Cultureshock

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Video transcript

The Boys Brigade was started 125 years ago by William Alexander Smith. There was a formal uniform and a strict dress code.  The Boys’ Brigade of today still holds the same values.  But this was to be a day of strictly non uniform.

We had planned a bike ride to mark the 125 years celebrations, we had worked it out to be approx 12.5 miles. Starting at Denewell Avenue Church and ending up at Tynemouth – Kristians Fish and Chip shop.

The weeks leading up to this event were a mixture of bike maintenance and road and cycle safety. All the lads were involved in cleaning, adjusting and maintaining their bikes with some expert guidance from the officers. Tyres wear inflated, helmets adjusted and brakes made to work.

The morning of the ride arrived. Everybody was eager to get started.  A kit check to see if everyone had their waterproofs and woolly hats followed by a quick photo shoot at the start.

And we were off!

It only seemed to take a short while to reach our 1st check point - the centre of the Millennium Bridge. It would be easy going from here!!

A few miles on Jonny developed a fatal mechanical fault on his “new” bike causing the pedal to fall off one side. Some urgent repairs and very strange riding techniques followed , it was no good, Jonny and his bike were set for the sidelines!

The rest of the group cracked on to reach Segedunum Roman fort and the Swan Hunters shipyard that lay eerily quiet. The riding was easy skirting the side of the Tyne exploring trails that until now most of us were unaware of.The sun was starting to make an appearance and getting us nicely warmed as we rode through North Tyneside.

Our goal was in site, there were the signs for the Fish Quay, not far now. Stopping at the Fish Shop resembled a Tour De France disaster, bikes strewn everywhere and in a mangled heap. 12 fish and chips please, ….’Sorry how many?’…..12 please, it’s for the BB. Order filled and a hop round the corner to the beach for everyone to enjoy our prized catch.

Scoffing that lot down didn’t take long and pretty soon we were set for another round of saddle torture. The route back was to take in the old Leam Lane going under the Tyne in the Pedestrian Tunnel. How many bikes can you fit in a lift with 1 officer?  It was hot work and what was worse very few shops to refill our water bottles. A very kind local offered to refill our water bottles taking pity on the sweaty mess that stood on his doorstep. The long slog up to Wrekenton. 

Reaching the top we stopped and took stock of the days travel, a long but eventful journey. Who on earth told us to pack those waterproofs? But thankfully we were not in full uniform.