Cycle everyday for a year in 2021

 

Hi everyone

So following on from last year's epic fail, what with this virus and all I have been thinking of something worthwhile to do for this year. Last year 2020 I cycled every day for the whole of the year. It was a routine I got into to try and help keep me sane and also to relieve the boredom whilst shielding for the best part of 7 months.




I now find myself shielding once more, so I am going to continue to ride. This is where you could help me out a little. There is a Foundation named Arctic ONE who I am guessing many of you will not have heard of. Arctic ONE is very close to my heart as they have supported me in the past and have continued to support many other people both able-bodied and disabled over the years in achieving their goals with a fantastic Forward motion grant system. So if you would like to help me to help them that would be awesome and greatly appreciated.

If you would like to know more about the Arctic ONE Foundation why not pop over to www.arctic1.co.uk or do a search on Facebook...

 

Link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlennJohnstone1

Wee Myrtle's test drive

 Just catching up a little.


On the Friday afternoon, just gone the 18th, Ern had popped out, so I decided to have a go at installing the new MOA 430 Ultimate Air Ride Gold top front shocks that I had purchased from Limebug. I will get back to these in a moment.

  

Wee Mrtle my 65 Bug

 

You see I have been having real problems airing my car up with the current air shocks and Air Lift 3p setup. After talking things through with Limebug, we came to the conclusion that as I have a set of Cage66 Fabrication extended trailing arms, that the ordinary air shocks that I bought in my deluxe kit from Limebug just were not powerful enough to get my car where I needed it.

 

MOA 430 Ultimate Air Ride Gold top front shocks

My dad and I have been working on and off with Myrtle for over a year, doing various jobs, however we have always come back to the suspension. We have measured, re-measured, tweaked and adjusted, paid a small fortune for all the best quality parts and yet Myrtle has always just driven terrible.

Recently my dad and I fitted a complete front brake disc kit using CB Performance equipment, this included new 2 1/2 inch dropped spindles and required us to remove the king pins and re-shim Myrtle up. Following all this work her tracking was way off, so much so that as we attempted to get Myrtle driveable to be able to take her up to the General Garage at Anfield Plain, in the short space of about a mile, a mile and a half Myrtle's front passenger tyre was pretty much destroyed on the short trip up, cracking and splitting the tyre near the sidewall. Just pleased I didn't have my new alloys and tyres on for the trip up.

Once up at the General Garage, Ash directed my dad onto the garage lift and Ash and one of his colleagues fitted the laser alignment gizmo's to all four wheels. We could see immediately that the front passenger side wheel was way out of wack, it was so bad the lasers couldn't even line up. Ash lifted the car up and got under to adjust the track rod ends and once he used his machine to set up Myrtle she was looking much more aligned.  Ash lowered the lift after tightening everything up and m dad reversed Myrtle off and then took her for a quick blast.

When Ern returned he said Myrtle now drove 100% better and that he had even had her up to 60mph along the bypass, without her wanting to wander all over the road. This was such a relief and for the £20 quid Ash charged well worth the money.

 

Ern in Myrtle at the General Garage

After having Tracking done

Myrtle's camber is still slightly out, but it's miniscule, being - 1.49 degrees, so rather than mess about with the shims again I think I am just going to leave her alone.

Now then getting back to the new MOA shocks. Like I mentioned earlier Ern had popped out. I was bored so thought I may as well have a go at fitting the shocks myself, it's a simple enough job really.

Our yard is block paved, however it has a slight ramped angle to it. This just happened to be where Myrtle's front beam was sitting over. I got the trolley jack out and placed a piece of wood on the pad of the jack, thinking this would aid in giving the jack some purchase on the protective skid plate that is attached to the narrowed beam. I had just jacked the car up and was measuring up to see if the axle stands would go under and realised the axle stands were going to be sitting right on the lip of the ramped block paving, so I went to jack the car up just a tad more so that I could put the stands under the underside of the floor pan.

That's when Myrtle slipped off and wood block and then the pad of the jack shot up under the underside of Myrtle, just where the spare wheel sits. "Awww! Fuck". It took me ages to try and prise the wood and the jack out as they had jammed right up between the skid plate and beam. I eventually got them out and noticed there was now a huge upward dent in the spare wheel area.

