Ian's Splitting & Cracking ride @ the 3 Peaks CX

This is Ian just before incident no2. It was Ians 9th 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross and with some training and better weather this year he was flying. The wind on the tops made it very interesting riding just trying to keep on the bike. He had less cramp which is one of the major problems on the third hump and forgot his gels but completed in 4.47.25.
If you have a look at the photo to the right he is not riding his new Scott CX Carbon Addict because it developed a crack during training just before the event. Good news Westbrook Cycles have sorted him out a new replacement frame now. Problem no2 was the tight arse had run his rims to the limit of wear and the front one split. A lovely lady loaned Ian a replacement wheel so he could complete the Peaks. So all in it was an expensive outing but defo one to remember.

  

The World of Fat 2014 Bling has started

2014 is going to FAT MASSIVE, its going to be mental with new gear getting designed and tested for the masses (if you can afford it!) here are some photos of some recent Trade Shows. It will not long before the first Carbon Fat Bikes hit the UK shores. Im not saying anymore but technology and new designs are appearing every week from designers/manufacturers. Hopefully there will be a greater choice and more stock available in the UK for its riders. Dont think it will be long before On One have a set of carbon forks on the market then followed by a frame !


I think this is a lovely looking bike, not sure if its coming to the UK market

oh yes this is the one, check out the sample rims, mega bucks

I just love a nice TI, not many of them about

Wonder if there is going to be a frame to match the forks ?

Time to work hard, play hard

Winterisation of road bikes

Yes its that time of year again and time to start getting the bikes ready for the cold, dark and dirt/grime. I have an old Litespeed which is converted for winter riding which stays the same spec all year but after dragging it out of the cave it was time for some new rubber. I fitted some Conti GP 4 Season 23c tyres on it back in July 2010. Since then I havent swapped them from to back or even had them off the rims. The rear was getting flat in the middle but the front still had a small ridge of rubber. The only problem i found was they were a small section tyre and with the amount of pot holes it was time to up date to the 25c version. Shop around and there are some cracking deals on them at the mo. The new ones have exactley the same tread pattern just alittle wider and i mean alittle. I fitted them to the rims, pumped them up and could hardly notice any difference in width to the 23c's. Since then they have done approx half a dozen rides and are scuffing in nicely with no problems.
Now on to the mud guards these are full guards and remain on the bike 12 months of the year. I normally get the SKS models but Westbrook Cycles recommended Tortec which were cheaper to purchase. The section of the guard etc is the same as the SKS inc fittings etc. I had some tweaking to do for the front mech but apart from that no problems. In use they are very ridgid and i get very little tyre rub even with the 25c tyres on. In the wet you get very little spary and do a very good job of keeping your rear dry on a stinker of a day. They come in silver and black option inc reflective side strips, more info here they also come without the reflective strips if you want to save a fiver.

Onto the boys Caad10, now this is a different kettle of fish. He uses this bike on and off all year and he dosent have a seperate winter road bike. With this beig a full on race bike tolerances are tight and you can only fit a couple of designs of mudguards. I used to use the Crudracer Mk1's but they dropped to pieces after a year or so and didnt give much protection but it was better than none. The MK2's came out so time to give them a try. They offer alot better protection but are still very flexy and fragile. They take a long time to set up on the bike and need adjusting after the first two or three rides after they settle in. With them being very flexi they do suffer alot of rim/tyre rub at times. One trick we have learnt is to glue the plastic nuts/bolts together as they are always coming apart and you can easily over tighten them. We will see how they last over the winter. Angus took his Michy Pro Race's off and got the my old Conti 4 seasons, swapping the back to the front and vice versa. Still plenty of miles left in them.   
Blog to follow on the Winterisation of the Fat / Offroad bike fleet and yesterday adventure on the Super X.

The old 23c version

The new 25c version

Front MK2 Crudracer

Just starting to run flat in the middle, they are wearing very well or should that be slowly

Rear MK2 with longer extensions on both ends of the guard

My Brooks is still going strong on my winter bike and is super comfy, will probably last longer than me !

Outskirts of Durham on the Fat Bikes

Not many rides in this week due to workload, so decided to have a chill out ride this morning with kids looping around Durhams out skirts then call in past the City Centre on the way home. The forecast was fantastic but the sun never came out and was overcast & chilly. The tracks are starting to get muddy now and puddles after yesterdays storms. We covered 24 miles and nearly 1500ft climbing but was steady away riding. Below is a gallery of some photos of the ride. The camera battery was flat and is it was not playing ball, apologies.

Farmer has just left enough to ride along

Ploding along the lines

Just rode up this !

Following the boyos

Angus having another practice lap from Wednesday night

Time for a quick break under the tree

Head for the middle arch boys

Waiting for the electric gates to open

Found these en route

Four of them stacked up

Wonder what the cow looking over the gate was thinking?

Also come across another bike

Very bright front wheel

No ice cream today

Dont you just love the local kids sense of humour



CX Spotive & Etape Pennines This Weekend

This is a new Cyclo Cross Event for the North, Sunday 6th October and looks like a right good hard route as well. There are two different distances / routes on the day, Massif 62 miles and Min Massif 44 miles - both leaving from the beautiful town of Keswick. Full information on the event is here and on line entry is here from a very reasonable £25. The route map is below as well.
Also this Sunday is the BIGGEST Cycling Event taking place in Co Durham Etape Pennines. There will be loads of local roads closed for the event and starts / finishes in Barnard Castle this year. Full info here and full route map here

One Peak Results & Photos - 3 Peaks Riders Good Luck

Well thats the One Peak of Hetton / Neccl RD2 done and dusted. What a cracking day with fantastic weather conditions for the event. The results are done and you can find them here and the photos will be uploaded into the gallery here with more added by Ian Dunn over the next few days, well after he has recovered from the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross tomorrow. On that note good luck to all the NE riders who are brave enough to tackle the beast. The weather is going to be better than last years flooding so quick times should be on the cards if the wind keeps away .
All the best MBE  

One Peak is ready @ Three Peaks Cyclo Cross this Sunday

The One Peak of Hetton 2013 is ready. Course inspection is done and everything is looking good. Ground conditions are excellent with the course flowing/riding very fast. Weather forecast is excellent. Prizes are all sorted. Sign on will be open from 11.15am in the morning. Plenty free carparking so get yourself along for a cracking days racing @ Hetton Lyons Country Park. Below is few photos of the views from the top of the One Peak.  

A full set of Results and Photo gallery will be uploaded asap on here on the Saturday afternoon / evening.

On Sunday 29th is the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross. Is is always an excellent event to go and watch / support the NE riders. Full info is here
Also the Wiggle Hell of Hexham Sportive is also on Sunday with three different courses and entry on the day as well, some cracking routes with proper hills in as well. Full info here .
Also the 'Ride for Michael Bonney Sportive' from over in Penrith is also on Sunday. Entries close Midnight tonight. Full info here its for a great charity.

MBE ONE PEAK Details

MBE One Peak of Hetton / NECCL RD2

Saturday 28th September 2013 @ Hetton Lyons Country Park, Hetton Le Hole.

U12/10/8 12.00 Midday £1 15mins
U14/16 12.30pm £3 30mins
Sen/Vet/Lady/Jun 1.30pm £7 mem / £12 non mem 50-60min

The prize list is opposite. After the main race if you can drop your numbers in the box there will be a prize draw for all the riders who havent already won a prize.

There will also be loads of goodies for all the kids.

As per normal free cake and refreshments after the main race as well.

Course details are here this is provisional and may be altered on the day to take into account weather / ground conditions. The course is 100% rideable and very fast flowing. The climbs are gentle and no run up's.  
The event is open to all ages and abilities from complete noive to experts. You can race on any suitable offroad bike inc mountain bikes. Registration is on the day so turn up early and allow enough time to get your bike sorted, signed on and a practice lap in. If you have the right money it would be a great help.
All the best MBE