Back out on a mixed gravel / tarmac loop enjoying the climbs around Roddymoor / Billy Row and Crook

After a couple of days off my bikes I was free again this morning for a another loop taking in County Durham's old railway lines and quiet roads. I was on the saddle by 7.30am and joined onto the old railway line at Bearpark. From there I nipped along to Broompark Picnic Area junction where I turned left and headed for Willington. At the COOP I picked up the road to Crook market place then around to Roddymoor, Billy Row and up the climb to do a loop around Stanley Crook. I hoped back onto the old railway line again and down the descent to Waterhouses, Esh Winning, Ushaw Moor and back to Broompark. From there it was back to Bearpark. The lines were mainly lovely and quiet first thing with the Garmin hovering around 5 to 7 degrees. There was a strong headwind heading out but flew back down to Broompark. Below are a few snaps from the 23.50 miles in 1hr 50mins with 1350ft of climbing. I have swapped back over onto my HUNT 700c x 47mm wheels again as I received all the tools to swap over the bearings. More on this is upcoming Fresh Goodies Blogs. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

A damp and part sunny local gravel loop on my Creo 2

 

Back out again on my Creo 2 bike this morning on another local regular loop I do. The tracks n trails were damp under tyre after the heavy rain last night and early morning. No ground frost today but the head wind was strong on the way out. The sun did not really come out until half way on the return leg of the loop. It was lovely when it come out and warmed me up for the last few miles. There was hardly a sole out n about so not as much slowing down / speeding back up. I feed all the horses at Bishop Auckland as they were all near the fence at the bottom. Below are a few snaps from the 24 mile route in 1hr 52mins with 950ft of climbing. Enjoy and hopefully more soon. 

PS the tools have arrived for removing and fitting the new bearings I have for my HUNT front wheel. 

Another Sunny offroad spin from the Lambton Worm down to Sunderland n back

 

Another early morning grass frost but not as cold as yesterday and I went out an hour or so later so it felt a lot warmer in the sun shine = less layers to put on / wear. On that front I have swapped over onto my normal spd shoes, new Assos socks and new Assos bib knickers for todays outing. I joined onto the old C2C railway line at the Lambton Worm and headed for Sunderland. I read somewhere that the diversion under the new bridge has finally been reopened after 2 1/2 years and the section of resurfaced track was open. Well the new tack is 2/3rds open with a diversion for the last part and yes the old track towards the Glass Centre around the back of Stadium has finally been reopened. On the downside it is still littered with broken glass and I got a cut in the rear tyre. My new Topeak tubeless repair kit sorted that out after getting sprayed from head to toe in Stans. I wanted to go around to Roker but after repairing the tyre my head was not in it. I headed back up the line to South Pelaw. All in 23.50 miles in 1hr 48mins with 950ft of climbing. Again enjoy the sunny snaps and hopefully more soon -