Wednesday 1st September 2021
Weather pissed me off first thing. Needed to buy food for lunch and tea so went out to town and got a few things. Also got a T25 torx key to tighten my rear disc brake rotor. Slept for an hour then went out on the bike at five. Much better with 760mm grip setting. Feel like I should just get the excess bar metal trimmed off straight away but will wait awhile just to be sure. It’s much better for pulls whilst standing and nippier on the narrow trails around obstacles. Cleaned a couple of things first time. Tyres a bit sketchy in wet conditions, slipped out on some roots.. Tonight, I listened to the Pistols, Depeche Mode and Hands Off Gretel whilst typing. Got the meet-up sorted for Elaine to get her pamphlets. 11.43pm.Thursday 2nd September 2021
Cut a nice inch-long slit in my scalp this morning That’s what happens when you switch from Gillette back to Wilkinson. It didn’t hurt but I felt the blade bite and thought, Bugger, that’ll be substantial. And thirty seconds later the claret started to run down to my ear. Needed three plasters to keep it secure. Walked into Consett with Elaine’s pamphlets. Pleased they are to her liking. We looked through all the stock then I wrapped the colour variant bundles to prevent them sliding about in a shoebox. Elaine pointed out ‘Rememberings’ by Sinead O’Connor on the biography shelf in the library and I quickly snapped it up. I then bought The Comfort Book in Tesco for a friend’s birthday and hauled more food home. The sun came out. I had a salmon paste and cucumber sandwich then mowed (read as chewed) the wet garden grass for two hours. My back and legs ache badly. This evening I read a bit of Comfort and Rememberings. Answered queries from Elaine on ISBNs. Had another SPC sandwich then decided to come to bed early. Skipped Newsnight. Might read a bit. 10.29pm.
Friday 3rd September 2021
Still aching after the big grass chewing session yesterday. As much as I wanted to, I didn't go out on the bike. I got through about a hundred pages of Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book. I keyed in pages. Chatted online to Jenni. Watched a Toyah thank you about her Posh Pop album. I found out Behemoth are playing next September in the UK, not this month. I read an article interview from Fenris of Darkthrone. In which he talks about his ongoing job in the post office. He mentions Charles Bukowski. I like Darkthrone's recent stuff much more than the early stuff. I replaced the sticky plaster on my scalp and found out I actually have another Gillette razor head and could have spared myself the injury. I added to a thread about why I bought the bike. I ate fish fingers and chips. And lentil soup. And salmon paste and cucumber sandwiches. I got through a whole loaf since Wednesday. I aim to bike at least three times over the next week. I want to read Sinead's book as well. Enough. 11.26pm
Still aching after the big grass chewing session yesterday. As much as I wanted to, I didn't go out on the bike. I got through about a hundred pages of Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book. I keyed in pages. Chatted online to Jenni. Watched a Toyah thank you about her Posh Pop album. I found out Behemoth are playing next September in the UK, not this month. I read an article interview from Fenris of Darkthrone. In which he talks about his ongoing job in the post office. He mentions Charles Bukowski. I like Darkthrone's recent stuff much more than the early stuff. I replaced the sticky plaster on my scalp and found out I actually have another Gillette razor head and could have spared myself the injury. I added to a thread about why I bought the bike. I ate fish fingers and chips. And lentil soup. And salmon paste and cucumber sandwiches. I got through a whole loaf since Wednesday. I aim to bike at least three times over the next week. I want to read Sinead's book as well. Enough. 11.26pm
Saturday 4th September 2021
Long day. Woke at seven but stayed in bed till ten. Number crunching. Book ideas. Read a bit more of The Comfort Book. Would like to check out Matt Haig’s fiction. Went into town for cloth tape but no black. Weighed myself down with more food supplies. Burger for dinner. Cakey tea. Tried to read a black metal book but fell asleep on the couch. Revisited So Much for the Sunshine. I'm tempted to video some of the poems. Surprised by how much impact the book had on me tonight. 11.30pm
Sunday 5th September 2021
Long lie in. A great ride on the new bike this afternoon. A couple more stream rides, some canny ascents and cleans over the roots. Pity the hub is grunting though. The cassette is loose. Bike shop on Tuesday, I reckon. Not open Mondays. I'm pretty wrecked. Lots to do but need time off. Finished reading The Comfort Book this afternoon as well. Biked from three till seven. Only my fifth time proper. OK. 11.06pm.
Long day. Woke at seven but stayed in bed till ten. Number crunching. Book ideas. Read a bit more of The Comfort Book. Would like to check out Matt Haig’s fiction. Went into town for cloth tape but no black. Weighed myself down with more food supplies. Burger for dinner. Cakey tea. Tried to read a black metal book but fell asleep on the couch. Revisited So Much for the Sunshine. I'm tempted to video some of the poems. Surprised by how much impact the book had on me tonight. 11.30pm
Sunday 5th September 2021
Long lie in. A great ride on the new bike this afternoon. A couple more stream rides, some canny ascents and cleans over the roots. Pity the hub is grunting though. The cassette is loose. Bike shop on Tuesday, I reckon. Not open Mondays. I'm pretty wrecked. Lots to do but need time off. Finished reading The Comfort Book this afternoon as well. Biked from three till seven. Only my fifth time proper. OK. 11.06pm.
