle of it, way too much drama.

Yesterday, I completed my crunch sit-ups, jumped on my turbo trainer and completed day 629 of riding every day. I then felt I had energy to burn, so went for a walk of just under 8 miles. Whilst out walking, I had my mp3 player turned on and a Keane song came on as I had the player set to random. It was the song Starting Line, It's funny how when you are in a world of your own, you tend to listen to lyrics more. Anyways the song had one particular verse and it kind of struck a chord in how I am feeling, as it went "You wanna be lost and not be found". When I think on this line in the verse, it kind of says a lot about how I have been feeling for quite some time, probably more than a few months when I analyse it. It actually relates to me wanting to head off to Scotland and be pretty much isolated and again, goes towards my feelings of NOT being involved in the rat race and just going through the motions of life. I am struggling with the question of purpose I guess, or lack of it.

Maybe it is because I feel so alone, that in my head it is a way of saying "well screw you all" I don't honestly know. I think what is scary about depression and feeling down is that when you try to ask yourself the question "Why am I feeling like this", it's as if your mind shuts down, maybe to protect you or maybe because it's just plain stubborn, or in some cases it's just fucked up.

Anyhoo on a positive note some Northern Soul popped up on my mp3 so as I continued on my walk I got in the swing of things and even busted out some moves, well there was no one around at like 10pm on a deserted woodland trail.

Today was Day630 of riding every day, so I decided to complete my crunches for this month, so that is a total of 9300 for the month of July, and I then I got ready and went out on my bike.

9300 Crunches this month

I thought I would do a few loops of the walk I had taken the previous day. I won't bore you with details. Basically around and around again, a local 8 mile'ish loop, obviously where there weren't many people. Oh! I did see a frog.

Over at Chapman Wells

So there I was off in my own little world once again when one of the bolts snapped in my Bartlett Tendon. You know what, I am so numb I couldn't even be bothered to get annoyed or upset and swear. I just hopped off my bike and began removing the inner cam and tendon to pop in my bag. As I had stopped, a very friendly lady came along walking her dog, and we began chatting. Turned out she was a veterinary nurse, and she offered some good advice when I told her about wor Baxter and his allergies.

After saying goodbye I set off again, it had started to rain, so I popped my bike in Turbo mode and set off for home at a slightly quicker pace.

Positives, well I had a turbo mode on my bike...

Oh! And I am continuing to support Arctic ONE with raising money for their Grant system. Now that I am not on Facebook, I am not entirely sure who will even read my blog. Feel free to comment on my Blog. I just think it's important to live in the real world and no it's Not always sunshine & light. Maybe someone reading my wee post will take something positive away, knowing that it's ok to put it out there that you are not going through a particularly good time or feeling down. Or that there are other people out there struggling with mental health problems.

Anyhoo if you feel you could help support me with fundraising for Arctic ONE here is the link

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1


Thank you

Misbehaving Myrtle

Myrtle is still misbehaving! She starts first time and is quite happy to plod along for a good few hours, then will mysteriously start coughing and spluttering, lose all power and eventually cut out. If I then leave her for say 30 seconds, she will restart and drive along as if nothing was the matter for a few more miles, then do it all over again.

I thought my dear old dad "The Ern" may have sorted her out the other day, but apparently not. Ern bought a laser rpm gadget and he re-timed Myrtle and adjusted her carb, thinking this may be what was causing her issue.

Myrtle 65 St Mary's

Well, when John and I decided to head out for an adventure as we were both off work today. We drove towards Gateshead/Newcastle, planning to head to Whitley Bay. I am now expecting a ticket for driving into and through a bus lane. I mean, what the F#@K which muppet decided to change the whole road layout on the approach to the Swing and Tyne Bridge. You are right on top of the bloody thing before you know it, and there are so many sign posts, traffic lights and road markings. Now that I am home and thinking about it, I still don't have a clue how the hell you are supposed to get onto the Tyne Bridge. I think it is just a ploy to get as much revenue in as possible, as when I panicked and checked my rearview mirror, there were about another five cars behind me doing the same thing. I mean was I even in a bus lane, it definitely said so and there were these big camera warning signs, but that wasn't until I was actually in the lane and by that time already potentially nabbed.

Anyhoo...

Myrtle was super well-behaved right up to Whitley Bay. We parked up at St Mary's Lighthouse to go for a little stroll and whilst there, had a chat with a few people, including a very friendly couple who had a Morris Minor 1000.

