Ken and Kathleen Cycling Diary

  Sunday 02/08/2026 3.89 miles. A little solo ride around Boldon Colliery, before vintage 1947 Pensioner gets out of bed, on my Specialised Vado 4SL. Friday 07/08/2026 15.24 miles. Boldon Colliery - Jarrow - Washington - Boldon Colliery. Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Mild 21c, but, a bit cloudy and a stiff breeze from the west. Cycle gate on Spout Lane still not widened, as promised by Council, so, we used our detour. A coffee and Sandwich stop at Washing Village Green. Return via Barmston Village, and, held up again, for about 15 minutes, just after Nissan, whilst a couple of workmen changed a telegraph pole. Spent the time chatting to a fellow cyclist, who said he had noticed us previously pedalling our tandem.

Monday, 27th July 2026 9.70 miles. Two vintage 1947 pensioners riding a Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Warm 21C, but, with a really brisk wind from the West. We tried out a new variation on one of our routes. The intention to make a circuit, taking in the Red Lion (a possible refreshment stop). We did Boldon Colliery - Cleadon Village - Fulwell - East Boldon - West Boldon - Boldon Colliery . The intention was, after West Boldon, to go along Downhill Lane, then, via the Cycle route alongside the A19. But, the unpleasant wind, plus too much traffic noise (for most of the way, we were on Cycle Routes), meant that the "Boss" Pensioner had had enough, so, we cut it short.   Friday, 31st July 2026 2.79 miles. An early morning outing, only one vintage 1947 Pensioner (the other one still in bed), riding Carerra Cross City Bike. Battery seems to be miss-behaving, perhaps several months of non-use have done for it?  19.67 miles.  Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Ha...

  Monday, 20th July 2026 15.19 miles.  Two vintage 1947 Pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi recumbent tandem. Warm (19c), calm and sunny summers day. Boldon Colliery - Sunderland Glass Centre. It was meant to include Seaburn and the coast, but, the elderly pensioner in charge of the camera (Me), forgot to switch the camera on as we left home, then, having switched on at the end of Downhill Lane section, he forgot to switch camera on after our Coffee stop. The full circuit was Boldon Colliery - Sunderland - Seaburn - Whitburn - Boldon Colliery, but, only the middle section was videoed. Friday, 24th July 2026 13.92 miles. A mystery tour of Washington. Two vintage 1947 pensioners, riding Hase Pino Steps, semi-recumbent tandem. Warm 22c, but, a brisk breeze from the West. Sadly, no video, the Pensioner in charge of the camera (ie Me), forgot to put the SD Card in! An interesting tour of Washington, found a track which bypasses the narrow bicycle gate on Spout Lane (which Su...

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.  

  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.