Sunday blast out along the lines on the CX bikes

Up and out the door early this morning for a ride on the CX bikes. The sun was shinning, the wind was blowing a near gale but it was dry. We headed over to Broompark to pick up the old line then it was straight upto Consett into a massive headwind for a solid 10miles of slog. At the junction we stopped for a quick drink and photos but was freezing cold so didnt stop long. From here we headed straight down the line to Birtley which was very fast going with a lovely tail wind. At Birtley we were going to turn & head home but we continued on down to Cox Green. Again we stopped for a quick drink & photo then back along the old paths to Lambton Estate, Leamside & Finchale Prior. Then it was one last slog up the hills (again into a headwind) back home. The bikes were clean as there was no mud/puddles on the lines but the short road sections were salty so gave them a quick hose off & dry. Below are a few photos, not many as it was a head down and arse up ride, all in 43 miles.

 

Late Saturday afternoon ride to Durham on the Alu & Carbon Beargrease's

Managed to get a late afternoon ride down to Durham for a few bit's n bob's then a ride out before heading home. Durham was rammed solid with people and taking two FAT BIKES into the market square is not a good idea with very tom, dick and harry stopping to ask you about the tyres lol. After that we had a ride out of the city centre taking in some dusty trails before heading back to the city centre then headed home. Still a cold wind and when its overcast its really chilly but lovely in the shelter away from the wind and the suns out. Below are some photos from the ride.  

University rowing clubs out on the river today

The new track around Maiden Castle has bedded in well

Up the offroad to the top of the Trod and tarmac way back down

Where was a poster up advertising a Big Dig @ the Gardens - no sure what that is about

One of many bridge crossings as the cycle track is still cloased due to the landslide

One at time now Beargrease's - no fighting

Home ward bound now

Back into the Urban Jungle

Last bridge crossing of the ride

One of four level crossing concrete posts near Frankland Prison

Sorry this was the last bridge crossing over water

Chugging away up the climb, this was nearly a foot deep of mud a couple of months ago and was a push up

And this was the last bridge crossing over the main East Coast railway line

Local Fat Bike ride in gale force winds

Not been out on the bike for a few days for one reason or another so today i made a spare hour or two to get a few local miles in. We have had near gale force winds since last Friday and they havent dropped. Every day has been the same but dry until later on today. The trails are still dry under tyre and rolling fast, its just the wind makes it very hard going. I could not face the road or cx bike so took the Salsa Carbon Beargrease out for a local ride with as many wooded sections as possible to try and get some shelter from the strong gusts. 15+ miles later and over 1000ft of climbing that was enough for me. I was overdressed for the sheltered climbs but dressed just right for the wide open sections in the freezing head wind, you just cannot win. Below are some photos from the ride, enjoy. 

Check out the metal mushrooms growing from the bridge

Was thinking about trying to ride up this lot but changed my mind

Shake, rattle and roll going over this bridge @ Maiden Castle

Grave yard of T off Markers @ Mount Oswald

No more golf buggies flying through here anymore - its now closed

I love the guards on this pipe to stop you crossing over

Singletrack still lovely & dry

Fresh Goods Sunday - Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Lock

Replacement lock for the good lady after the remains of the last one are in the hands of Durham Constabulary. Decided to go for a Gold Secure lock this time with a rating of 10/10. It comes with three keys and one has an LED light on it. You can register the lock and they will pay out upto £2.5k if you bike is stolen within the first 12 months (but there are alot of conditions!) She is a heavy old beast so its not a lock for popping in your bag to nip to the shops / pub with. There are hre models with in the New York range - mini, standard and LS. This is the mini version, as you will have probably worked it out by now - its the smallest in the range.

Top Features of the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Lock


•18 mm Kryptonium steel shackle will resist bolt cutters and leverage attacks

•Oversize crossbar with additional Kryptonium steel sleeve for double security

•Double deadbolt locking mechanism for extensive holding power

•Centre keyway design defends against leverage attacks

•Sliding dustcover to protect keyway when lock is in use

•Thick vinyl coating to protect bike whilst locked up

•Supplied with three keys, one with a high intensity LED and a replaceable battery

•Dimensions: 8.3 cm x 15.3 cm

•Weight: 2.09 kg

2014 New Fat Rubber - Kenda, Maxxis, Vee Rubber & On One Coloured Floaters

Looks like the tyre manufactures are finally catching up with Maxxis, Kenda & Vee Rubber all announcing new tyres for this year. Below is some info on them and photos.

Kenda

"Kenda has jumped into the fat bike game with the new Juggernaut Sport. Kenda is seemingly still taking a rather tentative approach to the segment, however, as the Juggernaut Sport will only be available in a single 26x4in size with a 60tpi casing and wire beads".
"Looking somewhat like a fat bike sized Small Block 8, the Juggernaut Sport includes ramped center knobs and chevron shaped scoops for traction in the loose stuff. Looking much lower profile than the competition, the Juggernaut Sport is a 26 x 4.0 60 tpi wire bead tire that should excel in hard pack and intermediate conditions."

Maxxis
"Maxxis will have two fat bike tyres this coming season: the 26x4in Mammoth and the 29x3in Chronicle. Both prioritize low rolling resistance over outright grip with very compact centre tread patterns, ramped leading edges, and relatively low knob heights. Both will be offered in 60tpi and 120tpi versions starting this June."
"Entering into the world of fat bikes, Maxxis gave us a look at their new Mammoth which clocks in at 4″ wide. Made with either a 60 or 120 tpi dual compound casing, the tire uses closely spaced center knobs for low rolling resistance. From there the tire runs connected tread blocks to act as scoops in deep snow, followed by aggressive shoulder knobs for cornering traction."

"The Mammoth runs Maxxis’ new Silk Shield puncture protection which is a bead to bead kevlar layer. Designed to be an all purpose fat bike tire, the Mammoth will be right at home on bikes with 135 offset or 170mm rear ends."

Vee Rubber

"Vee Rubber may not be terribly well known in mountain biking circles but the company is certainly banking heavily on the fat bike segment with no fewer than eightdifferent treads for 2015. New models include the 26x4.7in Bulldozer with openly spaced knobs; the studdable 26x4.8in SnowShoe XL with taller knobs to bite into deep snow and mud; the speedy-looking 26x4.25in H-Billie with more closely spaced and lower-height knobs
The new Vee Rubber SnowShoe XL (left) features an ultra-fat 26x4.8in casing in 72 or 120tpi. The studdable version is shown here but there's a non-studdable variant as well. Meanwhile, the 26x4.7in Bulldozer is fitted with a more aggressively ramped centre tread to reduce rolling resistance.
The 26x4.25in Vee Rubber H-Billie is meant for either winter or summer use with its versatile tread pattern."

On One
Not sure on these new coloured Floaters but there a tenner cheaper each than the black ones LINK

"The Beast" best for traction in the muddiest of conditions