Out n back along the old railway to Bishop Auckland on the Spec Creo 2 Gravel bike

 

No spar time yesterday so I was back out again today for a short spin up and down the old railway line to Bishop n back. The lines are back to damp with puddles again but not too bad. The weather was a good old mixed back from overcast, cloudy, sunny spells, windy and it was hot and cold. There was quite a few others out but not too busy. I took the Creo 2 gravel bike and had no problems what so ever. Everything on the bike now has settled in and is working a treat. Below are a few snaps from out n back ride. They have the market place and near by roads closed ta Bishop for the Food Festival this weekend. We are going tomorrow for some goodies! Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

A very windy and cold but sunny ride down to Durham and Maiden Castle - Trek Marlin+ emtb

After a busy weekend I opted to go for a jog on Monday as the forecast was not looking too good but it turned out dry and sunny. The only problem was I had 40mph gusting winds and it felt freezing cold. My last run was on 8th Oct 2023 and have not done any form of running since. This was going to be killer and it was. I set away and was mainly downhill with a headwind. After 2.5k I turned and headed back up hill with a tailwind. My legs and lungs were on fire but got to start somewhere again. finished the 5k in 38.44mins! I need to break in my new trainers and get back on it again. 

Yesterday was a rest day and this morning I was starting work later so took the Trek Marlin+ emtb out for a spin down to Durham, Maiden Castle, The Trod, The Sands and back home to try and loosen my legs up. It was early doors and Durham was lovely and quiet with very few people out n about. It was lovely and sunny but windy again. The Garmin just managed to get over 2 degrees on the way home! The wind must be drying out the trails as the puddles have mainly gone and the top is drier in places. I did not venture through Houghall woods though. All in 15 miles in 1hr 13 mins with 750ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Shimano Dur Ace RT-CL900 Centre Lock Disc Brake Rotor ICE TECHNOLOGIES FREEZA 160mm

 

I have used Shimano disc rotors on nearly all my road, gravel and mtb bikes for years and they have been spot on. I tend not to keep cheaper models on the bike if they come fitted as standard and use Ultegra / Dura Ace on my road and gravel bikes and XT / XTR on my mountain bikes. 

With me have so many wheelsets for numerous different bikes I have a few versions of the same rotor over the years and to be honest I cannot feel any real difference between them all. As you will see in the photos below I have three different versions now of the Dura Ace rotor all in the same size 160mm. 

These newer model RT-CLR900 ones have gone on to my DT Swiss road wheel set on my Creo 1 road bike. They are true from the box and I just give them a quick clean with disc brake cleaner and they are ready to go. Yes they take a few rides to scrub in but the perform is excellent in my Ultegra brakes with SWISS STOP Exo Therm pads.  I have no issues with them in the wet and cold weather and I cannot fault them on the performance side of things. They last me for years and years with very little signs of wear. 

As ever and especially now with Shimano prices dropping like hot potatoes shop around for a cracking deal. The Ultegra version is same just a silver insert colour instead of black. 

RRP £64.99  and I paid £40.99 from Wolf Cycles inc 48hr p&p. Discount 37% 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Quieter control for any terrain

With a focus on decreasing disc brake rotor heat deformation, the result of the new disc brake rotor is quieter than ever brake performance without sacrificing weight or heat dissipation.

FEATURES

Quieter than ever, but with superb, consistent braking performance on any long, steep descents thanks to excellent heat dissipation
The new arm shape is more robust, leading to quieter operation
Heat dissipation paint boosts performance
Disc brake rotor size: 140 mm, 160 mm, 180 mm, 203 mm

MODEL NO	RT-CL900
SERIES	DURA-ACE R9200 Series
Average weight	97 (140 mm), 114 (160 mm), 139 (180 mm), 169 (203 mm)
CENTER LOCK	✔

ICE TECHNOLOGIES	✔
ICE TECHNOLOGIES FREEZA	✔
ICE TECHNOLOGIES FREEZA w/ heat dissipation paint	✔
Outside diameter (mm)|203	X (NEW)
Outside diameter (mm)|180	X (NEW)
Outside diameter (mm)|160	✔
Outside diameter (mm)|140	✔
Pad lining shape compatibility|Narrow

These are on my Creo 1 gravel now 

These are on my Creo 2 Gravel now 

And these are on my Creo 1 Road now 

Going back alot of years - Lumley Time Trial Circuit Practice and a local road ride - Fresh Goodies Cycling Plus Magazine

 

After nearly a full day out yesterday to Hexham and calling in past Ride Electric at Cosnett as they had a demo day on for Advanced Bikes I was feeling tired. Woke up this morning dog rough and tired. I managed too force myself out on my Creo 1 road bike. I had a road ride planned but could not be arsed so had a ride over to other side of Finchale Abbey steps and was on the old Lumely TT loop. I thought I would do a warm up lap followed by two faster laps. I set away and after half a lap I was started pushing alittle harder. First lap in 16min 22seconds then it was onto a full gas loop and hoped to get the time down to nearer the 15min mark. Well after nearly blowing my lungs up I crossed the line in 15mins 22 seconds. There was no way I could have done another full gas loop so did half a cool down lap before heading over to West Rainton meadows / Hetton for a loop. After that I calmed down and was back into the swing of my normal riding speed / effort. I dropped down to Chester LE Street and had plans of heading up to Waldridge but the headwind was killing me off. I turned left and come along the A167 cycle track to home. All in just over 30 miles in 1hr 53mins with 1400ft of climbing, ave 15.9mph. Below are a couple of snaps from the ride and the route map. Enjoy and hopefully more soon - 

No fresh goodies this week apart from a copy of Cycling Plus Magazine June edt from WH Smiths at Hexham. It has a cracking article / ride / route around Teesdale & Weardale taking in some massive climbs.