Last day of the school hols - day trip to South Shields

Last day of Christmas school hols so decided to have a day out on the coast at South Shields. There was a sharp overnight frost so the sun was out all day. We went swimming first at Haven Point, the councils new complex which has three pools- main 25m, small kids pool and play pool area with tubes, slides, fountains etc. What i like about the main pool is the glazing is down to floor level and when the sun it shines through onto the water and you can see straight outside. After 40 lengths and quite a few goes on the flumes it was a trip to the cafe inside the complex washed down by icecreams at the crazy golf hut. To burn some of that off it was a brisk walk up the beach to gypsies green and back along the path to the boating lake for a ride on the steam train. By this time it was fish & chip time so had a walk upto Colemans for a takeaway then a cruise home along the coast to Rocker then through Sunderland & home. 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Endura Equipe Compact Shell Jacket

I have used many packable lightweight jackets / pertex coats over the years, some good and some not so good. The last version was an Endura Pakajak which was ok at first for keeping light rain showers at bay but recently when used in the drizzle it just goes straight through. It is ok for keeping the wind out on a chilly dry ride but no good for the back pocket in case of showers. It packs down to a small size in its own bag. The other problem is if you have velcro on your gloves it sticks to the trim on the cuff. Time for a new one for winter and every other season in Britian. The equipe model has alot more features (see below) than the Pakajak but does not come with its own bag to fold into. I have used it several times to keep the cold wind out and light showers out. It has performed ok so far and goes on every ride unless i am wearing my full winter jacket. One thing i have noticed is that the material is not as breathable and the heat builds up easliy if your climbing. Another advantage is the rear pocket with zip for small/not too heavy items. It comes in white and black and all sizes. We ended up with two, one in each colour and paid £19.49 each inc next day delivery. A bargain compaired to the £65rrp! thanks Westbrook Cycles.

Blurb -

Ultra packable compact showerproof Jacket with stretch waterproof panels for outstanding aero/ no-flap fit and ease of mobility.

Integrated rear splash-back, rain and sweat-resistant pocket for your radio/ phone/ media player with cable port. Stuffs into jersey pocket when not needed
- Super-compact lightweight cire fabric provides complete windproofing and useful water resistance
- Slim fit elasticated cuff eliminates bulky Velcro closures providing secure fit and a more compact design
- Hidden zip provides access to a spacious waterproof rear pocket
- Large, die-cut reflective panels on rear of jacket
- Laser cut hidden storm flap completes windproofing on front and includes zip guard on collar
- Set-in sleeve is combined with windproof stretch chest panels for contoured fit
- Contoured sleeves feature stretch waterproof panelling around elbows for improved fit and forearm die-cut reflective prints

This super-lightweight showerproof shell AKA racing cape rolls up so compact, you could carry it in your back pocket and barely notice it. Being an Endura Equipe garment, even this simple shell boasts tons more features than you would find in similar lightweight wind jackets.

•Windproof, shower-resistant 80% nylon/10% Lycra / 10% polyester Cire fabric front and sides.
•2.5-layer stretch panels on sleeves and back.
•Set-in sleeve at shoulder for maximum freedom of movement.
•Full length YKK zip with zipper garage on the high neckline
•Classic cycling cut, with high collar, long back and long sleeves, ensures maximum coverage as you stretch out on the bike.
•Decent-sized (approx 23x15cm) zipped rear pocket with media port.
•Elastic waist band with silicone griper band keep this shell snuggly in place.
•The extra long sleeves are finished with no-fuss elastic cuffs.
•Reflective chevrons by the rear pocket.
•Reflective stripes on shoulders.
•Only 146g size large.

