Early morning local ride inc Croxdale Estate etc

 

After a busy weekend of non cycling activities I was back out on the bike this morning. There was a lovely sunrise so I decided to get up and out early doors. I decided to do a route which is all local that I have not done for a long time. It is a mix of old railway lines, singletracks, dusty lanes and tarmac. I took the Creo 2 gravel and it never skipped a beat. The sun was shinning for the whole ride and there was very little wind. It was nippy to start with but soon warmed up lovely. It was lovely and quiet for most of the ride but a little busier coming home via Durham city centre. All in just over 26 miles in 2hrs12mins with 1300ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Park Tool DW-2 Clutch Wrench (Specialized Creo Headset Spanner)

 

When I bought my first Specialized Creo and needed to replace the lower headset bearing you need a 3mm open ended very thin spanner. You get one in your manuals box with the bike which fits perfectly but I come across a one from ParkTool so decided to buy it in case I loose the other one. Recently I had to replace my lower headset bearing on my Specialized Creo 2 and the special locking / adjustment system is the same as the Creo 1. So I decided to get it out of my tool box and whip it into action. I have never used the tool for the intended use on Shimano clutch rear mechs but is always there just in case. The other end has a 5.5mm open end. As ever the rrp is eye watering for such a small basic tool so shop around for a bargain. 

RRP £7.99 and I paid £4.23 from Ebay 

Manufactures Blurb - 

•  Small, thin wrench with 5.5mm and 3mm openings
• Designed to fit the rear derailleur clutch tension adjuster on Shimano XT, SLX, Deore, Saint and Zee rear Shadow Plus (+) derailleurs and all previous Shadow Plus models

Frosty morning from Cox Green around the coast to Souter Lighthouse n back

 

After yesterdays blow out on the rear tyre it was time to have another go on the Creo 1 gravel bike. A new Gravelking tyre fitted, tubeless rim tape repaired and fresh Stans sealant in and the old girl is ready for a few more miles yet. 

There was a good overnight frost with the temperature dipping down to 1 degrees. There was plenty of frost on the windscreens and the grass was white but the sun was blazing away. I missed nearly all the freezing patchy fog and bit burned through to a lovely morning. I parked up at Cox Green and hopped straight onto the C2C do to Sunderland, Roker and up the coast to Souter lighthouse. I was steady away enjoying the weather and there was no freezing cold wind eithe which made a huge difference. There was loads of others out n about early doors enjoying the sun. No mishaps on the Creo 1 on todays ride thank the lords. There is still a diversion half way along the new resurfaced track at  the back of Washington/A19, still no signs of fully reopening but looks completed. Shame it is not a smooth ride, very bumpy considering it is band new! Anyway all in just over 25 miles in 1hr 59mins with just under 1000ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below and hopefully more soon-