Back on a analogue bike - Trek Procaliber 9.8 Hardtail XC mtb - very windy ride

 

Back out on the bike today but because of the very strong wind - 30+mph gusts I decided to take out my analogue Trek Procaliber 9.8 hardtail xc mtb for a local spin. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park and headed for Broompark then along to Ushaw Moor. I had mainly a tailwind so I knew it was going to be hard going on the return leg. There was quite a few others out battling the elements! The line was wet and muddy in places and bone dry and easy going in other places. I think it is the first time I have used this bike this tear which is not good! I mainly use it in the summer when it is red hot, sunny and dusty fry but that never really happened this year so it never come out. Not too worry as they say, all in just over 11 miles in 57 minutes with 350ft of climbing. Below are a couple of snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Out n back to Bishop Auckland on the Creo 2

 

Back out on the bike again for an out n back spin along the old railway lines from Langley Park to Bishop Auckland. It started off overcast, cloudy and misty but the sun did come out when I was on the outskirts of Bishop and a very short spell on the way back. It was not warm with the Garmin reading 2.9 degrees but there was no wind. The lines are dry'ish but plenty of mud in some sections. There was a quite a few others users out so very slow down / speed back up moments. All in just over 27 miles in 2hrs 3mins and 800ft of climbing. Below are a couple of snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goodies - The Cannondale Archives 1971 - 2021 Book & Assos Ultraz Winter Socks EVO

 

I have been after one of these limited edition books for a while now and won this one on Ebay for a reasonable price. I have been into Cannondale from a very young age and have had loads of different Cannondale bikes. Shame they have been bought out as the brand has nearly died in my eyes which is a real shame. 

Also due to the recent cold weather I have cracked open my new winter socks from Assos which I bought a while ago in the sale @ Infinity Cycles. Hopefully they will keep my little trotters warmer over the winter months. 

Earlry morning warm loop down and around Durham area

 

I decided to have an early morning spin out on my Trek e MTB hardtail for a change. I was starting work late and there was no frost / ice so I decided to do my normal Durham loop. It was straight down to Durham, around to Maiden Castle then through Houghall woods, up and odwn The Trod, back around Durham then home via the The Sands / Frankland. With no frost / ice and heavy rain all night is was a shit fest! Not too worry as I had plenty of spare time when I got back to wash, dry, lube and charge the bike back up. There was quite a few others out early morning but no sunrise today as it was overcast and cloudy. Nothing much has changed around the loop apart from they have resurfaced the path through the wooded section opposite the sewage works in Durham. All in it was just over 16 miles in 1hr 20mins with 800ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, my camera does not like the dark especially when moving. Enjoy and hopefully more soon-  

A cold but mainly sunny winter spin on the Specialized Creo 2 to Parkhead, Waskerley Way

 

What a start to the week, lashed down all day at work on Monday then yesterday is was dry but freezing cold and today there was some sun forecast so I decided to take a days holiday. The sun was slow in coming out and yet again there was a overnight frost. I had sort of planned a route which I have not done in a while but the roads were too icy for me. So I changed the plan and jumped onto the old railway line at Langley Park and headed for Consett. The Garmin was reading minus -2.5 degrees so was nippy to say the least. As ever this season when I was gaining height towards Consett it was getting sunnier and hotter. At the crossroads I turned left and headed for Parkhead on the Waskerley Way. I had no wind all the way until I crossed the A68 then it was a stiff head wind all the way to the top from there. There was very few others out n about and never seen a sole on the tops. It clouded over at the top and turned cold again. On the way back down I was flying as I had a tailwind. The sun soon come back out again and it warmed up. The Garmin was reading +4.5 degrees and all the frost / icy had mainly melted. Below are a few snaps from the 36 mile out n back ride. Time was 2 hr 37 min with just under 1500ft of climbing. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Back out in the cold gloom of Co Durham's gravel

 

I finished early today so decided to have another spin out on my Creo 2 gravel bike. There was no frost or ice today as the temperature was higher but still felt really cold as there was no sun. The Garmin was hovering around 1.5 degrees for the whole ride. It was one of my regular loops taking in two of Co Durham's old railway lines and two short tarmac inter linking road sections. There was not many others out n about and I only stopped a couple of times to take some snaps. most of the snaps were from the saddle. All in just under 19.5 miles in 1hr 23 mins with an ave speed of 14.2mph and 800ft of climbing. Enjoy the few snaps below and hopefully more soon -