30 September 2023

A longer circular route on the lines inc Pontop Pike Transmitter again

 


Well I was up an out early doors for a longer circular loop. We had some overnight rain so the roads were damp on the way out down to Chester Le Street / Birtley on the cycle track. I picked up the C2C old railway line at the bridge where there is a new seat and two sculptures. It is a long and steady climb all the way up to Hownsgill viaduct but I was mainly sheltered from the wind. At Annfield Plain I decided to turn right onto the road at Tesco and head over to Catchgate then Harelaw and up the last climb to Pontop Pike transmitter. By now daylight had come through and it was brightening up. From there it is a very fast decent then over the busy road to turn right and back onto the C2C. At Consett the sun came out and it was now a beautiful morning. It feels like ages since I have had any cycling in some nice sun and it was a real uplift. Once at Hownsgill I decided to keep on going all the way up the new tarmac section to Whitehall carpark where I turned and headed back down to the crossroads junction. I turned right and took the old railway line all the way back down to Baxsters Farm. There was not many others out so had some really lovely long stretches of no slowing down / speeding back up. All in 40 miles on the nose with 1600ft of climbing in 2hrs 53mins. 
You may have noticed in the photos below I have swapped over my wheelset last night and creo is now back on the 700c's. I was totally flying with them on with the tyres aired right up. 
Update on the front Lezyne light- I put it on charge overnight and the green led finally went solid so the battery was full and I have every light mode again. I have ordered a new one so I will keep it for a spare. Also the Garmin heart rate monitor strap has decided to work on todays ride. Not sure what is going on but I have ordered a new one so have a spare when this one finally packs in. 
I have emailed Restrap about the foam packers but not had a reply yet, so wait and see on that one. Oh I have found my spare camera battery charger so slung the broken one. 
Enjoy the snaps below and hopefully more soon- 








































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