Snowy ride on the Litespeed today

Its the first day the sun has come out all week so far. I was up in Upper Weardale today so had a road ride on the winter Litespeed as the snow was just too deep for any form of off road riding. I did an out and back ride along the main road, well its the main road up there to Alston and back. The temperature was reading -3.5degrees in the van and that was without the wind chill factor so it was certainly nippy. Talking of wind there wasn't any really for a change compared to the last time I tried to ride to Alston in a near gale force wind and fog to the door. The views were fantastic today over the snow covered moors and the roads were mainly clear just odd patches of ice in the shaded sections. I hit just under 50mph on the descent off Alston Common heading back to Killhope, scary considering the road conditions! All in 3000ft of climbing and an ave of 12.9mph, not too bad considering the time of year. Below are a few photos from todays enjoyable leisure ride.

One of only two junctions today

Just climbed up here

Snow is getting deeper at the sides of the road

On the way to Killhope

Killhope wheel in the background

Check out the black line in the distance, that is the road I am going to climb

I hit 50mph coming back down this on the return leg!

Snow was well over a foot deep near the top

Finally at the top

And back down again to Nenthead

Alston market place

Cobbled high street was fun today on skinny tyres

Back up the climb out of Nenthead, its a killer

Just come up this incline, check out how deep the snow is

Back into County Durham

It reached -3.5degrees driving through

Alpaca's enjoying the snow

Less snow coming through East/Westgate

Snowy ride on the Salsa Beargrease today

I was up at Tanfiled / Stanley / Consett way today so made the most of the snow up there. It was time to take the Beargrease out for a spin to try out the Bud / Nate in snowy conditions. The traction/grip is just unreal, never spun the rear wheel once and front end never washed out either. When I set off the snow showers had just died off but by the time I reached Leadgate it was a white out again. I had a headwind and driving snow in my face all the way up to Consett. Once I reached Delves Lane I decided to turn and head back along the old line, this time with a tail wind. It was -2 degrees and that was without the wind chill factor. The snow was falling that quick and heavy my tracks had already been covered so could not follow them on the way back. Only one other cyclist out and he was bombing along on a cheapo hardtail, the snow did not seem to slow him down any! Below are a few photos from the ride -

Bud on the left, Nate on the right

The white out into the headwind filled up the vent holes

Fresh Goods Sunday - Mavic Yksion Pro Griplink & Powerlink tyres

As per last weeks fresh goods here is the follow up on the tyres - Mavic Yksion Pro 23c Powerlink and Griplink tyres fitted as standard. I have been using Michy Pro4 25c for the last couple of years which are a big volume tyre for a 25c and offer more comfort and protection from the UK's roads. So i decided to order a pair of the same Mavic tyres but in the 25c version with SSC labels (also come with white labels) to try out. I have never used Mavic tyres only thier wheels without any problems over the last many years. I shopped around on the uk market but they were very expensive compaired to Acycles in France. Now then, i have never ordered anything from France in my life so decided to give it ago. I ordered them on 30.12.14 and taking into account the time of year they landed on 5.1.15, not bad. Here is a link for the griplink and the powerlink, i paid £52.84 for the pair and that inc £1.99 delivery. The rrp is £39 each here in the uk. The tread pattern is now different on the 2015 version compaired to the 2014 models and the griplink and powerlink have two diferent pattern of grooves where as the pattern was the same on the 2014 models. I have now fitted the tyres and are tighter than the michys, and a narrower profile. I have only done a couple of rides and no problems to report. There seems to be plenty of grip from both tyres when climbing and cornering. The first ride i was cornering at 40+ mph on gritty roads and they felt very grippy, not as much comfort as michy pro4 25c but that is due to the sectional size difference, i will feedback in the spring after a few rides, i can say they do feel very tacky to touch so not sure how durable they will be. Here is the Mavic blurb- 

The Mavic Yksion Pro Powerlink Folding Tyre is designed to speed the bike up.

It is made to match the performance of Mavic rear Wheel-Tyre Systems.
Its low rolling resistance tread will transfer all of your power to the ground.
Available in 23 mm (SSC or white labels) and 25 mm (white labels).
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 wheel use, by minimizing the rolling resistance.

The Mavic Yksion Pro Griplink Folding Tyre was designed for road and triathlon riding.
The Yksion Pro GripLink makes the difference in cornering.
It is made to match with the performance of Mavic front Wheel-Tyre Systems.
Its sticky compound and specific tread pattern will hold the ground in any weather conditions.
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.

Optimized puncture and cuts resistance: Nylon breaker Strong casing: nylon 127 TPI
Weight : 190 & 215 grams
Pressure Max: 9 bar / 130 psi
•Colour : Black
•Dimension : 700x23, 700x25
•Bead : Foldable
•ETRTO : 23-622, 25-622

Heavier than the manufactures weight 190g

Slight difference between 2014 Powerlink & Griplink

Less than the manufacturers 215g weight 

Both tyres weight is the same



2015 25c models



2014 23c models