A cold, muddy & wet loop to Birtley, Consett, Bearpark on the Creo 2

 

I did not get out yesterday as it was forecasted rain for 24 hours but it dried up mid morning so decided to give the bike a wash, dry, lube and charge up. I also degreased/cleaned the Ritchey spd pedals and adjusted the four tension adjusters. I also removed the axle end caps and inserted fresh grease. This is why I use Ritchey old school spd pedals, re grease them twice a year and they last for years. 

Anyway back to today, I woke up and it had stopped raining so hoped onto the bike and headed to Chester Le Street / Birtley on the cycle track / lane. I joined onto the C2C headed for Consett. This section was mainly mud free and quiet. At the crossroads I turned left and headed to to Baxster's Farm after Bearpark. There was long sections of mud, massive puddles and cold miserable slop. On the plus side the sun did try and  burn through and temperature shot up from 12 to 16 degrees. Then I hit the roads on the way back inc a sprint down Pity Me bypass. By now the bike was dirtier than what it was before I washed it yesterday, not to worry. Below are few snaps from the 35.5mile loop in 2hrs 31min with 1400ft of climbing. enjoy and hopefully more soon inc a Fresh Goodies Blog. 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Enduro Bearings MR15267 - LLU / LLB ABEC 5 -15 x 26 x 7 (Part 3)

 

Moving onto the final part of Fresh Goods Sunday No3 - the bearings. When I removed the bearings from the front hub they had the code/size on the seal which was still readable. After some googling I found out they are a common size and nothing special so the prices were ok. I have gone down the cheapo bearings which I have found in the past sometimes don't last that long so opted for some good quality Enduro Bearings. These were a couple of quid cheaper on line each but by the time you add in the p&p it come to the same or slightly more that the rrp from a LBS. I gave Infinity Cycles workshop a ring and they had them in stock so called in past when I was in the area and job sorted.  I checked them against the originals and they were the same size. The black seal goes to the inside of the hub and the light blue seal to the outside. I cleaned the hub after removing the old ones, end caps and the spacer. Applied a light smear of new grease on hub where the bearings press into and on the back of the end caps. Refitted the wheel and no more shake, rattle n roll. Only time will tell how long they last. On that note the bearings in my first Hunt wheel set are still ok which has done way more miles and used during the winter compared the second set of wheels. 

RRP £11.99 and I paid £11.99 each from Infinity Cycles 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

Enduro Bearings MR 15267 LLU/LLB - ABEC5 Bearing - 15mm x 26mm x 7mm

Brand: Enduro Bearings

Code:EB9838

The MR 15267 LLU/LLB ABEC 5 bearing is a radial bearing typically used in hubs, with the versatility to serve as a pivot bearing—although the MAX-type variant is better suited for suspension applications. Featuring a deep-groove race design and Grade 10 precision balls, this bearing offers smooth, reliable rotation with enhanced durability.

Equipped with dual-lip, full-contact LLU seals facing outward, it is built to withstand the rigours of daily use and harsh environmental conditions. The bearing is pre-filled with 90% Mobil XHP 22 high-pressure, waterproof grease, ensuring long-lasting performance and protection from moisture and contaminants.

Enduro Bearings are available in a variety of materials including High-Carbon Chromium Steel, 440C Stainless Steel, Ceramic-Hybrid, and XD-15 with ceramic or stainless steel balls. All bearings are designed with deep groove races to accommodate larger balls, optimising load capacity and longevity. The dual-lip seals fit into a micro-groove creating a labyrinth seal system, providing superior protection from dirt and water ingress.

• Bearing Code: MR 15267

• Dimensions: 15mm (inner diameter) x 26mm (outer diameter) x 7mm (width)

• ABEC Rating: 5

• Clearance: CN (looser press-fit clearance)

• Seals: LLU (labyrinth with rubber lip) / LLB (labyrinth light-contact)

• Grease: Mobil XHP 22, high-pressure and waterproof

• Static Load: 390 lbf (1.73 kN)

• Weight: 11.2g

• Typical Applications: Hubs, pivots

Ride back home from Spenny through Hett, Sunderland Bridge etc

 

After yesterdays dog sitting and two walks with it was time to get out on the bike today. We had to go food shopping ta Spenny so I had a ride back from there. I crossed through Spenny and out and over to Hett village then down through Sunderland Bridge. I crossed over the old bridge then along the bridleway under the viaduct and up the climb to Brandon. Here I picked up the old railway line to Broompark picnic are then along to Bearpark. From there I hoped onto the road and pushed the tarmac all the way home as some speed. All in 15 miles in 1hr 5mins with 700ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc Part 3 of the Fresh Goods Sunday blog @ 4pm. 

A mixed terrain ride on lower / sheltered ground from the wind.

 

Another day and another ride. After yesterdays wind battering ride I wanted to stick to low level ground / sheltered tracks as the wind was still very strong. I hoped onto the cycle track down to Chester Le Street then out to South Pelaw to pick the C2C at the Lambton Worm. From there I dropped down to Cox Green. The sun was in and out but it felt a lot warmer with the Garmin climbing to just under 20 degrees. At Cox Green I crossed the river and headed back towards Lambton Estate then Bournmoor, Woodlea, Lumley, Finchale Priory then a small loop before heading back home. There was quite a few others out n about here and there. My legs were feeling rather empty today so the climb out of Finchale Priory to Frankland was a killer on the return leg. All in just over 23 miles in 1hr 50mins with 1100ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-