What a struggle I had removing the spare wheel as it was now jammed. Eventually I managed to get it out and sure enough when looking under the bonnet towards the front of the well, the underside had a huge bowed dent. I decided to leave this for now and get my dads advice on how to go about fixing the area. Thoughts running through my head of "Awwww! Man it's like one step forward ten back with this car".

Cracking on with removing the old front air shocks and then replacing them with the new MOA's, it didn't take too long at all. Everything when checked looked good and the new shocks although slightly larger appear to clear everything.

When my dad returned he had a look at the dent I had caused and with a little gentle persuasion he was able to knock the ding out using a piece of wood, a mash hammer and a dolly. The paint had cracked, so I rubbed the area down, masked it off and then primed and repainted the area using a rattle can. It's not perfect, but hey Myrtle is no show winner. I just want her to a standard that looks presentable and something that is reliable. She will be used for pure pleasure and to hopefully once complete bring both my dad and I miles of smiles.

A quick test of the new MOA front shocks and it immediately became clear that they are more up to the job. You can now see Myrtle start to raise her front end at around 30 to 50 psi, and she comes up a lot quicker too. I am still playing around with what pressures to use, you see where we live we have speed humps that are like small mountains. I always feel I have got Myrtle up to a good ride height and then as she is driven over the humps she makes the most awful scraping sound as she catches somewhere or another. The humps are really bad I have already had 3 exhausts on my little Smart car due to them.

Kyle with my cars

I love this wee car

 

On Saturday, the 19th Ern & Kyle took Myrtle for a little test drive, whilst I followed in Grandma my new Shape Beetle GSR. We only went over to Burnhope and the little picnic area overlooking the valley. Just wanted to see if Myrtle was driving ok and how the suspension felt. As, yet I still cannot drive Myrtle myself due to her not having the semi-auto clutch adaption fitted. With being an above knee amputee it certainly does make things more difficult and also comes at a premium.
 

Wee Myrtle with Grandma

Ern informed me that Myrtle is now driving great. I could pretty much see to be honest as she was straight on the road and not pulling or leaning to one side, plus my dad was going that much quicker.

I am now looking forward to getting the clutch mod done in October and once that is done we can start working on other areas of Myrtle, once I have saved up some more money of course, as boy this wee car has been somewhat of a money pit.

A blast from the past

I bought my Ibis Mojo SL on the 26/01/2008 from Stif Mountain Bikes, well that is the actual date that is on my receipt, however as I recall I had started speccing up my potential ride the previous year, before even having my leg off.

Ibis Mojo SL

 

Going back a bit in time to 2006 and a bit of a backstory to me getting my Ibis.

I recall having what was supposed to be a fairly routine surgical procedure. This was to remove my right knee cap, as the internal metal prosthesis I had had put in my leg in an attempt to salvage my leg was catching on my knee cap and preventing my leg from bending. It was also very painful. That year leading up to 2007 I was to discover what pain was really all about.

I can recall the morning after my surgery, waking up with a banging bad head, and I mean pounding, that said I was ravenous and tucking into my breakfast as I was sat up in bed, with a huge bandage around my poorly leg.

There was a knock on my cubicle door and my consultant came in. His first words were "I can't believe you are sitting up in bed". "Huh" I thought. It was then he informed me he had thought he had "lost me". I didn't quite twig, thinking maybe after the anaesthetic I had been placed in some corridor or another and been momentarily lost.

My consultant then went on to inform me that surgery had not gone exactly according to plan. Apparently the old knee cap had come out as expected rather easily, however when the team had gone to bend my leg, some blood vessels or another had got trapped behind the metal joint and I began bleeding out. From the sounds of it this wasn't just a case of putting a sticky plaster over the wound and this would explain the reason for my banging headache. I was now quite anaemic due to loosing so much blood.

I remained in hospital for a little while, being monitored and my dressing changed, then I was allowed home with some pain killers and a course of iron tablets.

Community nurses began coming that very week to check on my wound and within days of getting home I just knew something was not right, my leg was killing me. After a few days of getting dressings changed one of the community nurses came and on this particular day my staples had all burst open and I had this huge, angry hole in my leg that was exuding this horrible fluid.