Monday 6th September 2021
Well, it seems I’m not the only Sonder owner less than impressed with the Nova wheel hubs. A guy called Scott Tate posted a video to Facebook showing how bad his back wheel sounds. I’m taking my bike to Sean in Consett tomorrow in hopes of getting the bearings replaced ASAP. I wrapped up a birthday present this afternoon and took it to the Post Office. Then I got a bottle of blue juice to drink whilst checking out trails by the Gill Caves. If I get the bike fixed this week, I might get another ride or two. If not, the terrain will be fucking gunk and I won’t be using the Sonder until next spring. I’ve tried getting a Shimano hub but no-one has the model I need in stock. I don’t want to have to fork out for a Hope Pro 4 hub but might have to. They are made in England and therefore contactable direct with great customer service. Got my morning pages keyed in and watched Newsnight. I am tired and hungry. I got no zine work done, for fuck’s sake. 11.46pm.
Tuesday 7th September 2021
I took the Sonder bike to Sean’s shop. He said it might cost about fifty or sixty quid to fix coz the freehub is knackered. He said I shouldn’t even be considering paying for it. The fault is with the supplier, and I should take it back. He says companies are chucking bikes together with inferior parts just to meet demand. I thanked him for his advice and contacted Alpkit. They told me to take the bike in. By the time I got there they had ordered a new back wheel. Hopefully it will be instore by Saturday. Hopefully the bike will be ready to ride that day. I walked by the Tyne on the cycle path. Had my tea and kept walking to Derwenthaugh Park, caught the X45 to Consett. Got a few supplies at Tesco and home by nine. Pretty knackered. I replied to some messages and tried to watch Newsnight but kept falling asleep. Salmon paste and cucumber sandwiches. I am going to get shaved in the morning then go out on the Rockhopper. Tomorrow is probably the last day of my home holiday. Then it’s college prep and Waddy anthology. 11.44pm.
Wednesday 8th September 2021
Took advantage of the hot weather and got out on the Specialized Rockhopper bike. I rode over to Allenheads and back on the C2C route. 26 miles each way. If I could manage three days in a row, I reckon I could do the full 140-mile challenge. The bit I did was mainly on roads. Getting out onto the starting point for the return journey was a bit of a nightmare. I didn’t realise how much of it was uphill until, with relief, I was freewheeling down the roads. I didn’t get to do any off-road besides Waskerley Way. I’ll maybe try another section at some point, but the weather probably won’t be so kind. It was really windy in some places, but it was a warm wind. Took three and a half hours to get to Allenheads, two hours twenty minutes to get back. Chatted on the phone with brother Mark about bikes tonight. And I have a wheel from Alpkit in transit for the big Sonder bike. Pity the weather will be shit on Saturday. Hope to get back from Gateshead without a soaking. Really tired now. Just want to eat and sleep. OK. 10.46pm.
Well, it seems I’m not the only Sonder owner less than impressed with the Nova wheel hubs. A guy called Scott Tate posted a video to Facebook showing how bad his back wheel sounds. I’m taking my bike to Sean in Consett tomorrow in hopes of getting the bearings replaced ASAP. I wrapped up a birthday present this afternoon and took it to the Post Office. Then I got a bottle of blue juice to drink whilst checking out trails by the Gill Caves. If I get the bike fixed this week, I might get another ride or two. If not, the terrain will be fucking gunk and I won’t be using the Sonder until next spring. I’ve tried getting a Shimano hub but no-one has the model I need in stock. I don’t want to have to fork out for a Hope Pro 4 hub but might have to. They are made in England and therefore contactable direct with great customer service. Got my morning pages keyed in and watched Newsnight. I am tired and hungry. I got no zine work done, for fuck’s sake. 11.46pm.
Tuesday 7th September 2021
I took the Sonder bike to Sean’s shop. He said it might cost about fifty or sixty quid to fix coz the freehub is knackered. He said I shouldn’t even be considering paying for it. The fault is with the supplier, and I should take it back. He says companies are chucking bikes together with inferior parts just to meet demand. I thanked him for his advice and contacted Alpkit. They told me to take the bike in. By the time I got there they had ordered a new back wheel. Hopefully it will be instore by Saturday. Hopefully the bike will be ready to ride that day. I walked by the Tyne on the cycle path. Had my tea and kept walking to Derwenthaugh Park, caught the X45 to Consett. Got a few supplies at Tesco and home by nine. Pretty knackered. I replied to some messages and tried to watch Newsnight but kept falling asleep. Salmon paste and cucumber sandwiches. I am going to get shaved in the morning then go out on the Rockhopper. Tomorrow is probably the last day of my home holiday. Then it’s college prep and Waddy anthology. 11.44pm.
Wednesday 8th September 2021
Took advantage of the hot weather and got out on the Specialized Rockhopper bike. I rode over to Allenheads and back on the C2C route. 26 miles each way. If I could manage three days in a row, I reckon I could do the full 140-mile challenge. The bit I did was mainly on roads. Getting out onto the starting point for the return journey was a bit of a nightmare. I didn’t realise how much of it was uphill until, with relief, I was freewheeling down the roads. I didn’t get to do any off-road besides Waskerley Way. I’ll maybe try another section at some point, but the weather probably won’t be so kind. It was really windy in some places, but it was a warm wind. Took three and a half hours to get to Allenheads, two hours twenty minutes to get back. Chatted on the phone with brother Mark about bikes tonight. And I have a wheel from Alpkit in transit for the big Sonder bike. Pity the weather will be shit on Saturday. Hope to get back from Gateshead without a soaking. Really tired now. Just want to eat and sleep. OK. 10.46pm.
