Fresh Goods Sunday - Gtechniq Bike Wash 250ml

I have been washing bikes since I was knee high and have used various different lotions and potions over the years. When Gtechniq launched their bike range a good few years ago I thought it would be good stuff as I use their car range and is excellent. I bought a 250ml bottle of Bike Wash when we were on our holidays in Yorkshire from Big Bear Bikes a few years ago and started using it straight away. I don't use a lot of water to wash my bikes so I shake the bottle and use half a cap full in approx 5 litres of cold water. The instructions recommend warm water but I only have a cold water outside tap. It is defo high foaming which I love and also has a nice smell. If the bike is very dirty I lightly hose the bike down and spray on some Fenwicks FS10 bike cleaner first, let it soak for a while then wash the bike with Gtechniq bike wash from the bucket with a sponge and it works a treat. Most of the time I don't use the Fenwick's FS10 and just use the Gtechniq. After washing I rinse the bike down and dry off. I have gone through my first bottle and started using my second bottle which I bought from Chevin Cycles at Harrogate. There is not a lot of bike shops stock Gtechniq but you can get it on line. The only other size bottle they do in the Bike Wash is a 5 litre for £85. Shame they did not do a litre size. It seems expensive but works out to be good value as you don't need much each time. I will not be swapping away from this unless something else catches my eye or performs alot better, which I doubt would be possible. 

RRP £9.75 and I paid £9.75 from Chevin Cycles & Big Bear Bikes 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Bike Wash is a biodegradable formulation containing high foaming, premium surfactants. These surfactants have been balanced to break the bond between the dirt film and your bike, delivering exceptionally strong cleaning power. Bike Wash lubricates dirt, minimising abrasion and maximising gloss retention. This highly concentrated formula contains no caustic elements or thickeners.

• Supreme dirt removal
• Highly concentrated formula
• pH neutral

• Shake well before use, wear gloves and use out of direct sunlight.
• Add 2 capfuls of product into an empty 20 litre bucket
• Fill bucket with warm water
• Using a Gtechniq Wash Mitt wash entire bike
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a Gtechniq Bike Towel.
• Store bottle in a cool, dry place

Back around my Durham, Maiden Castle & Houghall Woods morning loop on the Trek Marlin+ emtb hardtail

 

I had a rest day from the bike yesterday but still managed two walks after the heavy morning rain. Today the sun was shining so decided to hop on to my Trek Marlin+ emtb hardtail for a loop around Durham, Maiden Castle and Houghall woods. I have not done this one for a long time nor have I ridden the Marlin+ for a long time either. The bike was lovely and clean, charged up and lube'd up, I just had the tyres to pump up and it was ready to rock n roll. Durham river banks etc was quite busy with other users, alot more than I expected first thing but the sun was shinning and it was warm. Nothing new around the route and Houghall woods inc the middle gully track is still dry and hard under tyre. 

All in just under 17 miles in 1hr 28mins with 900ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride enjoy and hopefully more soon inc a Fresh Goods Sunday at 4pm. 

Consett down the Derwent Walk to Derwenthaugh Park n back

 

After yesterdays ride it must have been a harder ride than I thought it was. After I got changed, put the bike on charge, uploaded my blog and had something to eat I fell a sleep for an hour and a half! 

Anyway the sun was shinning more this morning and did not look as cold so I decided to go for another local ride. Again I set off from Delves Lane at Consett and headed for the crossroads on the old railway line. At the crossroads I turned right and headed down the Derwent Walk. The last three times I have done this leg the viaducts have been closed further down but all of them were open today. The line was damp in places after the overnight rain but was not too bad. There was very few others out on the way down but busier coming back up. Once I reached Derwenthaugh Park I did the top loop then headed back to Consett. Once back at the crossroads I turned right and over Hownsgill viaduct before heading back to Delves Lane. All in just over 25 miles in 2hrs 3mins with 1250ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Yesterday afternoon I removed the 29" x 2.2" Hunt wheelset and fitted my 700c x 47 Hunt wheels for a change. They are faster rolling but less comfortable and I was running the pressures too high today!