Steel is real - first ride out on the new Eastway ST1.0

Today the rain finally stopped and the sun came out so i took my new Eastway ST1.0 out for a ride. I decided to get a new steel bike with normal gears this time and the Eastway fitted the bill with Sram Apex- compact front & 11-32 rear. The other advantage was there is enough clearance in the frame / forks for my Schwalbe Marathon Extreme tyres that i use all year around. The third advantage was Start Cycles are selling off all there remaining stock of Eastway models. There was 30% off then another 10% if you use the code CYCLES10 in the basket. The bike was fully set up and delivery is free as well, excellent service from them.
I swaped a few parts from my own stock and its rides like a dream. I did a 17 mile loop of mixed terrain from back tarmac roads, offroad railway lines to some singletrack. The only thing to sort is the front mudguard which is too short and the bottom of the down tube / bb area gets alot of spray. A longer guard or a mud flap will sort this out. The rear one is better but they dont have the reflective strip in or a rear refelctor. I might swap them for some Tortec guards which i have on another bike and are spot on. After a few more rides i will post up a report on the bike. 

Wet, muddy, cold, windy, thorny but enjoyable ride

Last day of the school hols for some inc Arran so we decided to go for a ride after I had been for a check up. The forecast was mixed so it was ok between the heavy showers & strong wind! With last nights storms most of the tracks had massive puddles and plenty deep mud. Not to mention the farmers have been splatting more hawthorn hedges and yes i got a puncture, how it was only one i will never know. Great 16miler ride to end the Crimbo holidays. Below are some photos of the local ride

Fresh Goods Sunday - Mavic Inferno Socks

I only have one pair of good winter socks so decided it was time for a second pair. I normaly buy the X-Socks Winter version from here for £4.50 with 10% discount code but was planning a change. My plan was to get a pair of Endura baa baa merino winter socks but Westys had sold out but they recommended the Mavic inferno winter socks instead. I have never used Mavic clothing before, just their wheeels which i used for many thousands of miles, only one split rim many years ago. If you look closer at the material it has "Copper Fiber" strands in. I have never seen copper fibre used in clothing before. The fit is excellent and very comfortable on the foot. Mavic's blurb -  "Excellent moisture management and thermo benefit thanks to new copper fiber which reflects significant amount of heat radiation". I have used them twice so far, once with the Wolvhammer boot in minus 2degrees and no cold feet what so ever - as you would have expected. The second time just above freezing on a wet & muddy mtb ride with Northwave Artic boots, again no problems. I will keep testing them over the remaining winter months and see how they fair up.  

Fat Bike's outing to a rather damp Kielder

Its been a few years since we have been to Kielder. We used to go every year for a short break and get some trails ridden. You cannot go in the summer months unless you want to get bitten alive by the killer midge. We set off just after 7am as the forecast was dry until 1pm but the further North we travelled the rain was getting heavier. By the time we reached the dam end the waves were lashing over the wall and onto the road, not a good sign! We parked up at the top end of res near the Castle. First route was the Red Lonesome Pine trail. We have done this several times before and knew what to expect. The singletrack is still very rough going and the forset fire road climbs still as hard as ever. By the time we got to the top of the board walk you could hardly stand up for the wind but the rain eased for a while for the downhill. Back to the village to get some bacon to make up some butties. After a refuel it was onto the Blue Osprey Trail, we have done this one a couple of times. Its a hard climb on the forest drive to get onto the first singletrack which is fast flowing on the first half. The forest drive then the fire road climbs before you get onto the next singletrack are very long and boring but good training. In the eyes the blue is harder than the red, its longer and more feet to climb. The last section of singletrack is very good before to come out onto the Lakeside way trail back to the village. Time to call it a day, got changed into dry clothes and get the chicken soup on the boil. On the way back we called in past Leaplesh for a swim and sauna to warm / relax our cold and aching bones. By the time we got back in it was dark again. Great day out and some tough training miles in. Below are some photos from the days action  

Now then, which way to go?

XX1 already for blast off

The start of the Lonesome Pine trail from the Lakeside Way

Poor light conditions in the woods

First of many fallen trees blocking the trails

Climbing in the rain, it should be snow at this time of year

Finally onto the boardwalk, rather slippery today!

At the very top, very windy & cold, didnt stop long to check out the views

Down we go, very slowly as well, in the dry we fly down here

Bacon buttie time

Then onto the Osprey Blue trail

Front tyre wiped out on the soft verge, 8m front end wipeout into the ditch!

back on and away again

Chicken soup time

Not many people on the water today

New Years Day Road Ride to the Toon & back

We normally do a road ride to the Toon on New Years Day so today we did exactly that. Set off early and it was freezing cold with ice in places but we had a tail wind on the way up. We always call in past the Angel en route for a spin around his feet before reaching the Toon. We dropped down to swing bridge, crossed over and along the quayside to the millenium bridge. Time for a few quick snaps then crossed over to the Baltic before heading back home. As we thought there was a strong headwind most of the eay home but head down and spun away. Hopefully that will have burnt off some of the massive Chinese takeaway we had a New Years Eve!