The community nurses began to come more frequently as my leg got worse and worse, eventually coming 7 days per week and about 3 times per day. Every day was agony and I began to feel my already poor quality of life due to my limitations of my Kotz prosthesis spiral out of control.

I wasn't sleeping, or eating and I had basically kind of shut down with no interest in anything at all I just felt I was in limbo. When I did manage to fall asleep, my underlying wish was that I wouldn't wake up to face the next day.

Things got so bad nurses were coming out to administer midazolam, also known as "twilight sleep" just to give me some rest.

I went about a year in this horrible limbo, being informed by my consultant that he was not prepared to carry out any other surgery other than amputation. I was devastated. I had fought since 1995 to save my leg and now I felt I was all out of options.

It was then a wonderful community nurse came out to see me on one of her regular visits. I have always remembered what she said, maybe not the exact words, however more or less. She started by asking me "do you know why most people get down or depressed?" and  she went on to explain, "It is either because they live in the past, or look too far off into the future, you have to learn to live for today". She then said "your leg is always going to be your enemy and prevent you from living". She went on saying "look you are in so much pain and your leg doesn't work anyway, so why not think of amputation and imagine all the things you could do". I don't know exactly what happened in my mind but I can only describe it as a sort of cartoon "Light Bulb" moment.

That week I  rang my consultants secretary and asked to arrange an appointment. From that moment I never looked back and after waiting for a few weeks was given a date for my amputation, which as I can remember was something like 3 months away. Now this may sound strange, but I was so excited at the prospect of having my leg off and being able to get on with life. And this is where my bike comes in.

I knew I would have to get rid of my beloved Mini Cooper S. So I put her up for sale and sold her practically immediately. I then began checking out YouTube video's, knowing that I wanted to ride a bike again. At that point I didn't even know if it was possible. Once I figured out it was I started looking for the best bike on the market at the time and came across the Ibis.

I contacted Stif Mountain Bikes and began the process of speccing up my ride with the best component's money could buy.

Like  I say I was checking out YouTube and this is also when another part of my journey began, as I discovered Brian Bartlett and his unique Bartlett Tendon knee. Man I fired off loads of emails trying to get in touch with Brian not realising he was in hospital having his own problems.

I had my amputation on the 11th September 2007 and about 8 weeks later I was out learning to ride on my NHS provided Total Knee. I loved being out after all those years, however man did I hate that knee. Never mind I kept at it, becoming fitter and fitter. I used to challenge myself and ride every big bank in the locality. I wouldn't give in and can honestly say on each and every bank I never got off and pushed. So we are talking banks like Lanchester and the old bank near Lanchester vets,The Peth. I rode Edmondsley, Iveston and Wolsingham, but to name a few.

I had a whole new lease of life. I rode almost all of 2008, until sometime in October I started feeling unwell when out on a few rides. One of which I remember quite vividly when being out with my mate Carl. We were coming up through Beamish Hills and man I just felt ill. I had stomach cramps and just really felt out of sorts.

It wasn't until a few months later when coming back from Leeds with my dad I again felt really poorly, and he immediately took me to A&E at the Queen Elizabeth where I had had my leg amputated. I was there hours and a doctor did all sorts of tests. Eventually he came into the consulting room and informed me he had found an enlarged node in my neck. Well this was the start of a whole new journey, not one I would have chosen for myself, however I am a huge believer in out of every negative there is a positive if you look hard enough.

I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Apparently as it is low grade it's considered "the best cancer you can get", wow I feel real special LoL

And so jumping back to present day and my trusty Ibis Mojo SL. The old girl has been in semi-retirement. My dad and I were on tidying up our shed just the other day sorting Bug bits and pieces and I uncovered both my Sandman Fat Bike and my Ibis. The Sandman didn't need much to put her right, a good clean and polish and her tyres blowing up. My Ibis on the other hand just looked old and tired.