Thursday 9th September 2021
As expected, pretty tired much of the day. Even had to get up at 3am for a sandwich and a drink of water. The new wheel that I was told would be redirected to Alpkit Gateshead arrived on my doorstep this morning. I decided to open the package and discovered that Sonder have upgraded my Nova wheel to the top of the range Alpha. The rim is a few mm narrower than the Nova but still takes a 2.8-inch tyre. The hub is much better with quicker engagement. 6-pawl construction gives it 120 engagement points, apparently. I hope it all comes right for my bike on Saturday. I slept a couple of hours this afternoon then checked the work email but didn’t do anything too taxing. Mainly been reading the C2C guide and working out how I could try out sections before attempting the whole thing next summer. If I could get to Penrith, I could ride back all the way to Consett. Which is the same mileage covered yesterday. Maybe a train one weekend. Maybe even this autumn. So long as I could get the bike onboard from Newcastle. I aim to do catch-up work tomorrow. Okay. 11.38pm.
Friday 10th September 2021
Took ages to do pages and copy-ups. Spent more time looking at C2C logistics. And local hellish hill climbs. I fancy doing all eleven of the top killer climbs – much easier on my mountain bike, of course. Jenni sent me info for a possible acting job next year. I sent my details to the shout-out email address. But I won’t be able to travel too far for an audition. Been out tonight to get food in. First time on the 78-bus. It’s just the same as the 16. There are gaps on the supermarket shelves. Just waiting for war now. And microchip implants. I’m joking, of course, but we are slowly being beaten into submission. Why aren’t the public calling for politicians’ heads on spikes? I did some ‘online training’ today for child safeguarding. I can’t remember much about it. I don’t work with kids and have no intention of doing so. Watched latest Ali Clarkson and Katie Kookaburra bike vids. I’m keen to get my Frontier bike back. The weather is now forecast to be good tomorrow. So I should be okay. 11.50pm.
Saturday 11th September 2021
Skipped exercise. Packed bag for trip to bike shop in Metro Centre. Alpkit staff good. Gary fitted my new back wheel, reset the gears, and trimmed my bars to 760mm. I rode over to Bensham and dropped in on Jenni. Watched an episode of The Cleaner then nipped out to buy a new presta valve air pump. Jenni couldn’t go to work so I’m staying over. Watched the gameshows this evening. 10.52pm.
As expected, pretty tired much of the day. Even had to get up at 3am for a sandwich and a drink of water. The new wheel that I was told would be redirected to Alpkit Gateshead arrived on my doorstep this morning. I decided to open the package and discovered that Sonder have upgraded my Nova wheel to the top of the range Alpha. The rim is a few mm narrower than the Nova but still takes a 2.8-inch tyre. The hub is much better with quicker engagement. 6-pawl construction gives it 120 engagement points, apparently. I hope it all comes right for my bike on Saturday. I slept a couple of hours this afternoon then checked the work email but didn’t do anything too taxing. Mainly been reading the C2C guide and working out how I could try out sections before attempting the whole thing next summer. If I could get to Penrith, I could ride back all the way to Consett. Which is the same mileage covered yesterday. Maybe a train one weekend. Maybe even this autumn. So long as I could get the bike onboard from Newcastle. I aim to do catch-up work tomorrow. Okay. 11.38pm.
Friday 10th September 2021
Took ages to do pages and copy-ups. Spent more time looking at C2C logistics. And local hellish hill climbs. I fancy doing all eleven of the top killer climbs – much easier on my mountain bike, of course. Jenni sent me info for a possible acting job next year. I sent my details to the shout-out email address. But I won’t be able to travel too far for an audition. Been out tonight to get food in. First time on the 78-bus. It’s just the same as the 16. There are gaps on the supermarket shelves. Just waiting for war now. And microchip implants. I’m joking, of course, but we are slowly being beaten into submission. Why aren’t the public calling for politicians’ heads on spikes? I did some ‘online training’ today for child safeguarding. I can’t remember much about it. I don’t work with kids and have no intention of doing so. Watched latest Ali Clarkson and Katie Kookaburra bike vids. I’m keen to get my Frontier bike back. The weather is now forecast to be good tomorrow. So I should be okay. 11.50pm.
Saturday 11th September 2021
Skipped exercise. Packed bag for trip to bike shop in Metro Centre. Alpkit staff good. Gary fitted my new back wheel, reset the gears, and trimmed my bars to 760mm. I rode over to Bensham and dropped in on Jenni. Watched an episode of The Cleaner then nipped out to buy a new presta valve air pump. Jenni couldn’t go to work so I’m staying over. Watched the gameshows this evening. 10.52pm.
Sunday 12th September 2021
Lush pizza and chips dinner with Jenni today. We watched a couple of Sept 11th documentaries. I rode home just after 4pm. Spent a good while in the woods on the new bike. Found some little rocks to ride. A few squeaks and clicks but nothing serious. Had a good time. Looked for hubs and bash guards online. Fell asleep on the couch. Watched Toyah and Fripp Sunday Lunch “Boots Are Made for Walking” video. Late to bed. 11.54pm.
Lush pizza and chips dinner with Jenni today. We watched a couple of Sept 11th documentaries. I rode home just after 4pm. Spent a good while in the woods on the new bike. Found some little rocks to ride. A few squeaks and clicks but nothing serious. Had a good time. Looked for hubs and bash guards online. Fell asleep on the couch. Watched Toyah and Fripp Sunday Lunch “Boots Are Made for Walking” video. Late to bed. 11.54pm.
