A couple of little purchases

I cannot really call this a review as the couple of purchases I have made I have not really had a chance to use. I was just so excited on receiving the gear that I thought I would share my initial, well excitement at gadgety stuff...I know "Geek" right!

First off is my recent acquisition to hopefully protect me from the daily presence of Muppets as I go to and from work. Well not so much protect I mean for that I would need a Chieftain Tank, more cover my back...Oh and I guess my front too.

I purchased a HP f870g Dash Cam, which is full 1080 HD and also comes with a neat little rear camera which records in 720. I purchased the camera from Amazon.co.uk here is the link HP Dash Cam 1080HD f870g

HP dash cam

I have only had the camera in two days, Ern has not finished hard wiring the complete set up, so no rear cam as yet. Initial thoughts. I like the size of the camera, it hides behind my rear view mirror and the GPS sensor is on top of the camera built in so no need for a separate gps, along with additional cable. The camera is very easy to set up and use, gives good warnings and the software does everything I need. The picture quality looks great. Only had a look at one recording of me going to work and that was in really bright sunlight. Some of these dash cams can be rather expensive, so for the money I think this is just the job and just gives me that piece of mind in case I get bumped again.

My second purchase are a pair of Lezyne Zecto Max 250 lumen front and rear lights. I am really excited to give these bad boys a go. The lights themselves are a little bigger than I though and also a little heavier than I expected. I bought them with the plan of affixing them to my back pack, to replace a couple of ordinary low lumen output blinkers ( which kept going flat). I would say my only concern with these lights is the way they attach. Not so much when attaching to a handlebar as the rubber straps provided would stretch over the bars and hold pretty securely in place. My biggest worry I guess is that because these lights are quite expensive, £47.99 Rear and £32.99 Front that I may lose one or both off my bag. I may have to think of a way to ease my mind and sort some way of adding a secure method of attachment.

Can't wait to try these out

Not convinced by attachment, when fitting to a bag

I have turned both light on and man are they bright. They also flash and blink in some pretty funky ways. I like the little power leds on the side to let you know how much battery you have remaining.

Short stroll out with Ern and wor Baxter on the BTK Crossover

I am due to head down to Pace Rehab's new HQ in Manchester next week, so that Paul my prosthetist can have a look at my current BTK Crossover socket. So this morning I thought it maybe a good idea to convert the Crossover into ambulation mode, so that I could give Paul a little bit of feedback on how the socket and knee are working together. Converting the knee from sports to walking mode is as simple as removing the tendons the tendon receivers and cams and replacing the protective shells on either side of the knee. Oh and then not to forget to adjust the Rock Shox shocker, both the pressure and rebound so as to be able to walk on the knee. It only takes a few minutes once you get the hang of it.

Out with Ern, Baxter and the BTK Crossover

Have to admit it has been sometime since I walked on the Hybrid BTK Crossover as I have been using it mostly on my bikes. It is a lot different to walk on than my Ossur 2100 Total Knee. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it, however it does feel like a bit more work in that the BTK has more resistance. I think with regular use it would be like anything else you would just become accustomed to how the design works and adapt accordingly.

Baxter such a good lad

Having a little gargle in the stream

Ern (aka me dad) decided we would go for a tootle up Quakies (Quaking Houses) and up past the fell, taking in a small part of Chapman Wells nature reserve, before looping back through the woods to Quakies again. Wor Baxter is in his element when he is off the leash. Ern lets him off regularly, me well I always keep him on as I cannot exactly run after him if he buggers off. Not that he really does. Baxter never seems to go too far, well unless he spots a deer or a rabbit. I guess I am more cautious as I always worry some other dog sets about wor Baxter and he gets the blame as he is classed by many as "one of those dangerous breeds" I say "Poppy Cock" this is what is wrote on Wikipedia about the Bull Terriers Temperament

Can you spot the ickle wee Ern

Such a Poser

 






















 "Bull Terriers can be both independent and stubborn and for this reason are not considered suitable for an inexperienced dog owner. A Bull Terrier has an even temperament and is amenable to discipline. Although obstinate, they are particularly good with people. Early socialisation will ensure that the dog will get along with other dogs and animals. Their personality is described as courageous, full of spirit, with a fun-loving attitude, a children-loving dog and a perfect family member. A 2008 study in Germany showed that Bull Terriers have no significant temperament difference from Golden retrievers in overall temperament researches".

