The forecast was for 40+mph gusts of wind and heavy rain showers so we decided to keep it local and try and keep to sheltered trails out of the wind. Angus took the Krampgrease, he decided not to swap onto 26+" wheels and I was on my Beargrease 26+. It was overcast and very windy when we left then within 5 mins of leaving there was a heavy rain shower but there was a beautiful rainbow at the same time. The route was over to Whitesmocks the back way through the Carrs / New College, then the bridleway to Baxters Woods for some mud fun single track. Out onto the Ushaw Moor to Stonebridge hill. Now the sun was shinning and was a lovely day in the sheltered sections out of the wind. From here there was a short road section to the old Mount Oswald golf course then over the road down through the woods past the crem then into Houghall woods for some more singlet rack fun. Angus decided to do the downhill track and I kept to the high level track. We met up at the top of the bigger dipper before dropping down to Maiden Castle woods. Out at the boot house for a lap up to the Rose Tree at Shincliffe then around the rugby club to come out at the old race course. A loop around the riverside before heading home via the Frankland cycle track with an extra loop in to the prison then back via the sands. Called in past my old ma to see of she was ok whilst Angus raided her cupboard for ket and drink! all in 15 enjoyable miles. Well I say enjoyable that was until we were on the single track lane road past the sewage works where we had two joggers in front and a car coming head on. We slowed down and pulled over to the left so the car could pass but the joggers decided to split and run either side of the road with the car just squeezing through. Once the car had gone we had caught up with the joggers who were still running at both sides of the road leaving a gap in the middle, we both rang our bells several times and the one on the right moved over slightly but the one on the left did not do anything. The gap was big enough to pass through the middle so we gave them another few rings and he never moved again so I went through slowly leaving plenty of room then Angus. I heard the runner on the left shout out " buy a bell" I replied "I have got a bell" so he said "why did you not use it"! at this point I would normally just ride off and forget about it but he was shouting more abuse at me so that was it. I stopped the bike and gave him full bore but it was my fault he could not hear our bells, my fault the elderly gentleman was hard of hearing. At this point I could have wrapped by bike around his neck but gave up and rode off with him still shouting. We passed / met loads of other local walkers, cyclists, kids dogs etc during our ride and most saying good morning, nice day, we thank them for moving over etc but there has always got to be one gggrrr.
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| very faint rainbow in the distance, camera did not pick it up very well |
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| strange place to put your lawnmower |
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| er no more, golf course closed for more housing and business units that Durham does not need |
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| Angus away down the downhill course |
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| massive bomb hole |
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| this is why I stopped on the top track |
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| yes he rolled off the bike twice on the downhill course |
Once back home, wash & food then a trip down to Durham for a walk around the opposite side of the river banks from the ride and a look around the shops. I bought the below - more on this soon
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| New cycle route! |
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| and a new sleeping bag |
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