Moggy 1000

Checking out the Old Morris Minor

St Marys

It was a lot hotter than it looked in the picture

 

As we came to leave, Myrtle just did not want to start and was making some weird noises from her engine. At first, I thought the new fangled Cooler Box I had just bought the day before from Halford's had maybe flattened her battery. My dad had wired the cigarette socket in with a separate switch and I had made sure I turned the Cooler off as I left the car just in case it did drain her battery. Anyhoo Myrtle eventually decided to start and again drove perfectly, with no issues.

Handy Cooler box fits in behind the back seat

John and I didn't really have a plan of where we were going, heading up towards Blyth. I then suggested we go to Amble and John whipped out his phone to see how far away it was. For some reason we totally missed Amble I think we drove through it. Our aim was to find a nice bit of beach, so we continued up to Alnmouth.

We had a few tunes in the car today as we drove with the windows down as it was so warm. Ooh and I actually got to try out Myrtle's windscreen wipers today as it started to spit on to rain, they work and actually park, man it's the little things that make you smile.

A few tunes from my wee case

At Alnmouth I was able to park for free, the benefits of having a leg off. It was chocka block, so we had to wait awhile to nab a prime spot. I wanted somewhere I could get a few pics of Myrtle.

John happy, we found a canny spot

  A lovely day, good company a few tunes and a bit bait

       

Beach Combing for an appropriate pebble

Me

Myrtle 65

Myrtle 65

 

It was red-hot sitting on the bankside right next to the beach. We took my vintage boom box out of Myrtle and sat and listened to some music whilst we ate our sandwiches and snacks, the Cooler box has been a good buy the pop was lovely and chilled, as were my yoghurts I had brought along.

I had a bit of a beach comb looking for a pebble for John and presented him with a small one just big enough to keep in his pocket. I told him all about the gratitude stone I keep in my pocket and how it helps me to be grateful and put things in to perspective.

a wee gratitude pebble

After a while we packed up and drove out of the car park, Myrtle didn't half catch the speed humps on the way out, weird as she was okay coming in.

  

Warkworth Castle on the way there

Driving past the castle on the way back

After a little bit more Googling, John being my navigator, we found the A1 South. Myrtle was cruising along nicely at between 40 and 50 mph. Then, as we went to climb up an incline, she decided to try and do her dying swan act. "Oh no, not here Myrtle, come on just a little bit further please". Fortunately, we had just passed a sign for Parking and a lay-by, so I pulled in. Myrtle proceeded to cut out. I waited about a minute and turned her key, where she proceeded to burst into life and was fine. We managed to get all the way along the A1 turning off for Consett and Myrtle was fine until we hit Rowlands Gill bank where I had to pull in again. Actually we had stopped in Rowlands Gill just before that as my memory serves as the bloody speed hump had attacked Myrtle's front number plate. John had to get out and pull the remaining hanger off as it was dragging along the road.

The main thing is Myrtle eventually got us home. Once home, I was telling Ern about our trip, and he immediately went and had a look at Myrtle. There was a little bit of oil lying in her engine bay, we think it has come from the oil switch, so I am going to order a new one. My dad has also pulled out her back seats and unbolted the inspection cover to look at Myrtle's electric fuel pump. I personally think this maybe the culprit, because I just feels as if Myrtle is loosing fuel when pulling hard, like on the motorway or when going up a hill. So we are investigating getting a new fuel pump, regulator and bracket to try and reposition the fuel pump and also put hardlines in, as Ern doesn't like the idea of a rubber line being so close to the engine where it gets hot.

We have also had Myrtles passenger side rear wheel and brake drum off to check her brake shoes. We were just about to do the drivers side when it started raining, maybe we will get it checked out tomorrow or Saturday. When I reverse in Myrtle, there is a sound coming from somewhere. I thought she may have been picking up a brake shoe, but the passenger side looks ok.

Ahh! the joys of owning an old quirky car, huh? My pulling on Myrtle's rear wing to no avail has now resulted in a crack in her paint work, so I guess that is an excuse to have her re-painted sometime in the future...

Short tough ride, is it because I am getting old?

 It has been well over 2 months since I last had a ride out with my friend John. He has had a few days off work, so suggested we have a little look out. Both of us aren't exactly as fit as we used to be. I mean I have ridden every day for 579  days now, and I am on Day 161 of this year, however that has mostly been on my turbo trainer, and although I get quite the sweat on it is totally different to being out in the real world and climbing hills and going over rougher terrain. Not only that I decided to take my Fat Bike and although it is so much fun it can be a bit harder work.

