9 May 2026

Fresh Goodies - Cyclist Magazine Issue 174 May & Romneys Kendal Mint Cake

 


I am subscribed to Cycling Plus magazine but when that comes to an end and not re subscribing as I have gone right off the that magazine. I have started buying Cyclist magazine instead and the quality and articles in the magazine appeals more to my type of reading. Yes not all the articles are to my taste but they have defo stepped up their game. 



When we were in Bishop Auckland the other weekend for the food festival we called in past the Army Store which sells all sorts and Arran wanted some Kendal mint cake. They sell these small bars which are ideal for your pocket or bike bag! They sell three different types white, brown & chocolate 65p each. They also sell the bigger bars. 

8 May 2026

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. 




























7 May 2026

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- 








6 May 2026

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.