iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

The camera angle probably makes it look narrower than it is; yes a % of the total space, but the footway is actually a decent size. Usually narrowed by people having to avoid cars parked in the cycleway.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Tbf no this is a purpose built, grade separated cycleway, laid in the 1930s; the footpath is just adjacent. It’s not been very well maintained; the other side has just been modernised (slightly). Agreed on the usability, and general lack of maintenance which reduces their effectiveness.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

"Why don't cyclists use the cycle lanes put in at great expense for them?"

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Yeah I was pleasantly surprised. Had no idea what to expect but it was lovely.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Thanks to the brilliant new Northumberland line, I then took a train from Newcastle to Newsham, and cycled south to Whitley Bay, rather than east along the coast Road cycleway (which is functional, but relentlessly noisy thanks to the dual carriageway it follows).

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Then it was home from Hartlepool to Newcastle via Northern Railway, with lovely views along the Durham coast.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Then a trip via the Marina to see the (rapidly decaying) Wingfield Castle, which not only shares a name with my in-laws, but it used to ferry them across the Humber in their courting days.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Riding around the Headland at Hartlepool was a little gem too, especially as it’s being repurposed from its primarily industrial past.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

I was grateful of the partial shade!

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

This was my first ride on the sections between Sunderland and Ryhope, Ryhope-Haswell and the Haswell to Hart cycleways. There are a LOT of A-frames and barriers which is frustrating, even for narrow handlebars like mine. But the route is otherwise fantastic; mostly paved, off road and scenic.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

It never stops being fascinating that the ferry is officially part of the National Cycle Network. There were a few decent sized vessels on the Tyne too.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Yesterday was a great day for a nice long ride down to Hartlepool on #NCN1 via the Shields Ferry.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Did you even grow up in the 90s unless this comes out in the voice of Mrs Doubtfire?

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Reposted by Paul Marshall

Street Life in North Tyneside @ntstreetlife.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Due to construction of the new Seafront Cycleway, we're postponing our next Kidical Mass ride until the summer to celebrate the launch of the route. With construction work & diversions, we can't plan a safe route for the numbers that usually join us. Join our mailing list for updates: bit.ly/3YRJ5CY

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Haha yeah the Milan metro is generally mostly standing capacity.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

First time on the new M4 line on the Milan Metro; so much easier getting from Linate! #milan #milanmetro #meilanmetrom4

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Apparently Dutch is just English but without the spaces! #amsterdam

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

RIP Kindle. 14 years of loyal service, hundreds of books consumed. A faithful travel partner. Known longer than my fiance 😂😂📚

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Reposted by Paul Marshall

North Tyne Cycle Social @nthtynecyclesoc.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Back by popular demand! Join us this Friday, 28th March, 6:30pm at Spanish City Plaza for a leisurely ride to Tynemouth and back for drinks. IMPORTANT: There is a short section on-road to bypass the ongoing works on the cycleway. Sunset is at 6:34 so lights are essential.

Spanish City, Whitley Bay, taken at night from the Plaza. The right half of the building is in shot.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

This has been a really interesting read; not my usual genre but an eye opener to some aspects of Japanese culture. #butter #asakoyuzuki #goodreads #booksky

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I wonder how the 28 people who were vocally opposed to this scheme, on the basis they quite like where they can currently park their cars, might feel knowing that a child has been knocked off his bike where there could’ve been a safer alternative?

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Currently steeping and washing eleventy thousand old bottles and jars #weddingprep

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Reposted by Paul Marshall

Street Life in North Tyneside @ntstreetlife.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

In a new blog, we suggest North Tyneside Council gave up on the Preston Rd, North Shields cycle path on the basis of 28 consultation responses which they say they could not reconcile with design issues, on which they sought no further expert design advice: streetlifentyneside.org.uk/2025/02/19/m...

streetlifentyneside.org.uk

More on the Preston Road cycle path plans – North Tyneside Council’s FOI response – Street Life North Tyneside

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

And also where people can more easily join and leave the route - ie to access the side streets along the road. Unfortunately, much of the route has been considered as ‘end to end leisure’ rather than a practical utility for residents.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Yes, with a 17% gradient 😬🫣

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Yeah, which as a daytime leisure route is fine, but for utility it’s going to be a white elephant. Even if you feel safe using it, you’d need extra-human eyesight to even find the path! Apparently; lighting would’ve spoiled the area! 🙄

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

This is my trying to use the first section of it at 6:25pm on 31/1. At the end I had to stop as I had no idea where I was!

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Unchanged. The official route will head slightly east and pick up the new path which will run over the Rendezvous roof and down to Spanish City. Unfortunately, that part of the route is entirely unusable in the dark as it’s totally unlit. So many will continue on the road as per now.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Hope you had a good night! I was on my way back from London but hopefully I’ll make it along again soon.

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Excited to give this a wee spin tonight!

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Reposted by Paul Marshall

Street Life in North Tyneside @ntstreetlife.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Our first social ride of 2025 is this Friday! 🗓️ Friday 31st January ⏰ 18:30 ride 📍 Spanish City plaza > Tynemouth > Whitley Bay via NCN1 🍻 Drinks location tbc by popular demand! 💡 Remember bike lights! We're a friendly bunch, and it's a slow, socially-paced ride so please do pop along! Pls share!

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Paul Marshall @paulm844.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Excited to start trying to read my first @ljross.bsky.social novel in French. Christ knows how long it’ll take, but I’ve read the English version so figured it was a decent place to start. #languagelearning #reading #french #ljross