Going to change 3x9 Drivetrain

A few scuffs n scrapes

Chris Kind Hubs and currently 9 speed cassette

Original gear was top spec in the day

I fitted some Sram Guide RSC's and  dropper post sometime ago

Pace RC 41 Fighter forks, amazing forlks in there day

Hoping I can sell on some of the old kit as it's still useable

Changing the cockpit, hope the stuff I have ordered feels good on just guesstimated

She is an old bike now, very dated, running 26-inch rims and not your more modern 27.5's or 29's. She has an old 3x9 drive train and her frame is a bit battered and bruised. Well I have decided to revamp her, yeah she will still be an old school bike, but with a little bit of modern bling, a bit like a resto-mod.

Here is a parts list so far: 

1x10 Setup

Sram GX Rear Derailleur/ Medium 

  

 Sram GX trigger shifter 

 Sunrace CSM3S 10 Speed Expander Cassette Black

 

Race Face Turbine 35 Stem 70 mm 

 

Race Face Next Carbon Rise bars

 

Race Face Grippler grips

 

Race Face narrow wide crank set 34T

 

KMC X10 Black Edition 10 speed chain

SDG Bel Air Lux- Alloy Saddle - when they come back in stock.

Oh! And I may get a new Bottom Bracket as I don't like the colour of the one installed on her at present, doesn't exactly go with my black theme LoL

I suppose a lot of people wouldn't be investing money in such and old bike, but for me this bike holds particularly fond memories, it has been part of my journey to recovery, and I am soooo looking forward to taking her for a spin.

I will post some pictures when she is fitted with new gear

Day 261 of riding eachday...

After a rather poor night's sleep, in which I actually woke in the early hours and just could not settle, even though I felt tired I decided to get up and make a cup of tea then watch the UFC which I was on recording. Once I had watched all the fights, I returned back to bed at around 5am and awoke again at exactly 9:14am.

Getting out of bed I did a quick self-assessment of my butt, after yesterday and the day before's riding, it actually didn't feel to tender so I decided to get ready and go out for another ride. 

I think I am due a couple of new pairs of cycling under shorts, and this may help me out in the long run. New decent under shorts are just so expensive. I have been eyeing up some dhb Aeron Shorts, so if anyone has any experience of using these, and how good they are, drop me a line.

Both Chain Reaction and Wiggle have them for £56 a pair.

Today is actually Day 261 of consecutive days that I have ridden. The majority of this has been indoors on my Turbo Trainer, as I have mentioned before, what with having a broken Bartlett Tendon Knee and obviously being in the same situation as a lot of people and locked down due to this virus.

Going downstairs, Ern was up, and I kindly asked him would he mind going and getting my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike out for me. I can't even recall the last time I even rode my Fat Bike. Other than riding my De Rosa Idol on the Turbo indoors, I have been using my Specialised Turbo Levo for any outdoor adventures.

It is not laziness on my part, far from it as I have the assistance turned down on the eBike. No, I think it's just that I know I can go out really enjoy a ride, safe in the knowledge that if I get tired or sore I have a little help should I need it to get home. The Specialised has really helped me start enjoying riding once again and in fact, is a great tool to help build-up fitness so that I can then transfer this over to my regular bikes.

Ern sorted my Fat Bike out for me, inflating the tyres as they were down a little from standing so long. He also mentioned an annoying clicking sound coming from the bike when he had got it out. We both think it's coming from the bushes in the Rock Shox shocker, so Ern has said he will take a look and replace them for me.

Following Friday and Saturday's ride, I not only had a sore bottom, but also had managed to get a bit of chaff on the front of my hip from my socket. I think somewhere down the line either my socket or knee had become out of alignment. 

As any amputee will know when you pop your prosthetic on you generally put it on going off your foot position, and it just fits, however, if you have tinkered with your foot or knee then this can knock your socket out and I think this was the case. 

It had taken me a good few miles to rub myself sore, and as my prosthetist down at Pace Rehab Paul will tell you I have a weird set of hips anyhoo. I have had problems in the past with the lip of my socket catching right under the front of my hip bone.

Yesterday, whilst out with John we stopped, and I attempted to adjust my socket and knee to continue on our ride and to relieve the sore area. I stuffed my trusty Arctic ONE Buff down the front edge of my socket and this helped ease the sore area.

Having more time before I went out this morning, my dad helped me adjust my socket and I had a little test ride in the back lane before heading out for a short'ish ride. It now feels much better.

