Wintery Saturday Morning ride up the Waskerley

Woke up to an overnight frost with a dusting of snow on the top. Didn't get out until after 8.30am and it was -2 degrees. I was planning on doing the ride on my Dale Super x for  change but the conditions were just too bad so took the Krampgrease instead. Steady ride over to Baxters Farm to join the old line upto Consett. I was flying going up as the ground was frozen solid but it was chilly and overcast. By the time I went through Lanchester the sun decided to pop out for a while but was gone by the time I reached Consett coal truck junction. I opted to turn left and headed up the Waskerley to Park Head as the wind did not seem too bad for a change. The snow was getting deeper as I climbed higher. It went very dark after the short wooded section, the temperature had dropped and there was a sleet shower. Time to turn and burn back home. Once I reached Consett again the frost had started to lift and the snow was melting as well. By the time I got back to Lanchester it has all melted and the frost had lifted out of the line. It was very soft/slower going and freezing cold black water on the top was not nice. All in just over 40miles and with an average speed of 12.6mph. Not too bad for a winters Saturday morning ride. Below are some of the photos I took during the ride. More soon, all the best -

Trails dusted in snow as I left the house

On the way to Baxters Farm

Uoto Consett today

Frozen and fast going under tyre

Dark skies in the distance

check out the wild rooming livestock

Sky dark Annfield Plain direction

and sunny up the Waskerley direction

Hownsgill Viaduct

Passed a few walkers and dog walkers

Quick photo break on the top of the second click up the line

Been a few up / down before me

snow starting to get deeper now

Todays turning point

Heading back to Consett

Slop off the melted lines

Plenty of freezing mucky spray as well

Local icy offroad ride on the Krampgrease

What a week it has been, the weather has either been blowing a gale, snowing, sleet, rain or overcast. I have had problems with Argos, Jones the Bootmaker, BHS, Safestyle & Dents. Lost my pertex and found it the following day blown half way down the street. Gone for ride and left half my kit at home. Another day got changed and went to put my gloves on and found out I had two right had gloves and one was Angus's. Cannot upload photos from my computer onto the blog so I am typing this one from Arrans computer. I am pleased its Friday and got a quick spin in on the Krampgrease again. It was freezing cold today with plenty of ice along the old lines and country back roads. When I reached the highest point of the ride the sun even tried to burn through. Once back down to Meadowfield it was sunny but still a freezing cold breeze. Below are a few photos from the ride - enjoy and get your feet up.

First snowy'ish ride this winter on the Krampgrease

There was a heavy snow shower yesterday teatime with approx 1" covering. With an overnight frost there was still a covering today until mid afternoon when the temperature increased and it has melted away. I made the most of it so had a quick blast along the old line to Bishop, over the viaduct and back. There was a strong headwind all the way there but a lovely tail wind coming back. By the time i was finished most of the snow had melted and only a few patches left in the shade. The Krampgrease performed without fault and no problems with the Maxxis Chronicles either. I took it steady on the corners through crossing points etc but its mainly a straight run. Here are a few snowy photos from the ride-

 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Mavic R-SYS SLR WTS wheelset

I have been looking at these wheels for quite a few years now and after building up the Dale Supersix Evo Nano Black ltd ed frameset these would just finish the look of the bike off nicely. Mavic have changed the rim shape for 2015 so retailers are selling off their remaining stock. Royles had them advertised for £899 inc next day delivery. Westys are £1099, the rrp is £1600. Well i like to keep my buisness local when i can so used the price match thing on Westys website (first time i have ever done a price match on anything over the net). Next day i received an email from owner Paul, yes no probs you can have a pair, the last ones (edit they have more in stock now) as well! We had a trip down to Stokesley to pick them up and do some more shopping and feed the ducks whilst were there down there. A few days later i unpacked them and swaped over the cassette and fitted them, no porbs and they even felt light compaired to my Mavic Carbon Cosmic SLR's i took off. A quick check on the scales and the bike has dropped a pound on the nose in weight. Last job was to fit the mavic brake pads (inc with the wheels)as you cannot use normal pads on the special coating on the rims. I have only had one ride on them as the roads are just to dirty and salty at the mo. as you would expect from mavic no problems to report, they climbed well but notic more flex in the rear when when out of the saddle on really steep sections compaired to the comsic carbons, which you would expect. Yes there is more noise when applying the brakes comparied to normal alu braking surfaces. I hit 45mph on them and felt stable. I will more post feedback in the spring after i have have had a few rides on them. More on the tyres in next weeks Fresh Goods Sunday.

