Hike around Stanhope Common / Fell and a 5k Trail Run + Meal out at the new Bells

I was back to work after Boxing day and it was a lovely day so took my running kit and did a 5K trot up the old railway line and back, nice and flat with only a couple of small clicks. It has been six months since I last ran a 5k so was hard going to say the least. I started out slow then once I got warmed up it was not too bad. Just over 35 mins! need to start loosing some weight and getting it under 30minutes again and hopefully back nearer to the 25 min mark! Friday I did not get out, no spare time and but got a few jobs down around the house once I got back in.
Yesterday the forecast was looking good with dry, warm, sunny weather so we headed off up to Stanhope. The only problem was the 59mph gale force winds. We parked up at the Dales Centre and me, Jane & Angus headed off on our normal route up through the quarry where the path is going to be closed for the next six months! Looks like they might be replacing the two bridges. Once we were out of the quarry and starting the next leg of the climb onto the moor you could hardly stand up. Once at the top we swung right, we had a massive tail wind. The wooded section was quite dry, we were expecting it to be ankle deep mud all the way.  With hardly no rain for weeks the steeping stones at the ford was possible. The temperature was reading 11 to 13 degrees in the van on the way home and the wind had gone. Below area some snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon -

We have also been to the new Bells at Framwellgate Moor (part of the old GMD garage) we had a sit in meal and its pricey! Tenner for fish n chips and £2 for a small glass of pop! the takeaway around the side was also very busy. My sister has been to the takeaway and said the chips were very greasy! ours were ok in the restaurant.

Boxing Day local spin on the E Mtb

After a day of lazing around, eating food and drinking yesterday it was time to get my lazy arse into gear. The weather was looking good so I set off around 8.30am and it was overcast and cool. I took the back way over to Baxters wood then onto the lines to Broom Park then onto the line to Bishop. There was not many other people out and about and the lines were dry'ish. Once at Bishop I climbed out on the road to pick up the line to Spenny. By now there was a few other people out and about with the sun out. I decided to take in the woods for the singletrack through Spenny which were mainly ok but once I crossed the small bridge at the bottom to climb back up through Tudhoe woods it was ankle deep in sticky / slippery wet mud. Even the e bike could not get me up the climb so it was a push up. Once out of the woods I picked up the country lane to the back of Croxdale I decided not to tackle these woods as they get very muddy near the viaduct end so stuck to the cycle path. Through Croxdale estate, around the back of Bowburn, Low Shincliffe, Maiden Castle then the river banks to Durham. It was too busy to go all the way around the riverside so went up and over and dropped onto the millennium bridge and back home via Frankland farm, dog kennels and the sands. All in 37 miles and my body was starting to get tired. Once back home it was time to wash the bike and all my clothes as I was up the clarts. Enjoy the photos below and hopefully more soon -