One of my favourite places to go locally is Chapman Wells nature reserve. I have mentioned it quite a lot upon my blog. It's just a really peaceful place, real pretty with not too many folk about. There are various loops which I know like the back of my hand and I can just make it up as I go, doing these various loops to then get some decent mileage in.
   

A couple of Wee bridges cross the stream in South Moor park

Love my Fat Bike

Over We Go

Heading from my house over towards South Moor and going through South Moor Park, I thought I'd take a few shots with my GoPro. Just going over the wee bridges that cross the stream before I had to dismount and push my bike up the steps to get to the drift. There I could get back on and ride up and on to Chapman Wells through the wooded trail.

I had just got a few shots taken, riding on my BTK with only one tendon as my other had snapped on Friday, then just as I was approaching the steps I felt the remaining tendon snap. It has gone in exactly the same place, at the bottom receiver, where the metal pin goes through the laminated tendon.

Awwww Man not another one

Decisions, decisions... I thought to myself, do I just turn around now after only riding about 2 miles and go home totally deflated, or do I just say "F@%K It" and carry on. I guess this is a testament to my current positive mindset as I just dismounted my bike and pushed my bike up the steps then carried on.

Riding without the use of the tendons is easier in one sense, in that you do not have the added resistance, however trying to attempt any trails is not so much fun, especially as I only had 50 psi in the shock, so standing out of the saddle wasn't going to happen this morning. I therefore just chose to ride fire trails and not attempt any rough or technical stuff.

A Positive Mindset helps

Out on my Silverback Synergy Fat Bike

Cracking bike this and I love the colour

At least by not coming straight home, I still got a workout. It's funny the things that go through your mind when you are trying to remain positive and overcome adversity. I can recall thinking "Man I am so lucky to be out in the fresh air, surrounded by all this beautiful scenery".

Many people just do not have these opportunities, whether it be through disability or illness. Thinking in these terms and how fortunate I am in my own little word, I always give thanks to the Universe.

Up for more? oh well go on then...

As lockdown has been easing and I have been venturing out just that little bit more, it was a nice surprise to get a message from my cuz David asking if I fancied a socially distanced ride out on Friday. 

I think David had seen my previous blog about heading out for a ride with John on Monday, when we went up to Smiddy Shore and back and as we haven't seen one another in Oh I would say 6 months it was a lovely opportunity to catch up.


Getting my gear sorted and heading up to my Uncle Dave's where I was to meet David didn't take long at all.  A tap on Uncle Dave's door and our David came to greet me, he then went to retrieve his bike from his car. Just then my Uncle Dave came to the door, it was smashing to see him and have a bit banter, as again I haven't seen my Uncle Dave in months due to this stupid virus.

A quick discussion on what route to take and we were off, leaving from Anfield Plain. I suggested going down on the C2C as far as Tanfield Lea Industrial estate, then cutting through the estate to the East Tanfield Railway path. From there we could ride along to the Causey Arch and eventually to Sunnyside. So this is what we did. No pics of David as he doesn't like his photo taken LoL

Once we reached Sunnyside I led the way across the road and showed David a back road and trail which leads partly across country and eventually comes out at the what I think is called "The Woodsman's Arms", anyhoo it's on the road towards Whickham.

The field behind me looked so pretty with the poppies scattered around

Very Scenic

Heading down the steep bank past Whickham Golf Club, we eventually came to a turning on our right which again led us on an off-road trail, this trail leads down what is known as Clockburn Lonnen, it's great riding down, but if you ever have to climb back up, not so much so.

Once at the bottom of this trail, you are pretty much onto the Derwent Walk and this was part of our planned route.

Riding along the Derwent Walk towards Rowlands Gill and eventually Consett, for anyone that knows the route, well they will tell you the climb is rather deceiving. It is an uphill battle all the way and can be quite exhausting.

Just as we approached the small road section of Rowlands Gill, turning down past Maguires Fish and chip shop and Gibside Country Park I felt a "twang" and when I looked down was gutted to see that my brand new Bartlett Tendon had snapped. Rather than whine on and moan about it I just asked David to take a few snaps, so that I could send them off to show Brian the designer of my knee the problem.