Here is the official Mavic blurb - 

The lightest alloy clincher wheelset available. Only the most advanced Mavic technologies (Tracomp, ISM3D, QRM SL, Exalith...) could make this wheel possible. Low inertia, light weight and responsiveness reach their maximum. All this with no compromise on reliability. The perfect wheel for the most demanding climbers.

•The lightest alloy clincher wheel:
•ISM 3D, Exalith reinforced
•Carbon Tracomp spokes
•Superlight bearings and axles
•High efficiency and energy transfer:
•High lateral stiffness: Tracomp
•Superlight Yksion Pro Powerlink tyre
•Accurate cornering:
•Maximum lateral stiffness: Tracomp
•Superlight Yksion Pro GripLink tyre
•Weight (pair of wheels): 1295 grams:
•front wheel: 555 grams
•pair of wheels with tyre - WTS: 1835 grams
•front wheel with tyre - WTS: 825 grams
Features:
RIMS
•Material: Maxtal
•Colour: Exalith
•Height: front 22 mm, rear 25 mm asymmetrical
•Joint: SUP
•Drilling: Fore
•Brake track: Exalith 2
•Weight reduction: ISM 3D
•Valve hole diameter: 6.5 mm
•Tyre: clincher or tubular
•ETRTO size: 622x15C
•Recommended tyre sizes: 19 to 32 mm
SPOKES
•Material: carbon fiber (front and rear non drive side) and Zicral (rear drive side)
•Shape: Tracomp tubular (front and rear non drive side) and straight pull bladed and double butted (rear drive side)
•Colour: carbon with black nipples and heads (front and rear non drive side), black (rear drive side)
•Nipples: integrated M7 aluminum with dry thread lock
•Count: front 16, rear 20
•Lacing: radial front and rear non-drive side, crossed 2 rear drive side
HUBS
•Front and rear bodies: aluminum
•Colour: black
•Front and rear axle material: aluminum
•QRM SL
•FTS-L steel
TYRE
•Yksion Pro Griplink (front) & Powerlink (rear) - 190g
•Link: GripLink
•Link: PowerLink
•Tread: Dual Compound
•Casing: 127 TPI
•Breaker: superior Kevlar
•Dimension: 23-622 (700x23c)
•Max. Pressure: 9 bar / 130 psi
•Colour: Black / SSC
DELIVERED WITH
•BR601 quick releases
•Wheelbags
•Computer magnet (front wheel)
•Multifonction adjustment wrench
•Tracomp ring tool
•User guide
Technology:
Exalith 2 - High braking performance The Mavic exclusive Exalith 2 technology for aluminum rims has been refined to provide a very high level of durability and braking performance in all weather conditions.
•Braking distance shortened by 18% in wet conditions, while keeping pads wear to normal level.
•Exalith treatment penetrates the alloy to delay rim wear and maintain distinctive anthracite grey color for thousands of kilometers.
•New special black Mavic Exalith 2 brake pads to ensure quiet and high braking performance and longevity (delivered with the wheels).
GripLink - Grip and Control A front tyre, whether a clincher or a tubular, must fully liberate the wheel’s ability to hold the ground and control the bike. Therefore, GripLink tyres are optimized for front use, by offering a superior grip.
•The safest grip with great steering control: Dual compound “S ” with added Silica.
•Hold the road in any situation: light and supple high density casing.
•Reduced risk of flats: strong Nylon anti-puncture breaker.
Powerlink - Low rolling resistance A rear tyre, whether a clincher or a tubular, must fully liberate the wheel’s ability to transfer power and generate speed. Therefore, PowerLink tyres are optimized for rear use, by minimizing the rolling resistance.
•Superior energy transfer, reduced rolling resistance and safe grip: Dual compound.
•Improved drive: light and supple high density casing.
•Higher durability and reduced risk of flats: Dual compound and strong Nylon anti-puncture breaker.
FTS-L - Force Transfer System Light Reinforcement of key transmission components: the contact area between the pawl and the hub body is reinforced by 2 stainless steel inserts, which allows the use of a 100% aluminum hub body.
•Greater efficiency due to better transmission of efforts on the entire wheel.
•Lightweight and strong hub design.
QRM SL - Qualité de Roulements Mavic Super Light The super light bearings are designed having in mind the QRM strict specifications. The matching hub axles are machined within extremely narrow tolerances, then one by one adjusted with very high precision when assembled.
•Up to 12% lighter that QRM system
•Tight tolerances for optimized rolling efficiency
SUP - Stronger and smoother joint Soudé Usiné Process. After bending, the rim joint is arc welded. The welded seam is then milled for a smooth finish.
•Extremely strong rim joint.
•Eliminates shuddering when braking.
•Superior wheel balance.
Maxtal - Light and strong Exclusive to Mavic, this specific aluminum alloy offers a higher weight to strength ratio than conventional 6106 alloy.
•30% more resistant rims
•Lighter rims
Fore - Stiffer and stronger Instead of being drilled, the lower rim bridge is pushed on the inside, then threaded to enable the spoke nipples to be directly screwed in it, leaving the upper rim bridge intact.
•Rim is 4 times more resistant to fatigue stress
•20% increase in the rim rigidity to maximize power transfer
Zicral - A specific aluminum alloy that provides spokes with higher stiffness to weight ratio while being stronger.
•Lighter spokes for easier climbing
•Stiffer spokes for better energy transmission
•Stronger spokes for increased durability