Monday 13th September 2021
Today was a bit fucked up. Got an email about the ‘training’ from last week. I don’t even want to write about it. I get so fucking annoyed at any intrusion into my home life. I was supposed to be doing lots of typing today. But I had to defrost the freezer and throw away half-thawed food then go buy more. Read a lot about quick-engaging rear hubs. Watched two Steve Hughes metal promo music videos. And a bit of an interview. Me and Jenni are going to see his new comedy show next month at The Stand. It’s the same night as Roger Taylor but I don’t fancy a music gig just yet. I don’t want to write much. Listened to Ozzy and Lemmy do Hellraiser. Watched Katie Kookaburra 65km gravel race at Kielder. She did it after an Achilles injury. I did no exercise today. Will be in bed soon. Try harder tomorrow. 11.33pm.
Tuesday 14th September 2021
More shit from too much formal paperwork overload. I sometimes think it would be better to just find some dull fucking job and stop trying to do the writing trip. I spent ages typing stuff today, but it didn’t get far. By teatime I was feeling very fucking angry and ready to switch off. The rain was only slight; I could have been out on the bike. I watched some Steve Hughes stuff. I liked his comments in an interview in which he says what if Covid is a global manifestation of our inability to deal with full-on oppression and it’s a breakdown wakeup call. I get the sense that he’s an anti-vaxer. He says he’s watched no covid stuff at all. I am ready for time out on the bike. I just want to withdraw from everything that has any formal constraint written on it. Protocol. Rules. Society. All of it. Fucking sick. Had enough. Bullshit. The weather is forecast to be a bit better tomorrow. Anyway. Enough. 11.50pm.
Wednesday 15th September 2021
Good constructive morning looking at novel writing exercises and poetry presses online for future sessions. No word from college. I went out on the Sonder Frontier this afternoon. Quite messy. But I rode some new stuff. Rollbacks on tarmac. Hill climbs in harder gears. Rode some new lines on old terrain by the river. But the place is a bit greasy now and rocks are a nightmare with original tyres. I listened to a novel writing podcast. I watched Olivia Hyde’s (Bad Pollyanna) online show to promote the fundraiser for Open Letter to Death video. I watched Steve Hughes hilarious ‘While It’s Still Legal’ stand-up show. I watched Katie Kookaburra on Things Going Wrong. I have a headache. Hope I’m not going down the migraine route. I will have to stay indoors a lot more to get shit done. Very behind and need to type, type, type. I am tired and want to go to bed, but I need to do a computer update after Newsnight – which is all about the cabinet reshuffle. More distraction.11.15pm.
Thursday 16th September 2021
Really nice weather. But I stayed in, doing my typing. Still lots more to do. Had to knock off a couple of times coz I started to get a headache. Checked out some more metal bands: Saarke, Burial, Crimson Throne, The Infernal Sea. Watched some great ‘fat bike’ footage online as well. Good to get out this evening for supplies. I should’ve got more meat. Some of the shelves were quite bare but I got everything I looked for. I do, however, always forget stuff. There’s a metal show at the Fulford Arms in York next Spring that has about a dozen bands for about twelve quid. Now that’s a bargain. Probably the reason that it’s sold out. I would like to go to some metal shows. I’d love to see Behemoth next September. I posted a thanks on Sonder bike owners’ page. Good service from them. Hoping to get a bash guard for the Frontier at some point. Bed soon. 11.42pm.
Friday 17th September 2021
Today was a bit fucked up. Got an email about the ‘training’ from last week. I don’t even want to write about it. I get so fucking annoyed at any intrusion into my home life. I was supposed to be doing lots of typing today. But I had to defrost the freezer and throw away half-thawed food then go buy more. Read a lot about quick-engaging rear hubs. Watched two Steve Hughes metal promo music videos. And a bit of an interview. Me and Jenni are going to see his new comedy show next month at The Stand. It’s the same night as Roger Taylor but I don’t fancy a music gig just yet. I don’t want to write much. Listened to Ozzy and Lemmy do Hellraiser. Watched Katie Kookaburra 65km gravel race at Kielder. She did it after an Achilles injury. I did no exercise today. Will be in bed soon. Try harder tomorrow. 11.33pm.
Tuesday 14th September 2021
More shit from too much formal paperwork overload. I sometimes think it would be better to just find some dull fucking job and stop trying to do the writing trip. I spent ages typing stuff today, but it didn’t get far. By teatime I was feeling very fucking angry and ready to switch off. The rain was only slight; I could have been out on the bike. I watched some Steve Hughes stuff. I liked his comments in an interview in which he says what if Covid is a global manifestation of our inability to deal with full-on oppression and it’s a breakdown wakeup call. I get the sense that he’s an anti-vaxer. He says he’s watched no covid stuff at all. I am ready for time out on the bike. I just want to withdraw from everything that has any formal constraint written on it. Protocol. Rules. Society. All of it. Fucking sick. Had enough. Bullshit. The weather is forecast to be a bit better tomorrow. Anyway. Enough. 11.50pm.
Wednesday 15th September 2021
Good constructive morning looking at novel writing exercises and poetry presses online for future sessions. No word from college. I went out on the Sonder Frontier this afternoon. Quite messy. But I rode some new stuff. Rollbacks on tarmac. Hill climbs in harder gears. Rode some new lines on old terrain by the river. But the place is a bit greasy now and rocks are a nightmare with original tyres. I listened to a novel writing podcast. I watched Olivia Hyde’s (Bad Pollyanna) online show to promote the fundraiser for Open Letter to Death video. I watched Steve Hughes hilarious ‘While It’s Still Legal’ stand-up show. I watched Katie Kookaburra on Things Going Wrong. I have a headache. Hope I’m not going down the migraine route. I will have to stay indoors a lot more to get shit done. Very behind and need to type, type, type. I am tired and want to go to bed, but I need to do a computer update after Newsnight – which is all about the cabinet reshuffle. More distraction.11.15pm.