Awwww Man

No, it's not supposed to look like that

Back on the Cycle path, we continued on. The day was simply glorious, not too hot and stifling, but again not too cold. As we rode up towards Consett and Blackhill we noticed quite a few folk out and about, everyone was really pleasant and the majority said "hello". As we stopped briefly to take on some water at one of the viaducts a gentleman was approaching us with his dog. The man was carrying a waste bag and had one of those "grabbers" you know the sort for picking up stuff. I got chatting to him and he explained he didn't live far away "Just down at the station" I think he said. Anyhoo he explained he kept this particular piece of the path, as much as he could clean and tidy.  He was a very friendly chap and I think a worthwhile mention in my blog, not only because he was doing a selfless act, but also because he took an interest and had the time of day to be polite. That reminds me I must be more forward and ask for peoples names for when or if I give them a mention.

Soon we were back cycling away. I think it must be some time since David had been down this way, as he mentioned that he didn't recall what a long drag the path was. I mentioned that if he thought back to the old days when we were kids and where the railways ran from, so for example where we were from New Kyo near the Morrison Busty and at one time David lived just yon side of Consett Steel Works, well the tugs had to come all the way right up from the Tyne. Both Stanley and Consett are pretty high above sea level. I always remember my dad telling me that it took a tug and a shunter to control the fully laden coal and ore containers as the track was so steep.

Eventually at Blackhill, then there was a little climb up towards Tesco, once past here the ride back to Anfield Plain wasn't too bad.  As we got back to Uncle Dave's I said my goodbyes and rode back home, in total I had covered 32 miles. Not a bad little outing, all done on Eco mode on my Specialized Turbo Levo on about 15% assistance.

Moving on to Saturday...

After Fridays ride out and actually feeling decidedly ropey from getting up till going to bed, with a tummy that felt like an inflated football I wasn't exactly sure if I was up for a ride out on Saturday with John.

John had asked me on Monday did I fancy a ride to the coast and back and I warned him "It's not the going there, it's the coming back". Anyhoo late Saturday night John messaged me saying he was up for a ride to the coast. Now in hindsight, I am wondering had John had one too many cans late Friday evening, as man when he rocked up this morning he looked a bit rough, "errrr Sorry John, but you did"

John should have known he would struggle with a ride to the coast from the off, the telling sign was when we had got less than a mile heading up the farmer's trail and he commented "I can't remember this being so hard", at least I think that was what he was referring too I didn't look back just in case.

Farmers Trail

Anyhoo I am not going to write the whole route, other than to say we went down the C2C following Route 7 and eventually got to Sunderland. 

Kings Head on the C2C, his crown used to twirl in the wind and make a cool noise

John thinking about his bottom I bet

Me looking a bit pasty

Me

Johns pic of me at the mariner

By the time we had got to Souter lighthouse, I had lost count of how many times John had informed me about his annihilated bottom. 

So where exactly does it hurt?

John says my hair just looks windswept

We stopped briefly along the coastal path for a bite to eat and to take on some water and as usual had a bit of a laugh and shared some good craic.

Lovely ride along the coastal path

We then made a plan to ride down into South Shields and stop off at the park where the little steam train runs and take another small break.

Whilst we were in the park I asked John which way he fancied going home as we had a few options. He replied he wasn't too bothered as at that point his ass was broke anyhoo, plus no matter which way we went there was a climb.

I suggested we could try and find the pedestrian tunnel, as I knew it was now re-opened. This would take us under the Tyne so that we were on the Newcastle side and from there we could ride along the Quayside and eventually head up through Watergate Park and Sunnyside to get home. John agreed to this so after having something to eat and drink we set off again in search of the Pedestrian Tunnel.

As we headed towards the Port of Tyne it didn't take us long to discover signposts directing us to the Pedestrian Tunnel, which were heading towards Jarrow.

A little bit of history about the Pedestrian Tunnel which goes between Howdon and Jarrow connecting the North of Tyneside to the South. Information taken from http://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/ where you can discover more interesting things.

"Construction of the Tunnels began in 1947. Two shafts were sunk, one on each bank, before the connecting Tunnels, were excavated by miners operating in compressed air.

The Tunnels were opened on 24th July 1951 by Transport Minister Alfred Barnes.

