21 July 2026

Back out getting a few steady dusty miles on the S-Works Creo 2

 


Well I am back out again but not for long. After returning to work full time and not feeling the best I have not been out on the bike for just over two weeks now. We still have had very little rain and the lines and grass etc are all bone dry, dusty and rock hard. I opted for a short steady out n back spin to Consett to call in past the bike shop up there to see Sean Scotney. It has been too long since I have popped in to say hello etc and catch up. On the way out Big AL was going in so had a catch up with him as well. I did the road loop on the way back down to Lanchester to mix it up. Nothing daft as I cannot afford to fall off and have any broken bones etc. Second surgery is coming up very soon. There was quite a few others out enjoying the summer holiday break with the littleun's. All in just over 20 miles in 1hr 30min with 1000ft of climbing. Below are a few overcast and cloudy snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 













12 July 2026

Sunny cold early morning Sunday local gravel loop on the S-Works Creo

 


Well it was time for another ride before going back to work tomorrow. I was up early and the sun was shinning but it was cool with some overnight rain so the air was damp compared to the last week.  I set off down the A167 cycle track in a headwind to Chester Le Street / Birtley to pick up the C2C old railway line. I had a steady climb up to Consett / Crossroads via a road loop over to Pontop Pike transmitters. There was very few others out early doors which was good thing as I wanted to get my head down on the downhill to Broompark picnic area. By now there was few others out n about enjoying the sun. I dropped onto the road after Broompark and down to the Stonebridge, Nevilles Cross, Whitesmocks and back home. All in just under 38 miles in 2hrs 31mins with 1500ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below from the loop and hopefully more soon - 






























11 July 2026

Fresh Goodies - Schwalbe G-ONE R RaceGuard 700 x 40c, Restrap Canister Bag Black & Man Cave tyre fitting

 


When I bought my new Specialized S-Works Creo I swapped the factory tyres for a pair of these Schwalbe ones for £45 inc p&p from CDNE bike sales on Facebook. The third ride in I got a cut to the rear tyre, I tired to patch it with a tyre boot but that failed so ordered another one from Merlin Cycles. RRP 49.99 and I paid £32.52 inc 48hr p&p. 32% discount. 






Next up for my S-Works Creo was new bar bag. I had removed the one from my original Creo 1 bike and swapped it over but this was the original version with no loop on the rear to stop it from swinging around on rough tracks. Merlin Cycles had them in the sale so I decided to order a new one so it matches the bar bag on my original Creo 2. 
RRP is now £52.99 and I paid £39.22 inc 48 hr p&p. 26% discount. 







Then it was time for mancave time, fit the new Specialized Renegade 29x2.1" S-Works tyre to my rear wheel on my original Creo2 as that was spitting tubeless sealant out on my last ride. 
Then it was time to swap over the rear tyre on my S-Works Creo 2 and bin the tyre that had done less than 50 miles, ggrr. 
Swapped over the Restrap bar bags from version 1 to a new version 2 model. Now both bikes are ready for a few more miles.