My 2 best mates

We were originally going to call Baxter Vandal

Leave, Leave

Determined to carry a stick

Managed to get a few pics using my GoPro whilst out with Ern and Baxter and although the walk was just a short one with a few stops here and there, really enjoyed being out with my dad and Baxter.

Usually likes saying hello to horses, but today had a stick

Such a handsome boy

Happy Lad

 

A canny ride through the park

I am back, well never really been away, just been neglecting my blog. Not really much interesting going on...All "Rock n Roll" ... NOT!

Had a few short yet pleasurable rides out over the past few weeks with my mate John. Nothing to strenuous, more just getting out and sharing a bit of craic, that's "craic" as in banter, not as in we light up a pipe and get shit faced. Oh and plenty of laughs. Playing in puddles at almost 50, well you are never too old really are you?



Now decided after editing my photo's and video to write a short blog. It's going to be short as I am dying for a wee and cannot be bothered to hop through to the bathroom and back, yeah got my leg off you see. Also need to grab a shower as have not been in since coming in off my bike and I am hacky of said puddles.

We had a lovely ride through South Moor Memorial Park this morning. Lots of new path ways, bridges and signs being put in place. It's all to do with funding for what is known as the Heritage Trail. 

 









Oh there is also lots of dog shit. John is very good at discovering this. Come on John it's no laughing matter it's every bloody ride man. 

John on his Fattie

John with Poo Stick in hand

I am surprised this bloke is not the luckiest man in the world

Bimbling over one of the new bridges

Lovely morning

I have been Tango'd

Playing down the park

On my Silverback Fat Bike

Love just messing around

I think wor Baxter wanted to join us this morning. As a pup he could squeeze under our rusty yard gates. Now he is older and a bit of a porker he can just get his head under.

I still have dreams of winning the lottery and buying a place on the Isle of Mull. Somewhere with a bit of land all fenced off so wor Bax can run around till his hearts content. Hey everyone needs a dream right?

 

Add caption

Been a canny morning weather wise, did not start raining until we were on our way home. John has been a star, acting as director and cameraman for today's bit play about. Have to say not too impressed with my little Panasonic Lumix today. It usually takes a cracking photo, yet last few outings the image quality has been lacking. Very blurry shots. Of course blame the camera, nothing to do with my camera skills. It is a typical point and shoot when I have it, as nowadays I cannot see if the picture through the lcd screen looks blurry in the first place as everything looks blurry without my glasses on.

John avoiding the mud

Me attempting a track stand

And failing lol

Tried my new Race Face cycling under shorts today, still got a dead sore arse. Decided to order a SDG Bel Air 2.0 saddle as I think I owned one a few years ago and it was ok. Really what stops me riding more and further is the fact I always get a sore butt. Must have spent hundreds on various saddles over the years. Even been for my ass measured, but no joy.

Ok must wee so will let the pictures and vid tell a kind of story....

A memory of a pup, a hospital visit wearing a new limb that makes me go Ouch and a meet and greet with my Cuz

This morning when I switched the old puter on and visited Facebook I was greeted with a lovely memory from 2 years ago. It was wor Baxter when he was just a wee pup, sporting an Arctic ONE buff. He looked so cute and very clean and white.

Awww he was so cute

Irepressible Me, bouncing back

Wow just looking back it has been around 3 months roughly since I last posted. The reason, well without going into it too much I just have not felt well. To be honest this year so far has been an extremely tough one for me. I mean in many a persons eyes it will not seem too dramatic, but for me and how I have been feeling both physically and mentally it's just been...Mmmmm what word comes to mind... how about  Turmoil.

