Early morning sunny blast from the Lambton Worm upto Rowley n back down

 

Another sunny start to the day equals a ride for me. The forecast was cloudy and overcast all morning to midday then rain all afternoon but as I say it was sunny first thing. I hopped onto the old railway line / C2C at the Lambton Worm and headed for Consett. It was lovely and quiet on the way up with only a few others out early doors. My legs were feeling tired at the start but soon warmed up on the climb to Consett. The wind has died right down and felt a lot warmer. Once at Consett I continued straight on over Howsgill Viaduct and up to to the carpark after crossing the A68 where it is closed for 2 weeks. At this point I turned and headed back down taking in a couple of short road loops. All in just over 30 miles in 2hrs 5mins with 1100ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below from the ride and hopefully more soon, not tomorrow though as we have 24 hours of continuous rain of forecasted again. 

Local road ride taking in Moorsley climb

 

I decided to go out on my Creo 1 road bike after a lazy start to the day after a rather stressful day yesterday. I decided to leave it until after the rush hour for the traffic to die down a little and the sun come back out which was a bonus. It was a local road ride heading over to Lumley, West Rainton, Pittington's, Moorsley, Hetton Le Hole, Fence houses, Chester Le Street and back home. The roads were not too buy but I had a complete idiots of drivers who both nearly knocked me off. These were the two closets shaves I have had for a very long time and puts me off from going out on the roads. Not too worry apart from that the roads are in a terrible condition especially over in the Sunderland district side of the route. Today I dressed up with more and thicker layers on the top as there was a biting cold strong wind. Below are a few snaps from the ride, all in 28.5miles in 1hr 53mins with 1650ft of climbing. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goodies - Fizik Solocush Tacky 2.7mm Bartape * Madison Roam Isoler 4 Season Regular Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer

 

After giving all my bikes a good wash, polish, once over the other week I noticed that some of the bar tape on the drop bar bikes has seen better days. I have a spare roll of Cannondale tape for my Creo 2 when the cheapo yellow Deda tape gives up. The red tape on my Creo 1 is looking worse for wear close up and the blue tape on my Creo 1 gravel is not the best either. The tape on my Canndale Synapse is also not looking too good either close up. So I found this Fizik tape in the sale at Team Cycles. Its not the 3.5mm thick version but the thinner 2.7mm road model. 

RRP £44.99 and I paid £20.99. 

Then I also found this Maidson baselayer in the sale as well. My Alpkit one needs to go in the bin and I was looking for a darker coloured one rather than white. Again this was from Team Cycles at Gateshead in the sale. 

RRP £24.99 and I paid £13.00 

As ever more on these in an up coming Fresh Goods Sunday after some use. 

Fresh Goodies - Specialized Presta Inner Tube (700x32-50c) 60mm valve, Schwable G-ONE R TLR 700x40c Tyres

 

After the blow out on my Creo 1 gravel bike with the Gravelking tyre I only had one spare tube on the bike. After getting back home and looking in my garage I realised I only had one other spare tube so time for a new spare tube. This size 700c - 40ish c with a 60mm valve is hard to find locally. When we were at Harrogate I called in past the Specialized Concept store and they had two left! 

RRP £7.00

Following on from my disaster with the rear tyre on my Creo 1 the other week I used up the last spare new Gravelking tyre I had. I had a quick google around to find some discounted gravel tyres in 42/43 size and most manufacturers don't do this size now its either 40 or 45c. The clearance would be too tight with 45mm so had a look on CDNE bike sales on Facebook to see what was kicking about locally. I found these which were removed from a bike from new. I got them for £45 inc the p&p so just less than £40 for the tyres from a lovely gentleman in Eaglescliffe. These are now my spare tyres for the Creo 1 gravel bike. 

As ever there will be a Fresh Goods Sunday Blog on the items once they have been fitted and used.