Fresh Goodies - Assos MILLE GT 3/3 Bib Tights C2 Black Series

 

I have not had a Fresh Goodies blog for a while now as all my money has gone on buying and sorting out my new van which I am still having hassle with. But Infinity Cycles are having a clothing sale where they are flogging off nearly all the clothing upstairs. All brands are in the sale - Assos, Endura, Specialized etc. It is a minimum of 40% off and some things have more. They had to close there website down so the only way to check stock is to visit store now. Not sure how much longer the doors are going to remain open, its shame as I cannot see how they break even now. 

We called in past yesterday morning before heading for Stanhope and I picked up a new pair of winter tights. If you follow my Blog I have moved over to Assos clothing for most of my items now but have always used Endura bib longs. Time for a change and thought I would try these out. The rrp is now £205! but I managed to get them for £108 = 47% off. 

I was going to keep them for when my Endura ones wear out but today I thought what the hell its just above 0 degrees and quite windy so an ideal test for them. I will do a Fresh Goods Sunday blog on them after a few more rides in different weather conditions. 

A cold Sunday morning local gravel ride on Co Durham's old railway lines

Yesterday me, Jane and Angus had a look through to Stanhope for a 5 mile hike across the moors etc and it was lovely and sunny with very little wind after the early morning heavy rain shower. The tracks were not too bad considering the amount of rain we have had recently. 

Today the forecast was for sun from sunrise just after 7.30am to 11ish so why not get back out on the bike again. I have swapped over to full winter kit now but thought I would get away without using my winter boots but I was wrong. After one and half  hours my toes were freezing even with my winter socks on. The Garmin was reading 1.2 degrees along the line towards Hedleyhope. It was lovely and quiet early doors but very busy on the way back in via Brandon, Broompark, Langley Park. There was loads of runners out, never seen so many people out running. Saying that I managed to get a 5k in on Thursday myself. I am back on the running but need to loose some weight as its hard going to say the least. 

Well the forecast was wrong the sun soon disappeared and a headwind coming back in it felt really cold enough though the Garmin had risen to around 4 degrees. I have look out the rear Ass Saver Wing win mudguard ready for the slop feast of a winter no doubt we will have. 

All in 27 miles in 2hrs 4mins with 1300ft of climbing, below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

A long over due day off to sunny Seaham for a spin out on the Creo 2 gravel bike

 

What a week of continuous rain. I was soaked for two and half days at work so booked today off. I packed the bike in the van and had a drive through to Seaham. I did some exploring along the cliffs / woods / Hawthorn Dene then a loop back into Seaham then up the coast on the opposite side todays Sunderland way. The sun was glorious and the wind was not too bad either. There was loads of other people out enjoying the spell of good weather for a change. I took the Spec Creo 2 gravel out for a change as I have not ridden it for a couple of months. It is still going sweet as a nut. Once back to the van I had a walk around the market and the shops then to Downey's for my dinner! 

Enjoy the few photos below and hopefully more soon- 

Cold but sunny spin through to Bishop Auckland n back

 

What a week of rain and flooding but today there was nearly a frost with the Garmin hovering around 2 degrees at 8am. The sun was out and there was very little wind so it was time for a ride. I headed along the old railway line from Langley Park to Broom Park picnic area. From there I turned left and headed to Bishop Auckland. I was expecting the railways lines to have massive puddles and some flooding but they were near perfect! There was loads of other users out and about enjoying the sun and dry spell of weather. I treated myself to a sausage buttie when I reached Bishop. There was also a vintage car show setting up in the market place. The return leg was the same but in the opposite direction and a small loop at on the end at Langley Park. I took the Creo 1 gravel bike and its still going strong. All in just under 29 miles with 900ft of climbing in 2hrs 13 mins. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Oh I also did a 5k trail trot last Sunday up at Derwent water reservoir in 34.45mins with 105ft of climbing. I found my leg muscles again! could not walk properly and struggled getting down the stairs for three days. 

A short spin out down to Cox Green on my Creo 1 gravel bike

 

I am back and out on my bike for a short spin. I have been very busy at work and bought a new van which took up a lot of my spare time dealing with idiots who cannot do their job properly. Angus has got my old van and we sold the old Corsa which we have had in the family for a very long time. Still waiting on DVLA for V5C's, swapping plates and road tax refunds etc but getting there slowly to say the least. 

Today I had to drop the new van off at Washington to get a sun strip fitted so I had a spin out on my bike whilst they were doing that. It was a short one of 11.5 miles in 54mins with 470ft of climbing. I took my Creo 1 gravel again as it was already in the back of my van. We have had some cracking weather this week in Co Durham but today it was overcast / cloudy with a light drizzle in the air. On the plus side there was no wind. Below are a couple of snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon-