Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from MBE

2014 has flew over and we are starting to make plans for 2015 - holidays, cycling events etc. The weather on the whole hasent been too bad for cycling but taking over 2 months out to transform my sisters house and then going in for surgery has knocked my mileage down this year. Our easter and some of our summer hols in Peebles were a wash out and our Lakes break in Oct was also a wash out, Lakes in Feb was also not the best with very mixed weather but our break in Berwick was drier but very windy cold! The miles i have done in general have been very enjoyable miles. The purchase / build of the Krampgrease has been a highlight and is probably the most enjoyable/comfortable bike i currently own. Hopefully the 29"+ will be on a few more longer epic rides in 2015. Also planning a few more road rides up in Weardale, North Yorkshire, Lakes and hopefully in the borders on my new Cannondale Nano build. 

The MBE Autumn Series had great turnouts each week and we were very busy over the week running upto the start, the four weeks of events then a week of aftermath clean up / paperwork etc. The six weeks were a killer and burnt me out but we were so pleased that everybody enjoyed the series and all the series finishers went away with some goodies. The only negative thing was the problem with the local youths, the first week they kept snapping the tapes, second week was better and they got bored after that. It was a shame as we put so much work into pre planning the courses and marking them out on the night. Springboard were not interested in moving them on as it was on Sunderland Council land, the police finally had a word with them but that was only after they had caused vandalism to trees. Not to worry its all part of the fun @ Hetton Lyons Country Park.  

Time allowing i will hopefully get a few rides in over the festive period but im at work for most of it. Hope you have all been good boys / girls this year and santa drops off some bike bling on the big day! failling that im sure the on line retailers will be trying to tease you out of your last pound with special offers etc.

Below are a few photos covering the years activities. All the best and enjoy.

First 50+ mile ride on the Krampgrease

One of our favourite spots on our night loop

Ride over The Stang

First ride on the Dale Nano

Was going to ride to Alston but ran out of steam - blowing a gale

Out on one of out evening rides in the summer

first snow a couple of weeks ago

minus -6 degrees a week ago now its 12 degrees all night and all day

A damp ride down to Metro Centre direction on the Eastway

First big ride on my new Nano over Crawleyside 

What you looking at

Tandem ride with Arran - its hard work!

Family to from South Shields to Rocker & back

Time for wheelie practice on the beach

Did not use the Dale Super X much this year, too busy on the fat bikes

Night rides with the Lupine lights

Trip out to Hamsterley Forest

this is what i live for, singletrack over the moors

trying the 5" bud out on the front

A cold & windy ride along the Cinder Track Whitby at the start of the year

Refreshment stop @ Knitsley Farm Shop / Cafe

Ice cream stop in Durham times by loads !

Family ride along the Cinder track but in warmer and less windy conditions this time

cracking clear views over Robin Hoods Bay etc

Weight in time with the new hope/rabbot hole wheels

Ride from Berwick to Holy Island - again overcast, windy & cold

Hamsterley Forest back in Feb

Summer Hols - first time for Arran on the red @ inners

no probs

brotherley love

Damp ride on Glentress red

call in past our fav butchers on the way back to static

Jane completed her 100th PArk Run - well done love

MTB Marathon - complete was out

and we are back & soaked to the bone

collect our t shirts and time for a change into dry clothes

called in past 7 staines Newcastleton on the way home - hottest ride of the hols

One last icecream - only sunny day we had

Trip upto Kielder early in the year to try out the Salsa Carbon Beargrease

and yes it was wet & windy!

Whinlatter - Feb school hol week

just got back from the North Face red route and it stopped raining - typical

Nutcracker XC racing time

Easter Hols - Glentress and still raining

did not stop me from getting big air time

First time Arran has done the full red route

Oct Hols - Kirkstone Pass - complete wash out - no riding

Arran enjoying his offroad fun on his mukluk

Eastway enjoying some offroad terrain

Family ride to Parkhead Cafe & back

NECCL Super Saturday Series Rd 8 @ Hetton Lyons - Photos etc

Saturday saw the last in the 2014 series @ Hetton Lyons Country Park. As normal there was three races on the day for all ages and abilities starting at midday. There was a seperate course for the U12's in the middle meadow area with a great mix of terrain to challenge all the 'little un's'. All sixteen of them were trying there hardest and after the bell went they all completed their last laps it was all over. Onto the 'bigger un's' U14/16 they were to take on the full course which was based around the land on the hillside. The course was planned to avoid the areas which have been trashed by other events and to avoid the boggy parts. Geoff and his crew set out a fantastic course taking in a good varity of terrain inc a hurdle! The Tyneside Vagabonds had a strong field of riders and cleared the leader board. There was also a novice lady having a go which is always encouraging to see. After each race we did the 'on the day presentations' followed by the overall league presentations where every rider that completed the minimun 5 from 8 recieved a bag full of goodies. Then it was onto the main race when they linned up on road circuit opposite the hut keen and eager to get started. There was strong wind blowing which made it rather chilly on the start line. Once all the riders turned up and race briefed they were off for 50-60 minutes of hard work, sweat and some tears. After the first couple of laps the field split up to form some smaller groups of riders battling it out for positions. There were a couple of riders dropping out with mechanicals whilst the others were left to fight it out. The ground conditions were the best they could be for this time of year with the near gale force winds drying the top off lovely. After the last rider crossed the line there was six on the day cash prizes presented and riders who completed the league collected their cash winnings. Here is a gallery of PHOTOS free to download etc 

The AGM followed where the 2015 season was discussed and sorted. Below are a few photos from the days action, all the best and hope to see you all return for some offroad fun in 2015. Regards   

Fresh Goods Sunday - Gear outer & inner cable

Its that time of year where i check through the cycle consumable stock and replemish the supply. Not sure why but i have gone through alot of gear inner & outer cable this year. Still got plenty of brake inner & outer so had a shop around. I normally just get a couple of meteres each time but found Planet x jobsworth pro workshop roll of 30m, rrp £9.99 which is not bad at all but i have voucher code and paid £8! = 27p per m. Probably enough to last me quite a few years. I also bought some spare inner cables as i was down to my last couple. I have used Clarks inner cables for the last few years without any problems and are good value for money. There are various different models from the cheapo universal galvanised £79p to £1.99 stainless steel. I opted for the Elite pre lubed version 99p but again i used the 20% off code so worked out at 80p each, cannot go wrong at the price!    First bike to try out the new cables is the Litespeed rear mech, the shift is dragging on the bottom of the cassette.

Neccl Super Saturday Series 2014 Presentations @ Hetton Lyons Sat 20th Dec

NECCL SUPER SATURDAY SERIES 2014 - League Presentations
This year i am going to do three presentations. First up will be the U12's after their race, second with be U14/16's after their race then lats but not least the big'uns. All riders (37no) who have or can complete the min 5 from 8 this Saturday @ Hetton Lyons will recieve cash for the adults and goodie bag for the kids. If the adults can come and see me in the hut after the main race when you hand your number back in i will present you with your envelope. Remeber its also the agm after the main race in the hut. Hope to see all the league finishers and many more this Saturday, regards, Scoty