Thursday 16th September 2021
Really nice weather. But I stayed in, doing my typing. Still lots more to do. Had to knock off a couple of times coz I started to get a headache. Checked out some more metal bands: Saarke, Burial, Crimson Throne, The Infernal Sea. Watched some great ‘fat bike’ footage online as well. Good to get out this evening for supplies. I should’ve got more meat. Some of the shelves were quite bare but I got everything I looked for. I do, however, always forget stuff. There’s a metal show at the Fulford Arms in York next Spring that has about a dozen bands for about twelve quid. Now that’s a bargain. Probably the reason that it’s sold out. I would like to go to some metal shows. I’d love to see Behemoth next September. I posted a thanks on Sonder bike owners’ page. Good service from them. Hoping to get a bash guard for the Frontier at some point. Bed soon. 11.42pm.
Friday 17th September 2021
Good to get out on the Sonder today. Although I probably spent more time adjusting my pocket camcorder (attached to trees and perched on fenceposts) than I did riding. I went to some of my favourite obstacle spots and took some footage. Most of it doesn’t show the true steepness of the terrain, but the gatepost on the heritage trail just up from the pump house came out okay. I had to get help from Jenni with IT to get the Kodak app onto the new desktop. I didn’t get any fishfingers and chips coz I got engrossed in the edits and had to have veggie chilli and rice instead. Walked into Consett. Loads of police cars zipping back and forth, got the 47-bus to Newcastle. After Tesco it went on an epic detour: Shotley Bridge Hosiptal, Daisy Hill, Ebchester Hill, Blackhall Mill, Chopwell, Hooker Gate. Hi Spen, and parts of the Metro Centre I didn’t know existed. And to cap it all, the fucking heating was on full blast. Had to take my sweatshirt off. Had a good chat to Jenni. She enjoyed Educating Rita at the Theatre Royal. I’ve had a great day. Ready for big sleep now. 11.47pm.
Saturday 18th September 2021
Bit of lie in then some morning pages and a check of Facebook. More likes for Sonder bike pix. Me and Jenni went into Gateshead. A circus show was on. Some guy doing the Rubik’s Cube. We got the Metro to Gosforth. Was good to see lots of poets at the Symposium. Good to see Pete the Temp, Kate Fox and Tahira Rehman. We enjoyed the Q&A afterwards. And went for a drink with James M’Kay afterwards. Sat in the Head of Steam for a while. Watched a couple of Nirvana documentaries on TV when we got back. 10.59pm.
Sunday 19th September 2021
Late rise coz I was too tired after not getting much sleep. I had strawberry jam on toast and an orange for breakfast and keyed in two lots of morning pages. Jenni made us curry and rice for dinner. This afternoon we watched Everyone’s Talking About Jamie. I loved it. Richard E Grant was brilliant as the drag mentor. The story was ace. Tonight, we watched family fortunes. Jenni got engrossed in bus routes on her phone. I got the 47 back to Consett. Walked home. Watched the opening of the BBC Nirvana documentary. 11.41pm.
Monday 20th September 2021
Big 3cm scuff right down to the bare metal on the seat stay of my new bike frame. Only noticed it this morning. I put some black marker ink over it but will get proper touch up enamel later in the week. Checked out some of Pete (the Temp) Bearder’s poetry online. I got the grass cut this afternoon. Chewed because it was still wet at the base, despite the decent weather. Watched Ali Clarkson ‘street trials in Aberdeen’ video. Then Katie’s v-blog on Achilles heel issues. Then The Shin Dig podcast featuring an interview with biketrial legend Martin Hawyes. Then the 2021 Elite men’s 26-inch Trials World Championships. Yorkshire’s Jack Carthy won it. I read a bit of the Riverside book. Done for today. 11.50pm.
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Canny day. Caught up on my typing. Might actually get to do some Waddy work tomorrow. Don’t think I’ll be far travelled. I took the Sonder bike to Castleside Quarry. Nearly all of the cool stuff I used to ride is overgrown. I watched the Women’s Elite World Trials Championship tonight. Can’t remember the name of the winner. My memory is shit. Which doesn’t bode well for any future performance work. Ironic, I have an informal meeting for an upcoming feature film. No kidding. I can thank Jenni for putting me up to these mad opportunities. It was good to get out today. I paid the utility bill. And I got some physio done. And abdominal exercises. I listened to Tori Amos. She is touring next year but way out of my price range at £57 a ticket and not playing Newcastle. I’ve seen her twice. I still fancy going to see Behemoth nest September in Manchester. I still have copy-ups to do. I’m going to watch ‘Classic Albums: Nevermind’ before bed. I will put in a full day tomorrow. 11.42pm.
Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Concerned about the hike in energy prices. Even if I don’t use any gas appliances this winter the standing charge will still go up. Concerned about lack of workshop opportunities. Think I might need to get into zoom stuff. I checked out someone who seems to be doing rather well in other parts of the NE. I spent a good while researching. I also watched Katie Kookaburra interview Bradley Wiggins at a £2,045 three-day cycling and fine dining event on the Isle of Wight. I listened to Dark Medieval Times by Satyricon, I Loved You at Your Darkest and The Satanist by Behemoth, read a bit of Nergal’s book, and watched about 45 minutes of video footage. I got some of the college paperwork done. I saw Newsnight. I’m gonna have to just stay offline and read over the winter, I reckon. I could do with a new gel pen coz this one is almost fucked. I have a rear puncture to fix on the Sonder bike tomorrow if I want to ride. And I must do more Waddy stuff. I haven’t watched any Ken Loach films yet either. Failing badly. 11.36pm.
Thursday 23rd September 2021
Hard day. Spent ages looking at College paperwork. Fixed a puncture on the Sonder Frontier. First time I’ve removed a mountain bike rear wheel with an allen key axle. Tyre was a bit of a bastard to release from the rim. Tiny hole in the tube. The new pump works ace. Tyre nowhere near as hard as when the bike first arrived. Softer tyre means more traction. Better hill climbing. I did some good little rock rides but have to be careful coz I don’t have a bash guard so my chainring could easily get dinged. I stayed out three hours and had a great time. When I got home, I felt a bit zapped. Had baked potato with tuna and beans. Wanted to watch a couple of Ken Loach films but couldn’t concentrate. I lay down and listened to Sarah Moss talk about her latest novel Summerwater. But I fell asleep. I then decided to have a read of my NaNoWriMo fifty thousand words towards an antinovel called The Sugar-Coated Nihilist. I’m pleasantly surprised by it. Although very insular and raw, minimal dialogue, lots of introspection despite being in the third person, I think it has possibilities. I was going to go to bed but have put Newsnight on. More work tomorrow. 11.06pm.
Saturday 18th September 2021
Bit of lie in then some morning pages and a check of Facebook. More likes for Sonder bike pix. Me and Jenni went into Gateshead. A circus show was on. Some guy doing the Rubik’s Cube. We got the Metro to Gosforth. Was good to see lots of poets at the Symposium. Good to see Pete the Temp, Kate Fox and Tahira Rehman. We enjoyed the Q&A afterwards. And went for a drink with James M’Kay afterwards. Sat in the Head of Steam for a while. Watched a couple of Nirvana documentaries on TV when we got back. 10.59pm.
Sunday 19th September 2021
Late rise coz I was too tired after not getting much sleep. I had strawberry jam on toast and an orange for breakfast and keyed in two lots of morning pages. Jenni made us curry and rice for dinner. This afternoon we watched Everyone’s Talking About Jamie. I loved it. Richard E Grant was brilliant as the drag mentor. The story was ace. Tonight, we watched family fortunes. Jenni got engrossed in bus routes on her phone. I got the 47 back to Consett. Walked home. Watched the opening of the BBC Nirvana documentary. 11.41pm.
Monday 20th September 2021
Big 3cm scuff right down to the bare metal on the seat stay of my new bike frame. Only noticed it this morning. I put some black marker ink over it but will get proper touch up enamel later in the week. Checked out some of Pete (the Temp) Bearder’s poetry online. I got the grass cut this afternoon. Chewed because it was still wet at the base, despite the decent weather. Watched Ali Clarkson ‘street trials in Aberdeen’ video. Then Katie’s v-blog on Achilles heel issues. Then The Shin Dig podcast featuring an interview with biketrial legend Martin Hawyes. Then the 2021 Elite men’s 26-inch Trials World Championships. Yorkshire’s Jack Carthy won it. I read a bit of the Riverside book. Done for today. 11.50pm.
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Canny day. Caught up on my typing. Might actually get to do some Waddy work tomorrow. Don’t think I’ll be far travelled. I took the Sonder bike to Castleside Quarry. Nearly all of the cool stuff I used to ride is overgrown. I watched the Women’s Elite World Trials Championship tonight. Can’t remember the name of the winner. My memory is shit. Which doesn’t bode well for any future performance work. Ironic, I have an informal meeting for an upcoming feature film. No kidding. I can thank Jenni for putting me up to these mad opportunities. It was good to get out today. I paid the utility bill. And I got some physio done. And abdominal exercises. I listened to Tori Amos. She is touring next year but way out of my price range at £57 a ticket and not playing Newcastle. I’ve seen her twice. I still fancy going to see Behemoth nest September in Manchester. I still have copy-ups to do. I’m going to watch ‘Classic Albums: Nevermind’ before bed. I will put in a full day tomorrow. 11.42pm.
Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Concerned about the hike in energy prices. Even if I don’t use any gas appliances this winter the standing charge will still go up. Concerned about lack of workshop opportunities. Think I might need to get into zoom stuff. I checked out someone who seems to be doing rather well in other parts of the NE. I spent a good while researching. I also watched Katie Kookaburra interview Bradley Wiggins at a £2,045 three-day cycling and fine dining event on the Isle of Wight. I listened to Dark Medieval Times by Satyricon, I Loved You at Your Darkest and The Satanist by Behemoth, read a bit of Nergal’s book, and watched about 45 minutes of video footage. I got some of the college paperwork done. I saw Newsnight. I’m gonna have to just stay offline and read over the winter, I reckon. I could do with a new gel pen coz this one is almost fucked. I have a rear puncture to fix on the Sonder bike tomorrow if I want to ride. And I must do more Waddy stuff. I haven’t watched any Ken Loach films yet either. Failing badly. 11.36pm.