 enough of that rubbish and here are a few pics - 

A pair of conti supersonic 50g's will drop the bike down to 12+lbs weight! not bad for old 10speed Dura Ace

Blown away on a local Sunday morning offroad ride

We have been battered with near gale force winds on Friday / Saturday so no riding done. Yesterday i spent most of the day cleaning / sorting out my man cave and fixing bikes whilst it was raining / blowing a gale outside. Today the wind has died down a little to approx 40mph gusts and was forecasted dry. Up and out with a beautiful sun rise with icy paths / frozen tracks etc. After an hour when we reached higher ground the wind was picking up with sleet showers battering our faces. Disaster, changed the front inner tube due to a putcture we were away again trying to build some heat back up, approx 4 miles later another puncture. Time to call the wife with the van, two tubes, three patches, one co2, mini pump and track pump later we were away again for the second time. Now stocked up with fresh tubes, more patches/glue and replaced the co2. By now we were both frozen cold but head down we dug in for more miles. The sun never came back out and we were blasted with freezing rain/sleet showers ever 15-20mins. 30 miles and just under 3hrs (running time) 4hrs overall! 2000ft climbing we were back home, cold, wet & muddy. Below are a few photos from the ride, time to go and wash the bikes and dirty kit now, oh the joys of riding in the winter, more soon.  

Frosty hard ground at sunrise

did not last long, ground is starting to thaw

pleased we fitted the Nates to the Beargrease

just after this we were greeted with a blasting of sleet in our faces

flurry of snow on high ground

just one of the tress that has come down in the recent gales

some skills practice in the woods

puddle of doom filling up again

enjoying some mud free singletrack through the woods

top of the trod, Durham Cathedral in the background

Cathedral running relay event on the old race course

Chopped up nicley ready for the cx event next Sunday here

finally home ward bound, just another 3-4 miles and mostly up hill !