Sunday morning road / gravel ride on Bowman Pilgrims

I decided to go for a spin on the Bowman Pilgrims this morning to test out the fitting of some new full mudguards. I didn't want to go to far but wanted a good split of quiet roads and gravel lines so thought what better than to do the Durham Big Route. I don't start & finish at County Hall like the official route as I alter it for home to home. There was a massive head wind nearly all the way out to Delves Lane which made my tired legs even more tired. Once at the crossing on the road / old railway line the route turns left and down to Lanchester but I turned right to go up to the coal truck junction and back down to add a few extra miles on. The lines were quite quiet for a Sunday morning only passing a few fellow cyclists and dog walkers. The weather was cloudy with short spells of sun but it was dry and the overnight rain had not made the lines too muddy. 30miles covered and 2000+ft of climbing, as for the mudguards a full Fresh Goods Sunday report will follow in a few weeks time, hopefully might have some proper clamps/frame adaptors by then.

climb out of Sacriston, fairly steep

heading for the top, still uphill

at the top of the second climb today

on the way to Burnhope

past the wind mills

and heading for the mast

this was the steepest climb of today, not done it for a while

clay pigeon shooting at Hownsgill

turning point at the crossroads

farmers have been busy outside Langley Park

Tollhouse Farm junction

just Tollhouse & Whitesmocks climbs to go