Thursday 23rd September 2021
Hard day. Spent ages looking at College paperwork. Fixed a puncture on the Sonder Frontier. First time I’ve removed a mountain bike rear wheel with an allen key axle. Tyre was a bit of a bastard to release from the rim. Tiny hole in the tube. The new pump works ace. Tyre nowhere near as hard as when the bike first arrived. Softer tyre means more traction. Better hill climbing. I did some good little rock rides but have to be careful coz I don’t have a bash guard so my chainring could easily get dinged. I stayed out three hours and had a great time. When I got home, I felt a bit zapped. Had baked potato with tuna and beans. Wanted to watch a couple of Ken Loach films but couldn’t concentrate. I lay down and listened to Sarah Moss talk about her latest novel Summerwater. But I fell asleep. I then decided to have a read of my NaNoWriMo fifty thousand words towards an antinovel called The Sugar-Coated Nihilist. I’m pleasantly surprised by it. Although very insular and raw, minimal dialogue, lots of introspection despite being in the third person, I think it has possibilities. I was going to go to bed but have put Newsnight on. More work tomorrow. 11.06pm.
Friday 24th September 2021
Noticed a creaking sound in the headset on the Sonder Frontier so I took it up to Bits 4 Bikes. Sean said he’d have a look and if it was fixable, he’d do it today. I bought some salmon paste in Heron and some Xmas Cake. Then walked home. Didn’t get much done. Just typed up my pages and journal. Discovered a new band called ‘Birdeatsbaby’ who sound a bit like Dresden Dolls on their early records, with a fuller classical/metal sound on more recent records. They’re British and were meant to be on tour right now but I think someone might have Covid. I also listened to Old Corpse Road. Sean rang around ten to three, said the bike was ready for collection, all done. It sounds sweet – well silent up front, anyway. I rode home, messaged Jenni for a while, checked out Elaine Cusack’s promo for her new pamphlet. She kindly gave a good endorsement of my handicrafts. Then I got ready to go over to Bensham. Took the long ride through Chopwell and High Spen, sat at the front and enjoyed the night view. 11.10pm.
Saturday 25th September 2021
Dreamt Brian May fell asleep next to me in a hotel room in France while I traded lines from Samuel Beckett’s Endgame with poet Pete Mortimer. Me and Jenni got ready and out by twelve for the bus to Newcastle and train to Seaham. Love day at Richy and Zoe’s wedding. Great goth themed ceremony and fantastic reception at Seaham Town Hall. Had chats with music buffs; had great food and cracking tunes, met some nice people. Thanks to Zoe’s grandad for rides from and to the train station. Was good to sign the skull and the goth guest book. Happy times. OK. 11.42pm.
Sunday 26th September 2021
Big lie in this morning. Ate biscuits and peanuts and drank dandelion and burdock and watched Redbull Los Angeles Soap Box Challenge. Then a programme about the Bentley SUV car made in Crewe at a retail price of one hundred and forty-seven thousand quid. At that price, it would be rude not to buy two, FFS! Me and Jenni went for some supplies. I had pie and mash. She had boiled potatoes and a rissole. Watched Strictly Come Dancing, Family Fortunes and Matlock. Read WORKS by Rollins on the bus home. 11.25pm.
Monday 27th September 2021
Not a great day. Sick of being badgered in my own home over bureaucracy that doesn’t even enhance the learning experience for people who attend my workshops and certainly doesn’t make for a better delivery from me. Sick of jumping through hoops then being locked out of online systems whilst simultaneously being told completion of formality is imperative. I got no real work done. Every time I get badgered, I struggle to continue working for the rest of the day. I have such hostility, such an aversion to pointless bureaucracy that I just lose my temper and blow up. I have a few days to pull stuff together. I am trying to focus on the actual creativity. Anyway, tomorrow is another day and hopefully a better one. Haven’t properly biked since Thursday. Weather is forecast to be decent on Wednesday so who knows. I’m going to read a bit more then sleep. 11.36pm.
Tuesday 28th September 2021
I got a bit more college stuff done but still not got the first session sorted for next week. I have a headache. I watched the first episode of Vigil. It’s about a murder on a submarine and I didn’t think I would like it but I’m keen to see the next episode. I think I need an early night. I watched ‘Classic Albums: Nevermind’ on iPlayer. And now have some Lydia Lunch on. Not exactly what you need to cure a headache. I have almost got the college stuff ready to go. I will try to sort my session tomorrow. The weather forecast is decent so I will spend some time out on the bike. Probably just the Rockhopper, probably just on country lanes or cycle tracks. It will be nearly a week since my last ride. I listened to a lot of audio poetry from Jessie Lynn McMains. One of the best American poets I’ve heard in ages. And a prolific zine maker. ‘Hello America’ is a spoken word tape publisher. I’d like to check out more of their stuff. I hope I’m okay for the next few days. Feel a bit sick at present. Might need an early night. 9.55pm.
Wednesday 29th September 2021
Finished the old paperwork for the college and sent it via email. Well, half of it. The rest is hard copy to be delivered by hand. I got a bit more prepared for the first session next week. Including a bit of National Poetry Day stuff. I got a couple of hours out on the Sonder bike and was surprised that the trails were fairly dry after yesterday’s torrential downpour. But I was rather tired and didn’t do so well. Got offered a good writing facilitation job but too far from home. Watched a few Katie Kookaburra bike vids and one about getting over trail obstacles. I really need a bash guard for the new bike. I’m watching VIGIL tonight. Didn’t think it would be my thing – a murder on a nuclear submarine but I’m enjoying it. Going to watch the final two episodes. I hope it has a decent ending. 11.06pm.
