Fresh Goodies - Topeak Tubi Valve Cleaner, G16 Tubeless Repair Kit & Cannondale KnurlCork Bar Tape

 

I don't carry a tubeless plug kit with me but times have changed. I have opted for this one from Topeak who make three different sized kits for road, gravel and mtb. I opted for the gravel size. I don't use the Topeak Tubi mounting systems but the cartridge size is an ideal samll size to keep in my Silca Bora Americano pouch. The only down side it does not have a small knife to cut the excess plug off. 

RRP £21.99 and I paid £20.88 from Westbrook Cycles inc 24hr P&P. Merlin Cycles now have them in for £14.99!  

Next on my list was a valve cleaner tool as some of my tubeless vales are blocking up with old sealant and hard to pump up the tyres. This tool is stop in my tool box at home, I cannot see any need to carry it out on the bike. The quality looks to very good and I have a valves to try it out on. The actual size is tiny. 

RRP £12.99 and I paid £12.35 from Westbrook Cycles inc 24hr P&P. 

Last but not least is another roll of Cannondale bar tape. I am not sure who manufacturers the tape for them but I have been using this model for many years now and is by far my favourite bar tape. I have gone for plain boring black again. This is going into my spare stock as I only had one roll left. 

RRP £18.00 and I paid £17.09 from Westbrook Cycles inc 24hr P&P. 

As ever there will be a follow up Fresh Goods Sundays when I have fitted / satrt using the items. 

A lovely sunny ride up to Parkhead / Crawleyside & Waskerley Reservoir n back

 

Finally the weekend and time to get back out on my bike. The forecast was wall to wall sunshine for the whole day and they did not get that one wrong. I waited until around 8am to go out to let the sun burn through properly. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park and headed for the crossroads at Consett. It was a fresh start (-5 degrees) with plenty of frozen puddles from the previous days rain. I like it when the tracks are frozen solid, makes it much easier going. On the downside when its sunny and temperatures rise it turns the frozen tracks to pea soup / black freezing cold slop. At Consett I turned left and over the viaduct up to Parkhead, its was lovely and quiet up there with patches of snow left at the sides of the track. I continued on through the old quarry to Crawleyside where I turn and head back. I had a quick drink and a energy bar and headed back down. By now the temperature had risen to +7 degrees with a slight tailwind. I called in past the reservoir for a look around and it was full to the brim and over flowing. The tracks were a lot busier going back down and softer under tyre now. What a great day for a spin out. All in just over 40miles in 3hrs 3mins with 16000ft of climbing. 

Enjoy a few sunny snaps from the ride and hopefully more soon. 

A spin around Weardale in the sun enjoying the views

 

Well the weather has finally changed and for the better. I was working in upper Weardale today and finished work early so parked up at Frosterley on the way home for a loop out. I had my Creo 2 gravel bike as I was planning on doing some off road mixed in with some country back lanes but I ended up keeping on the tarmac for the full loop. The roads were lovely and quiet despite the weather being fantastic, I thought there would be more people out n about. All in my loop was just under 21 miles from Frosterley up to St Johns Chapel and back again with just under a 1000ft of climbing. I took it nice and steady and enjoyed the views up and down the valley. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc a Fresh Goodies Blog.