Out and about listening to  a few tunes

You know when something is up, but you just cannot put your finger on it?

As the post title says "You know when something is up, but you just cannot put your finger on it?"... well upon my first ride out on my Silverback Synergy Fat I put my finger or should I say fingers straight on the problem. Omg the brake levers are the wrong way around. Now after a few rides I find I am continually  going for the rear brake and confusing it for the front. It does nothing for your street cred when you are trying to show off and do a skid and whip your bike around, when in reality each time I almost go over the bars lol.

Just some of the Peterson clan. I love these guys

This immediately brought back memories of my trip to Ogden Utah in the US of A to meet up with my awesome friend Mark Peterson and of course his absolutely fantastic parents.

You see upon my visit Mark had arranged for me to get a loaner bike. A Trek Stasche 29'er from a very kind gentleman named Matt Howard who runs The Bike Shoppe. The bike was practically brand new and was fitted with a dropper post. This was my first go using a dropper and it converted me, so that all my bikes run droppers, yes even my road bike.

Here is Matt and da man that is Mark Peterson

Anyhoo for those of you in the know you will know that not only do American's drive on the wrong side of the road, but also their  brake lever set up is slightly different to here in the UK. The left lever is the front and the right is the rear in the US, whilst we are the other way around. I wasn't aware at the time and even when I had discovered forgot. Now yeah you will probably think "It's no big deal", however imagine flying down a trail trying to keep up with your good buddy who happens to know the trail and coming to a tight right hand turn, then grabbing for the brakes. "Oh crap" you confuse which is which and  your front wheel starts to wipe out. Mark's friend Lance was following close behind and he found it hilarious when I shot off into the brush. Thee stuff I went into reminded me of those tumble weeds you see on the old western movies. It was a case of "agghhh" "oooooh! and as I came to a stop in the middle of this scrub a "phewwww!". Now that could have been so much worse.

The following day I was recounting my near miss to Mark's dad Cliff and he said "you do know there are rattle snakes in them there hills". Really well I had no intention of going in there again. Saying which as I recall whilst out on a steady upward ride up into the hills I encountered a switch back which was tough to manoeuvre due to my prosthetic side. Luckily there was a tree to grab on to so I could stop and hold myself up. Unluckily when I pushed off, "ahhhhh"  not enough momentum. I can't unclip whilst riding with my prosthetic side so ended up tumbling down the side of the bank. It was funny as I was more worried about Matt's bike so as I fell I tried to hold it out and protect it. Mark immediately stopped and shouted "Hey are you ok dude", once he got my reply "Yeah I'm good" he burst out laughing.

So getting back to the Silverback Synergy. At moment it is fitted with Shimano Deore's with 180mm discs. To be honest even if the brakes were the right way around I would have thought about changing the set up, the Shimano's just don't seem to have enough power or bite. 

Silverback Synergy with wonky brakes

Last year I bought a set of Sram Guide CR's for my Ibis to replace the old Elixr's which snapped at the master cylinder on two occasions. Anyhoo the new Sram rear brake has been sticking from the start so this has put me off going for that brand. Now my Hope's on my Sandman, they are another story. They have never failed, plus you can pretty much buy every component separate if you need to replace something. So I have decided to opt for a pair of Hope Race Evo 4's along with 180m floating rotors. They don't come cheap, coming in at just under £180 per unit, but at least I know I won't be grabbing the wrong lever and going for a trip over the bars and that the Hope's have great stopping power.

A Ride to The Hub on Newcastles Quayside.

It's been another 3 weeks since I last rode. I am feeling pretty crap, it's being going on around 3 months now. Another trip to the doctors last week and I was put on more  anti-biotics to try and combat this chest and throat infection I have been suffering with.

Baxter

Baxter, he is such a good lad