Fresh Goods Sunday - Findra Merino Trail Beanie

 

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RRP £40 and I paid £26 less discount = £ xx inc free p&p

Manufacturers burb - 

Perfect for running, walking or wearing under a helmet cycling, our Merino Trail Beanie is made from ultra-soft ethically sourced 100% non-mulesed Australian merino wool.

Lightweight, breathable and fast drying, merino wicks moisture away from the skin, regulating your core body temperature naturally. Designed to keep you warm while letting excess heat escape, the Merino Trail Beanie will keep you fresh, dry and comfortable whatever the weather.

Stylish as well as practical, the beanie features a contrasting colour band with subtle FINDRA branding.

Key Features

• Made in the UK from 100% ethically sourced non-mulesed Australian merino wool.
• Seamlessly knitted for chafe-free comfort.
• Lightweight and super packable for maximum warmth to weight ratio.
• Contrasting colour interior and band for a touch of style.
• One size.
• Unisex.
• Machine washable and easy to care for.

Composition

• Sustainably sourced 100% non-mulesed Australian merino wool.

Country of origin

• Made in the UK.

Second spin out on my Creo 2 to Bishop Auckland on the old railway line n back

 

Back out again this morning after a day and half's rest from my last ride. It was alot warmer today and less wind than Mondays ride. I hoped onto the old railway line at Sleetburn Lane and headed for Bishop. It is mainly flat and took it very steady again. There loads of other walkers, horses, cyclists, runners, dog walkers out. The sun tried quite a few times to poke through the clouds. I had a break when I reached Bishop Auckland market place before heading back to Brandon. I took my first Creo 2 again with the 2.2" tyres for comfort. All in just under 19 miles in 1hr 30mins with 480ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

PS- the bridge is still closed from Brompark Picnic Area to Brandon. It has gone well over the eight weeks and no signs to say when they are reopening it. 

First post op test ride on the old railway line to Hownsgill Viaduct from Langley Park n back

 

Its been a month exactly since I have been out for a bike ride. Today was the test ride day to see if I could manage a very steady spin up the old railway line from Langley Park to Hownsgill viaduct n back without too much pain etc. The sun was shining for the whole ride and I did not realise I had a strong tailwind all the way up to Consett. I took my Creo 2 with the 2.2" tyres at a low'ish pressure for some extra comfort. The lines have dried back out after the recent rain and mainly dusty again. There was a few others out n about enjoying the sun but not too busy, not that it made any difference as I was not in a rush. I have a drink snack stop half way up and on the viaduct. All in 19 miles in 1hr 35mins with 715ft of climbing. God it is nice to be back out on the bike but I am paying the price for it now as I typing this. Below are a few snaps and a short video clip, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Restrap Canister Handlebar Bag (Black)

 

If you have followed by blog over the years you may have noticed that I use this Restrap bar bag on a couple of my bikes. The first one was the original design from Restrap bought in 2020. The second one I bought 2025 was the revised design and has been in use on my Creo2 for a good few years now. When I bought the S-Works Creo2  I swapped over the original bag from my first Creo1 bike and is still going strong. I noticed they were in the sale at Merlin Cycles so decided to treat the new bike to a new bag. So this is my third bag now and the same as the second one  with the cord to wrap around the headtube / cables to stop it from swinging upwards. They still come in three colours - black, orange and green. The rrp has crept up a little from £44.99 to £49.99 to £52.99. The bag does not take long to fit to the handlebars and once its on I never take it off. It is a perfect size and does everything I need it to. Same size main compartment and a mesh pocket at each end of the bag. Same tab on the front for a small led light which I use in the darker months of year. I have had one issue with original bag where the plastic buckle broke. I sent it back and  they replaced the buckle, I have never had any problems since. 

RRP £52.99 exc p&p and I paid £39.22 inc 48hr p&p from Merlin Cycles. Discount 26%. 

Manufacturers blurb - 

This spacious yet compact bag is the ideal accompaniment for day rides. Elasticated side pockets and the unique canister shape mean you’ll easily have room for tools, tubes and extra clothes.

The Canister Bag features a rear shock cord retention strap along with a Hypalon loop to attach a front light, which is perfect for early starts or late finishes.

Handmade in our Yorkshire workshop from 100% waterproof textured nylon outer and finished with the classic vegan-friendly PU leather Restrap label.
Weight - 120g
Capacity - 1.5L

TEXTURED NYLON OUTER FABRICS
YKK AQUAGUARD™ ZIP
EXTERNAL MESH POCKETS
HYPALON LIGHT MOUNT
HEAD TUBE BUNGEE RETENTION

Restrap products carry a lifetime guarantee to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. We stand by our products and will cover the cost to repair or replace any defective product.

Fresh Goodies - Stans Tubeless Sealant 1000ml & Catch up with me & S-Works Creo2

 

First fresh goodies in a long time but I had a £20 Confused.com voucher to use up at Halfords. My last bottle of Stan's is getting low so thought it would be a good idea to use the voucher to get the biggest 1000ml bottle cheap. The rrp is £36 and Halfords had it in the sale for £26.33 less the voucher I paid £6.33 delivered to my local store. I ordered it on the 9th Aug and got a call to say it was in stock at 4.45pm on the 15th Aug (6 days). This has now gone into my spare stock to be used when my other bottle is empty. 

You may have noticed I have not posted any riding blogs over the last three weeks or so as I have been for my operation. I am back out of the hospital and recovering from home. Recovery is slow but making small steps and most of the really bad pains have gone. Still on medication etc for another week and get all my results from my surgeon next week. Hoping to start slinging my leg over the saddle soon! 

Here is my two Creo 2's. The S-Works is running 700x40c tyres and the other is running 29"x2.2" tyres. The rear wheel was running slightly out of true on the new S-Works so I booked it in for its first free service at Infinity Cycles. My son dropped it off  on the 1st Aug and after a few phones calls to the shop asking for updates I found out there was an issue with the rear rim. Specialized have sent out a replacement rim, spokes and nipples for the rear wheel to be rebuilt on the existing hub. 18 days later I have not heard anything further!