They were part of the North East’s contribution to the Festival of Britain, and built at a cost of £833,000. the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels for years provided a safe and reliable way for thousands of workers to cross the river to work in the shipyards and factories that then lined the Tyne.
At their peak, around 20,000 people used the Tunnels every day. By the time the Tunnels closed for refurbishment in 2013, that had dropped to 20,000 per month.

The number of users declined as Tyneside’s industrial profile changed and the first vehicle Tyne Tunnel opened nearby in 1967, car ownership grew and lifestyles changed.

By the early 2000s, the Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels were in a poor state of repair. The harsh underground conditions and general wear and tear led to frequent breakdowns of the escalators and vertical lifts. The costs of repairs spiralled.

In an effort to guarantee the future of the Tunnels, there was a successful application to have them listed as a structure of special historical interest. They were granted Grade II listed status in May 2000.

The then Tunnels’ owner, the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority decided that to revive the Tunnels as a safe, reliable means of crossing the river, a complete refurbishment was necessary. The Tunnels closed in May 2013 and re-opened on 7th August 2019".

Soon we were at the building where you can gain access to the tunnel. There was no one else there so no one to ask about how to go about getting in. As we stepped further into this building we saw that there was an area closed off. I thought this was some sort of....Errr I don't know what I thought it was, maybe some sort of transportation device to get you to the bottom of the tunnel, but not a lift. Anyhoo upon getting to the top of the escalator...dear me, it was a long way down. I mean like a LONG WAY DOWN and proper steep. Nothing else for it John and I began walking our bikes down this geet long set of stairs.

The tunnel

That is one long set of stairs

Oooh Errr, wish there was a lift... OH there is

Let's Go

See there is a lift

 We eventually made it to the bottom and just as we did these other folk came along on their bikes from the other side of the tunnel. I think they were playing around down there and going around and around in a loop. John and I pedalled down the tunnel on the bike side and as we got to the other side, guess what... A geet big set of escalators going back up. Words that came to mind were For F@%Ks Sake. Just then these lads came back around and we asked was this the only way out, to which one of them replied: "you do know there are lifts at either end". Well I just looked at John and he looked at me, then this guy laughed and said: "you didn't carry your bikes down the escalators did you?" "Of course not mate do I look stupid" LOL

Well, that was quite the adventure. The signage said 7 miles to Newcastle and the Quayside from this side of the tunnel. Man, it was one hell of a 7-mile ride, felt never-ending.

Yay eventually in the Toon and heading along the Quayside on the Gateshead side. Another slightly longer break at the Dunston Staithes as at this point I thought John may start crying about his broken bottom. I cheered him up somewhat by reminiscing about the story of his "Bastard Fish", apparently this is a recognised fish, well in John's world. It is a fish that goes around eating other prized fish and is so greedy it ends up choking on its prey. Personally, I would just call it a greedy fish, but John is adamant it's a Bastard.

It was great to see John proper belly laughing, memories of days out with your pals are some of the best, even when things don't go according to plan. Oooh, I almost forgot John was also quite chuffed in that I rode through some dog shit, which flicked up off my tyre and went up my back apparently. John saying I'm pleased it's your turn, as normally he has to retrieve a poos stick to solve his crap problems. Well, you know what they say "shit for luck", maybe I will win the lottery tonight.

I am so glad I was on my Ebike, massive respect to John I don't think I could have made it home without a little electrical assist. The final push coming home from the bottom of Lobley Hill, up into Watergate Park and Sunnyside is pure torture. Poor John was wrecked, his new bike having only 11 gears and not the usual "granny ring". So coming up the steep banks there was some walking involved.

Once back to the Tanfield Railway track it wasn't too bad, we just came along over the Causey SArch and the back trail towards Tanfield Industrial estate, then from there up to the C2C and taking the route up Barn Hill and Station Bank at the back of the Indoor Market. I used Turbo mode and flew up the bank. Have to admit my old ass was starting to ache a few miles back too.

Into Stanley, down to John's and said "Bye Bye" then straight home. Total ride 50.16 miles. A quick Whatsapp to a mate in Australia, put my gear away and then into my bedroom to carry out my exercises as its a core and arms day today, yeah I am a glutton for punishment. Got to tone this tummy and get rid of these love handles I mean I don't need them I am not in love.

The end off to nurse my butt.