Ken and Kathleen Cycling Diary

  Monday, 18th May 2026 19.78 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Whitburn - South Shields - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery . Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding a Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbenet tandem. Mild day, sunny with cloud. A stop for coffee and bacon sandwich, at Minchella's Little Haven Cafe.  Friday, 22nd May 2026 6.5 miles. West Pasture. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners riding a Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Totally disorganised, no video, no Garmin. I suppose that means, not on Strava, so, it didn't happen!

Monday 4th May 2026 10.94 Miles. Boldon - Nissan - Follingsby - Jarrow.  Calm, mild and dry, but, lots of puddles from yesterday's rain. One vintage 1947 pensioner, riding Specialised Vado 4SL e-bike. Friday 8th May 2026 16.03 miles. Boldon - Jarrow - Wardley - Washington Village - Nissan - Boldon. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. A route we have not done on the Pino, for a long time. Mainly because there are two "access issues" one on Spout Lane, the other on the link between Horsley Road and Walton Road, both Washington. The "A-frame" style cycle access is far too narrow, and, we cannot get our Hase Pino through it, even a "normal" pedal cycle is a struggle. Fortunately, to there were helpful men around to give assistance, lifting the Pino over the obstruction. Coffee and cake at Washington Village cafe on the green, where we were joined by a group of 15-20 cyclists (all men of retirement age).      

Thursday, 30th April 2026  2.4 miles. Boldon Colliery. Our first outing of 2026 on the Hase Pino Steps. A very short ride, mainly to satisfy Kathleen that desfpitethe slow progress of her Alzheimer's, she can still ride as stoker on the Pino. In that respect, a success, she managed superbly, and, thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately the cycle track on our regular route is closed because of road works. True to form, local council has made no provision for an alternative route. Friday, 1st May 2026 6.48 miles. Boldon Colliery - Nissan - West Pasture . Only one vintage 1947 pensioner, early morning ride. Sunny and calm, but a cool 8c. So long since I used my camera, I got the video upside down!, hopefully, I can flip it over in Youtube. 9.91 miles. Boldon Colliery - Dipe Lane - Downhill Lane - Nissan - West Pasture. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps Semi-recumbent tandem. Beautiful sunny day, 20c.

  Tuesday 7th April 2026 4.72 miles. Boldon - Downhill Lane. First outing since mid November 2025, so, only a short one. Only one vintage 1947 pensioner. A cool (6c), but, dry, calm and sunny. Video is rear view, and upside down!, front view failed to. record. Total failure.

  Sunday 9th November 2025 6.41 miles. Boldon - Nissan - West Pastures. Only one  vintage 1947 pensioner, the other one is still in bed, saying it is too cold for cycling. Riding Specialised Vado 4 SL e-bike, which takes a bit of adjusting to, after riding the Hase Pino. Bright sunny November morning (07:30), 7c, and totally still. It must have been cold overnight, the water in the ditches has a thin covering of ice. Wednesday 12th November 2025 6.77 miles. Boldon - Nissan - West Pastures.   Only one vintage 1947 pensioner, the other one is still in bed, saying it is too cold for cycling. Riding Specialised Vado 4 SL e-bike. Pleasant November morning ( 07:00 ), 7c, and totally still. Still dark when I set out. For some reason, road traffic seems exceptionally busy, so, I detour and cross the A184 at the traffic light controlled crossing at Testo's Roundabout.

  Wednesday, 24th September 2025 10.87 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Follingsby - Nissan - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps Semi-recumbent tandem. Bright sunny September day, 15c, with just a slight breeze. We are so engrossed in zooming along, we pass Kathleen's brother Phil in Video 5, about 1 minute in, without recognising him oops!