Thursday 30th September 2021
Spoke to Sean at Bits 4 Bikes on the phone about a bash guard and adapter for Sonder Frontier. He can't supply so I ordered them online. Then got an email saying the adapter won't be available until end of October. I didn't go to Consett coz it was chucking it down. Watched a couple of Ken Loach documentaries. No idea what will happen when I go to meet him tomorrow. Jenni got in touch to say she has switched jobs. I wish I could get them as frequently as she does. I had chilli and rice for tea. Listened to tracks by British black metal band Fen. And a 30-min interview. Didn't do any anthology work but had a look at some of my own stuff for the next zine. I had a slow walk into Consett and nearly missed the bus coz it was an alternative route out of town. Very few people onboard. Jenni was out when I got to her place. I washed a few bits of crockery and cleared the laundry off the bed. An hour later, I got round to check my messages. Jen is over the road at Café Under the Spire with the entire household. I watched a bit of Vera. I'm going to bed soon. 11.05pm.
Saturday 25th September 2021
Dreamt Brian May fell asleep next to me in a hotel room in France while I traded lines from Samuel Beckett’s Endgame with poet Pete Mortimer. Me and Jenni got ready and out by twelve for the bus to Newcastle and train to Seaham. Love day at Richy and Zoe’s wedding. Great goth themed ceremony and fantastic reception at Seaham Town Hall. Had chats with music buffs; had great food and cracking tunes, met some nice people. Thanks to Zoe’s grandad for rides from and to the train station. Was good to sign the skull and the goth guest book. Happy times. OK. 11.42pm.
Sunday 26th September 2021
Big lie in this morning. Ate biscuits and peanuts and drank dandelion and burdock and watched Redbull Los Angeles Soap Box Challenge. Then a programme about the Bentley SUV car made in Crewe at a retail price of one hundred and forty-seven thousand quid. At that price, it would be rude not to buy two, FFS! Me and Jenni went for some supplies. I had pie and mash. She had boiled potatoes and a rissole. Watched Strictly Come Dancing, Family Fortunes and Matlock. Read WORKS by Rollins on the bus home. 11.25pm.
Monday 27th September 2021
Not a great day. Sick of being badgered in my own home over bureaucracy that doesn’t even enhance the learning experience for people who attend my workshops and certainly doesn’t make for a better delivery from me. Sick of jumping through hoops then being locked out of online systems whilst simultaneously being told completion of formality is imperative. I got no real work done. Every time I get badgered, I struggle to continue working for the rest of the day. I have such hostility, such an aversion to pointless bureaucracy that I just lose my temper and blow up. I have a few days to pull stuff together. I am trying to focus on the actual creativity. Anyway, tomorrow is another day and hopefully a better one. Haven’t properly biked since Thursday. Weather is forecast to be decent on Wednesday so who knows. I’m going to read a bit more then sleep. 11.36pm.
Tuesday 28th September 2021
I got a bit more college stuff done but still not got the first session sorted for next week. I have a headache. I watched the first episode of Vigil. It’s about a murder on a submarine and I didn’t think I would like it but I’m keen to see the next episode. I think I need an early night. I watched ‘Classic Albums: Nevermind’ on iPlayer. And now have some Lydia Lunch on. Not exactly what you need to cure a headache. I have almost got the college stuff ready to go. I will try to sort my session tomorrow. The weather forecast is decent so I will spend some time out on the bike. Probably just the Rockhopper, probably just on country lanes or cycle tracks. It will be nearly a week since my last ride. I listened to a lot of audio poetry from Jessie Lynn McMains. One of the best American poets I’ve heard in ages. And a prolific zine maker. ‘Hello America’ is a spoken word tape publisher. I’d like to check out more of their stuff. I hope I’m okay for the next few days. Feel a bit sick at present. Might need an early night. 9.55pm.
Wednesday 29th September 2021
Finished the old paperwork for the college and sent it via email. Well, half of it. The rest is hard copy to be delivered by hand. I got a bit more prepared for the first session next week. Including a bit of National Poetry Day stuff. I got a couple of hours out on the Sonder bike and was surprised that the trails were fairly dry after yesterday’s torrential downpour. But I was rather tired and didn’t do so well. Got offered a good writing facilitation job but too far from home. Watched a few Katie Kookaburra bike vids and one about getting over trail obstacles. I really need a bash guard for the new bike. I’m watching VIGIL tonight. Didn’t think it would be my thing – a murder on a nuclear submarine but I’m enjoying it. Going to watch the final two episodes. I hope it has a decent ending. 11.06pm.
Thursday 30th September 2021
Spoke to Sean at Bits 4 Bikes on the phone about a bash guard and adapter for Sonder Frontier. He can't supply so I ordered them online. Then got an email saying the adapter won't be available until end of October. I didn't go to Consett coz it was chucking it down. Watched a couple of Ken Loach documentaries. No idea what will happen when I go to meet him tomorrow. Jenni got in touch to say she has switched jobs. I wish I could get them as frequently as she does. I had chilli and rice for tea. Listened to tracks by British black metal band Fen. And a 30-min interview. Didn't do any anthology work but had a look at some of my own stuff for the next zine. I had a slow walk into Consett and nearly missed the bus coz it was an alternative route out of town. Very few people onboard. Jenni was out when I got to her place. I washed a few bits of crockery and cleared the laundry off the bed. An hour later, I got round to check my messages. Jen is over the road at Café Under the Spire with the entire household. I watched a bit of Vera. I'm going to bed soon. 11.05pm.
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