Another bike ride that's been slow to make it onto the blog. More dodgy pictures have surfaced, so.....
Cast your minds back to June 19th, and it's just Ian and Dunk out again, as Jim and Chris had delved into the bag of excuses once more.
Just a gentle ride was planned, as it was blowing a gale again, and my knee wasn't what it should be, plus I had new cycling glasses to try and get used to. Odd distortions from the prescription lenses you know.
Along the Quayside by Scotswood Business Park, and the heavens opened. Just a shower, so we hid behind a building and let it blow over. Note the stylish headgear and aforementioned shades.
So, it was along the Newcastle side of the river, over the Scotswood Bridge, and onto the Derwent Walk.
Action shot on the Derwent Walk at Rowlands Gill.
And here's
Actually, the new glasses were performing pretty well. No flies in the face or watery eyes. Result.
Sadly, the dodgy knee eventually gave up the ghost at Consett Steel Works, rather badly actually, and of course the furthest point from home. We limped very slowly to the tearoom at Lydgetts Junction.
Ian puts on a brave face while I load up with drugs. Ahhhh, emergency Ibuprofens.
Actually, he's probably admiring himself in the reflection on the new shades.
Toastie!
Cheese and Ham. Lovely.
Tucking into a rather large piece of Banoffee Gateaux, somewhat drowned in cream. Which is a good thing. Can't have Ibuprofens on an empty stomach you know. The Hownsgill Tea Room is very good, dead cheap and big helpings.
Note, still wearing the new glasses. DId I mention I was trying out some new glasses?
Used to have hair before wearing the cycling helmet you know.
Just west of Annfield Plain, and the drugs are working as long as I took it slow. We had fiddled with the seat height as well, which also seemed to help.
We pressed on until past Stanley when Ian decided to take us on a detour to avoid any uphill bits and save the knee.
A few hairy moments crossing dual carriageways, Ian racing on ahead so much that I got lost near Pelton, nasty rush hour traffic in Ouston and a few grumpy moments down towards Lamesley, and then up the old Bowes Incline to the Angel.
And then to top it all a puncture. Back wheel of course. Not my day. Ian fixed it double quick (well, much quicker than I would). I had paid for the food though, so he earned it.
So with that, it was back to the pub. 40 miles. Just taking it easy apparently.
(There might be a Google Earth file at some point of this route)
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