Ken and Kathleen Cycling Diary

Monday 13th July 2026. 15.93 miles.   Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington Village - Boldon Colliery . Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps. Pleasant summer morning, 19c, mainly sunny, slight breeze from the East, strengthening for our return, as we headed East, Typical or what? Lunch at the Coffee shop on Washington Village Green. The usual two obstacles in the form of Bicycle "gates" too narrow to get out tandem through. Fortunately, at one, an obliging young chap, fellow cyclist, helped us lift it over the gate. At the second, no such luck, we had to do it ourselves, lifting 35kg to shoulder height, a bit too much for two 79 year olds!

Wednesday, 1st July 2026. 19.86 miles. Boldon Colliery - Whitburn - South Shields - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery.     Two vintage 1947 Penioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Warm (20c) and sunny day, with minimum wind. Coffee and bacon sandwich stop at Minchellas, Little Haven.

Thursday 25th June 2026 5.08 miles. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. A much cooler day today, with sea fret rolling in from the Sea and the Humber Estuary, so, really at more typical English summer temperature, ie about 20c. "Freezing" according to Kathleen. We cycle to The Spotted Duck Tea Rooms, within Westfield Country park, on the edge of the hamlet of Fitling Wednesday 24th June 2026 5.09+6.15 =11.24 11.24 miles.  Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, sejm-recumbant tandem. It is hot, 27c. Kenby Farm - Roos - Burton Pidsea - Kenby Farm. Tuesday 23rd June 2026 5.97 miles. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, sejm-recumbant tandem. It is hot, 27c. Exploring the immediate area around Kenby Farm CL. The road outside the site is actually part of a cycling bye-way circular route, but, on checking, it is 50+ miles, a little beyond our capabilities.

  Sunday 14th June 2026 12.12 miles. B oldon Colliery - Nissan - Amazon Follingsby - Jarrow - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps Semi-recumbent tandem. Dull, with heavy cloud, windy, not a good day, for mid June. Rounded off with a "picnic" in West Park, Jarrow. Not the best experience, park is neglected, and, infested with dogs running loose off the lead.

  Wednesday, 10th June 2026 10.94 miles. Boldon Colliery - Whitburn - Boldon Colliery.  Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps Semi-recumbent Tandem. For June, rather chilly, some some sunshine, but, also, a shower. Not even the pleasure of a coffee at Whitburn, cafe has closed and is being refurbished, before being re-openned by new owners.

  Sunday, 24th May 2026 9.91 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Follingsby Amazon - West Pastures - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Beautiful day, sunny, 23c. Thursday, 28th May 2026 20.08 Miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Pedestrian Tunnel - Howden - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon Colliery.  Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Beautiful day, sunny, 19c. A route we have not done for a long time, and, never on the Hase Pino. An unfortunate falling off at Bill Quay, but, no harm done, except to our dignity.