For several years leading up to my retirement I had this ambition on my mind, I would cycle the “Hadrian Cycleway” from Ravenglass to South Shields Roman Fort (Arbeia).
My early career as a driver was spent on multi deliveries “ower west” so I really knew the area well, and loved it. Coincidently after I retired for the first time in 2012 
I was offered a job with Tyneside Express which involved a lot of work in ■■■■■■■■ So really my career was very much influenced by the area. Anyway to get back to the point, I’ve done it!
I set off on Tuesday courtesy of T/Exp. with a lift to Workington, ( driven by my great friend Big Kris). I took the train to Ravenglass and spent three days cycling back via,
Silloth (overnight Tuesday), the Solway coast to Gilsland ( Wednesday overnight), then today to South Shields (Arbeia). I met some tough weather yesterday and today, also some tough
hillclimbs 
but i’ve done it I will post a few shots of the ride shortly. ( When i’ve recovered from the seat castration) Anyone else thought of
anything as silly to do with their time? 
Regards Kev. Ps I’ve got something else in mind now but I need to think about it very carefully as it involves a phobia I have. 
PPS 176 miles.
kevmac47:
For several years leading up to my retirement I had this ambition on my mind, I would cycle the “Hadrian Cycleway” from Ravenglass to South Shields Roman Fort (Arbeia).
My early career as a driver was spent on multi deliveries “ower west” so I really knew the area well, and loved it. Coincidently after I retired for the first time in 2012
I set off on Tuesday courtesy of T/Exp. with a lift to Workington, ( driven by my great friend Big Kris). I took the train to Ravenglass and spent three days cycling back via,
Silloth (overnight Tuesday), the Solway coast to Gilsland ( Wednesday overnight), then today to South Shields (Arbeia). I met some tough weather yesterday and today, also some tough
hillclimbs
anything as silly to do with their time?
PPS 176 miles.
Well done Kev, Regards Larry.
Well done mate looking forward to pics
Fair play to ya, fella!
I’m just glad I didn’t think of anything so daft when I retired. 
Retired Old ■■■■:
Fair play to ya, fella!
I’m just glad I didn’t think of anything so daft when I retired.
Thanks ROF.youve restored my faith in my own stupidity. Regards Kev.
Any time you need a hand with that I’ve got plenty to spare.
Well done that man, takes a lot of bottle for a fella who is well stricken with years like wot you are, (old bugga) to tackle something like that
But please, tell us what you are THINKING of doing next so we can assemble our minds and thoughts and advise you. 
grumpy old man:
Well done that man, takes a lot of bottle for a fella who is well stricken with years like wot you are, (old bugga) to tackle something like that
But please, tell us what you are THINKING of doing next so we can assemble our minds and thoughts and advise you.
Thanks G.O.M. What I am thinking of doing next is learning to swim, pretty mundane I know, but I have a morbid fear of being in water, (i’m sure this will generate some comments on the smell from my so called friends, ). Strangely my sister has the same problem, we were split up for a few years as kids so there’s no influence from either one of us. This only came to light many years later in conversation. Regards Kev.
Well done Kev hope the shimano gearbox and 2-speed back axle was ok and the brakes must
be better than the Merc 1418 brakes, but 2 nigths out the TM WILL DOCK you one of them
Padddddddeeeeedddeeddd Bibshorts rule eh Kevin 
kevmac47:
grumpy old man:
Well done that man, takes a lot of bottle for a fella who is well stricken with years like wot you are, (old bugga) to tackle something like that
But please, tell us what you are THINKING of doing next so we can assemble our minds and thoughts and advise you.Thanks G.O.M. What I am thinking of doing next is learning to swim, pretty mundane I know, but I have a morbid fear of being in water, (i’m sure this will generate some comments on the smell from my so called friends,
Go for it and I hope you suceed. I’ve no fear of water but to my shame…I can’t swim. And here’s a very strict parent who INSISTED his children could swim. They never let me forget it. A 3 year old granddaughter visited yesterday…“we’ve been swimming granddad” 
Its ■■■■■■■ job tha wants Kev if youve got time to go on bike rides
But fair play to ya its giving me a sore arse thinking about it.
Andy
Well done Kevin.I did a similar thing last year.Caught the train from Carlisle down to Ravensglass what a nice trip that was.
But then I cheated our coach picked us up later and took us back to Gilsland Spa I was “Knackered”.A three day trip on a bike,brill,project complete.
Looking forward to the pic’s. Mike.
well done young man, for you next ride out how’s about this one you may need an oxygen mask by the time you get to the top, but the veiw is worth it, ask big kris he may want to join you, bumper
Well done yourself Kev, nothing but admiration for your determination. The previous pics of the Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) by bumper and topping out at 2050+ feet might be a challenge too far, that’s a mebbe
My ambition when I retired was just to go on living, but I have to say life seemed to get busier, or is that just age trying to cope with normal. 1993 saw me making arrangements for a bit o’ coal shovelling with deil himsael, but excellent NHS attention diverted my path, haven’t looked back and every new day is a bonus. So all power to your limbs and you know what, having completed your bike marathon, what price the psychological boost you get, the feelgood factor that no chemist can ever produce.
Good Health to all you retirees out there.
Cheers
Oily
Nice one Kev. No mean feat for an OAP to ride an arduous trip like that. Like yourself I never learnt to swim. Good luck if you decide to do it.
Cheers Dave.
Thanks lads. I don’t think I’ll take you up on the pass of the cattle Jim, I need oxygen just looking at the photos!!! Even with Kris pushing I think that a challenge too far . As for the 1418 Brian, I climbed up onto the Military Road quicker on my bike than that pill ever did the hydraulic disc brakes are better, and no lock bracket in the diff to worry about snapping. 
Well done Kev, I loved long distance cycling when in my teens but I’m afraid the three bikes we still have in the garage will not see my backside again!! Funny really, a friend of mine retired early and nursed his wife for a few years until her Death and was then at a loose end. He was in his early sixties and had never been abroad so he decided to fly to Mexico and cycle across it! Quite a feat, he then did a lot of touring/camping around Britain on it until his health told him it was time to stop. Life doesn’t stop at Retirement, it can be the catalyst for a whole new lifestyle if you put your mind to it and we all know men who have retired and then just simply died through boredom! Sad really, such a waste of life. Like others on here I cannot swim, scared of water since I was a kid and have trouble watching a river flow from a bridge.
Look forward to your next adventure.
Pete.
Now howa Kev **NO PHOTOS** :laughing: :laughing: it didnt happen or a Doctors note for the recovery 
and its no good sayin Kris will back you up as porky pies spring to mind, we require evidence m-lord. -
Well done fella. That’s a great achievement.
As for swimming. The lovely Mrs TT is just learning now.
My retirement ambition
Lager
Oral ■■■
Repeat
8LXBV8BRIAN:
Now howa Kev **NO PHOTOS** :laughing: :laughing: it didnt happen or a Doctors note for the recovery
and its no good sayin Kris
This is not like the mythical Big J fitted with a 240 Gardner Brian. I will post the pictures shortly,
Ive been busy this last couple of days, us OAP’s have a lot to fit into our days, I don’t know how
I found the time to work all those years. Regards Kev.