Muddy Brown's Blog: Local Sunday morning ride on the Bowman Pilgrims

23 August 2015

Local Sunday morning ride on the Bowman Pilgrims

Well after the thunder and lighting storms last night the air has cleared a little. The rain didn't half come down causing localised flooding in some places. Forecast today is sunny and 22 degrees but also windy. I had planned on riding over to Alston but there was 45mph wind forecasted so decided to stop local instead. I enjoyed doing the Durham Big Ride (altered) route a while ago so dragged the Pilgrims out for a similar ride. I went off road to join onto the Sacriston road to pick the official route up, followed it all the way to the junction where you join the old line crosses at Delves Lane. At this point I turned right and headed up to the coal truck junction, right again and followed the line down to Birtley. Then right again to join the cycle lane from Birtley through Chester Le Street to pick up the cycle track alongside the A167 to Durham.
The weather was warm and dry but had a fair old head wind down from Consett to Birtley and some sections back along the A167 stretch, as normally is the case. Loads of bikers out today and loads of joggers, you would think the Great North Run was coming up or something! half of them looked like they were going to have a heart attack. I have only done the Great North Run once which was many years ago and didn't enjoy it, far too busy and commercialised, though I did it in around 1hr 37mins from memory! Keswick half marathon is much better and harder!! would need to loose at least 3 stone before I could get around that again.

Bowman Pilgrims - bike update. The bike is riding well now after sorting a few niggles / noises when I first built it. Its lovely and comfortable, not too harsh and has some kick when you give it some out of the saddle. One thing the frame does suffer from is poor heel clearance on the bottom chainstays, I have covered both side in Bike Shield protector. Also the clearance on the fork crown is not the best and no eyelets for mudguards either on the inside of the fork legs.
The Kinesis MKIII wheels have been spot on (touch wood) regarding spokes etc but had to tape over the rear rim strip as it kept moving and exposing the eyelets in the rim causing punctures.
The Ultegra Hydro/Di2 is fantastic after Westbrooks sorted out the software. The shifting is very fast and crisp, way better than any mechanical bikes I have ridden over the last 40 years. As for the brakes they work spot on but the levers have too much travel for me, I like "tighter" feeling action. I may get the manual back out and see if I can adjust this.
The Panaracer Gravel King tyres are also fantastic and would defo recommend them for along the old railway lines of Co Durham. They also roll well on tarmac and soak up some of the holes/bumps in the road. I run them - 80psi rear & 70psi front. The only downside is you have to brake earlier on loose gravel steep descents and they don't like silt mud puddles. Tbh you could run the narrower versions as winter road tyres, loads of grip and good value for money. Still too early to see how long they last but the rear is starting to shows of wear up the middle, the front is like new.
More soon and enjoy the photos -