Out with John Day 161 x

Did I mention I am riding every day this year for Arctic One, a charity who have supported myself and many other people? Arctic ONE is not one of these big, well known charities, however the work they do is nothing short of amazing. If you can spare anything great or if you just would like to see what Arctic ONE is about and what they do, either search for them on Facebook or checkout www.arctic1.co.uk

Virgin Money Giving Link

This morning I had to re-attach my tendons to my Bartlett Tendon. I got the first bolt in, tightening it up with my mini torque wrench and went to put the second bolt in for the cam and the bloody bolt snapped. Fortunately I had a spare and the broken piece came out fairly easily by using a screwdriver.

 

Broken stud in my knee

By the time I had fannied on with my leg, John had arrived, so as usual he had to wait a little while till I got my gear sorted.

We were soon off just making a route up as we went and deciding as we were not exactly fit just to stay local and not go too far. It was more just about being out than how far.

Basically, we headed over to Chapman Wells Nature reserve and just had a tootle around whilst chatting.

Out on the BTK and my Fat Bike

John patiently waiting for me to position camera

My Silverback Synergy Fat developed a horrible clicking sound, which progressed to a screech at times, so I think my bottom bracket is on its way out. Ern is going to inspect it for me, never mind the bike got me home and nothing dropped off or seized up.

John and Glenn

John

Not a very exciting tale I am afraid the heat has zapped my energy over the last few days, not complaining mind you. I just feel so fortunate and grateful to be able to do all the things I am able to do.

Riding back up the trail

Fuel

   Next week I am away to see the Cancer Specialist Nurse for a review, so far the treatment has kept my Non Hodgkin's at bay and I haven't felt any lumps or bumps. I am still having a few minor issues with socket fit, however again feel fortunate as it has been probably 3 or maybe even 4 years since Pace Rehabilitation  designed my current socket and in that time I have only been back to the Disability Service Centre maybe two or three times.

All about the things you can do

Longest ride out to date in Myrtle

 I awoke proper early again this morning, firstly around about 5:30 am and then again at bang on 6:39 am, the exact time I have my alarm set, for getting up for work, however today I had taken Annual Leave so why Oh why can't my brain understand "TODAY IS A LIE IN DAY". I browsed my phone to see if there was anything interesting, hoping desperately that I may have won the lottery and I could then put my dream of buying a house in Scotland and buggering off to live a pretty isolated existence. "Pah" nowt again...

Love this Wee car

Out for a tootle with John

   

The Joker

 

I then decided to get up, get ready and go out and wash Myrtle and give her a quick polish, knowing I was going to meet up with my mate John around 9:30 am'ish. I had suggested to John we could have a ride through to South Shields and in passing pop in to the VW Workshop. I just wanted to have a chat with the lad who runs the garage about a few things on Myrtle and kind of get a second opinion as it were, mainly about her rear wings and why one appears to be wider than the other and what I could possibly do to sort the issue.

Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Up

Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Out

It was very nice talking to Darren who provided me with some bits of advice and of course it is always nice when someone who knows a little about these cars passes on a nice comment about your ride.

Following popping in to the garage, John and I took Myrtle down to South Shields and the sea front and rode along as far as Souter Lighthouse, getting a few pictures and thoroughly enjoying our catch-up. It has been a few months since I last saw John, life just gets in the way I guess at times.

 

Aired Up

Aired Out

Me and the Wee Bug

Got to love my custom mini surf board

We drove from Souter down to Seaburn and then headed for Sunderland, heading down to Penshaw Monument and turning in at Herrington Park where we parked up, and I grabbed us a couple of delicious double ice creams from the ice cream van.

Delicious

Bloody Lovely on a hot Day

Herrington Park with John

Travelling back home and up the Chester Road, Myrtle started coughing and spluttering a little bit, just felt like a lack of fuel. We pulled in at Grange Villa and just stood for a minute or so and surprisingly Myrtle then drove off and was fine again.

We then just did a local loop heading over to Craghead, and up Wagtail Lane, then headed down and through Burhope, going down the back road where the Wind Turbines are. Again a few snaps, then down to Sacriston coming out by the scrapyards and from there back home to Stanley.

Myrtle at Burnhope

Driving this wee car is a lot of fun I am having to watch out for the numerous potholes, as with having the low profile tyres on her, it feels horrible if I hit a hole. It just felt so good to have the windows down on such a warm day and potter around.

Me and Myrtle

Oh and my dad fitted my new Garmin 56W dash cam. It is really small and quite unobtrusive. At a later date I may get a rear camera too, as this is where I figure I will get most of my problems from irate drivers who don't understand Myrtle is an old car and has to take her time. So beep right back at ya!
  

Garmin 56W is tiny

Another very kind comment from a lady in Sunderland as we were waiting at the traffic lights, saying "I Love your car". It's awesome the positive reactions and when the wee car makes people smile...