Trip through to Hamsterley Forest for some mud plugging fun on the fat bikes

This is our festive day over to the forest as it was my only day off work. The sun was shinning, it was blowing a gale and there was plenty of mud. Arran took his Mukluk with 26x2.75" dirtwizards, Angus Krampgrease with 26x4" dillinger front & 29x3" chronicle rear and me on my Beargrease with 5" bud up front and 4" Dilliinger rear. Why i mention the tyres is to be explanied later. We parked up and headed off into the forest for the long steady climb upto the open moor. As soon as we left the shelter of the trees onto the exposed moor you could hardly stand up, it was blowing a freezing cold gale up there. The track over to Doctors Gate is complety trashed by 4x4's with puddles and mud well over a foot deep. The photo above shows the distruction the vehicles have caused. Some sections were just un rideable and was a get off and push job. Once at Doctors Gate it was a very quick stop and then we dropped down the singletrack through the heather back towards the forest. Even some sections of this could not be ridden. The views were fantastic with lovely clear skies and not a sole about. Once we dropped back into the forest it was more sheltered from the wind but still very muddy. Arran rode more sections over the moor than both me and Angus. I have never lost taction/steering so much with the Bud but today it was all over the place in the deep stuff, the dillinger of the rear was a waste of time, poor Angus had the Chronicle and slipping and sliding all over the place. I have never ever seen some many mtbs at the forest in all my 30+ years of going there, once you could leave the carpark and ride 20+ miles and never see a sole. Saying that if you ride anywhere apart form the man made singletrack sections its still very quiet. We found some new singletrack which was lovely to ride and rode some old favourites as well. The new section on the black route after the long section of roots along the wall looks nearly completed and will be trashed very soon. It was a quick spin back along the visitors centre via the grove link and a loop around the skills park before heading back home for the clean up operation, oh and to dig out the Nates and fit them lol! Here is a link the Gallery of photos  and a select few below, more soon  

Clean Salsa Cycles, not for long

Zoom in and follow the rear tyre track lol

Should have took my swimming trunks intsead, track in under water

Over an hour later we got to Doctors Gate

and onto the singletrack

finally some downhill action

who has lost a penny

heading back down to the forest for some shelter

arran back end slipped on a tree root, he held onto it

singletrack down through the trees in the sunlight

once i used to ride up this climb, its hard to see but there is a 2ft drop on the right made by 4x4's

new section looking good



top of the skills loop, tree down blocking the entrance



time for some woodwork

muddy, cold but happy

    

New Years Day Park Run

Forecast was not looking too good for New Years day with heavy rain forecasted and strong winds but 13 degress! so we all decided to do the New Years Day Park run @ Chester le Street riverside grounds. We pulled into the carpark and it was busy with runners milling around and headed over to the cafe canopy for some shelter from the passing rain shower. It felt cold with the wind but was 8 degrees. 9am and after a slight delay on the start we were off, its 2 and3/4 laps of the riverside grounds which and flat with only a couple of very short inclines. The ground is mainly tarmac, concrete and one section of field which was up the naffs. Typical me i got the red mist off the start line and went out like a charging bull, 1/2 a lap later my body was telling me that was enough, lap two was alot slower and with Arran a mile in front and Angus catching me i tried to keep a reasonable pace but the legs and lungs were telling me to slow down even more. I slowed on the last leg past the swans for Angus to catch up and go over the finishing line together. On the finishing straight he shouts sprint, there is someone right behind us, i tried and could not keep up with him so he had a last second battle to the line with a lady and just beat here and i came in a few seconds later. Arran then shouts "where have you been" nice one son. Angus got a new pb by 50 seconds chasing me down so at least he was happy, as for me i will be suffering in a couple of days! In the afternoon we had a look down to the DLI Museum and the kids had a great time, coffee shop wasnt too bad either!  

I was over dressed and over heated, need to lose a couple of stone i thinks

Jeep @ the DLI, kids loving it

Cousins Islay & Hamish having fun in the art display

Islay was hyper

Boxing day ride through to South Shields on the Krampgrease

I usually ride through to the cx race at Temple Park, South Shields on Boxing day and this year i did the same, Richy led the way through to Shields on chilling morning with patches of ice in places and over cast. Once nearer to the coast the frost/ice disappeared but still a nippy wind. Once we hit Roker it was up the coast before heading in land to the Sports Centre. There was one shock when we turned the corner and Seaburn beach was packed full freezing cold people that just had a dip in the North Sea, it was that busy even the coast road was closed to traffic. Some did not even have a change of clothes and anything warm to wrap up in, just plain crazy.  

Roker Beach busy

Maxxis 2.25" via Maxxis 3" , not too bad on the sand either

Heres the crazy people

Mad mile richy taking in the view

Poor Angus's rear wheel blocked solid during the race and would not turn