2014 has flew over and we are starting to make plans for 2015 - holidays, cycling events etc. The weather on the whole hasent been too bad for cycling but taking over 2 months out to transform my sisters house and then going in for surgery has knocked my mileage down this year. Our easter and some of our summer hols in Peebles were a wash out and our Lakes break in Oct was also a wash out, Lakes in Feb was also not the best with very mixed weather but our break in Berwick was drier but very windy cold! The miles i have done in general have been very enjoyable miles. The purchase / build of the Krampgrease has been a highlight and is probably the most enjoyable/comfortable bike i currently own. Hopefully the 29"+ will be on a few more longer epic rides in 2015. Also planning a few more road rides up in Weardale, North Yorkshire, Lakes and hopefully in the borders on my new Cannondale Nano build.
The MBE Autumn Series had great turnouts each week and we were very busy over the week running upto the start, the four weeks of events then a week of aftermath clean up / paperwork etc. The six weeks were a killer and burnt me out but we were so pleased that everybody enjoyed the series and all the series finishers went away with some goodies. The only negative thing was the problem with the local youths, the first week they kept snapping the tapes, second week was better and they got bored after that. It was a shame as we put so much work into pre planning the courses and marking them out on the night. Springboard were not interested in moving them on as it was on Sunderland Council land, the police finally had a word with them but that was only after they had caused vandalism to trees. Not to worry its all part of the fun @ Hetton Lyons Country Park.
Time allowing i will hopefully get a few rides in over the festive period but im at work for most of it. Hope you have all been good boys / girls this year and santa drops off some bike bling on the big day! failling that im sure the on line retailers will be trying to tease you out of your last pound with special offers etc.
Below are a few photos covering the years activities. All the best and enjoy.
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| First 50+ mile ride on the Krampgrease |
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| One of our favourite spots on our night loop |
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| Ride over The Stang |
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| First ride on the Dale Nano |
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| Was going to ride to Alston but ran out of steam - blowing a gale |
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| Out on one of out evening rides in the summer |
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| first snow a couple of weeks ago |
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| minus -6 degrees a week ago now its 12 degrees all night and all day |
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| A damp ride down to Metro Centre direction on the Eastway |
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| First big ride on my new Nano over Crawleyside |
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| What you looking at |
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| Tandem ride with Arran - its hard work! |
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| Family to from South Shields to Rocker & back |
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| Time for wheelie practice on the beach |
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| Did not use the Dale Super X much this year, too busy on the fat bikes |
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| Night rides with the Lupine lights |
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| Trip out to Hamsterley Forest |
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| this is what i live for, singletrack over the moors |
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| trying the 5" bud out on the front |
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| A cold & windy ride along the Cinder Track Whitby at the start of the year |
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| Refreshment stop @ Knitsley Farm Shop / Cafe |
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| Ice cream stop in Durham times by loads ! |
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| Family ride along the Cinder track but in warmer and less windy conditions this time |
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| cracking clear views over Robin Hoods Bay etc |
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| Weight in time with the new hope/rabbot hole wheels |
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| Ride from Berwick to Holy Island - again overcast, windy & cold |
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| Hamsterley Forest back in Feb |
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| Summer Hols - first time for Arran on the red @ inners |
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| no probs |
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| brotherley love |
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| Damp ride on Glentress red |
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| call in past our fav butchers on the way back to static |
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| Jane completed her 100th PArk Run - well done love |
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| MTB Marathon - complete was out |
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| and we are back & soaked to the bone |
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| collect our t shirts and time for a change into dry clothes |
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| called in past 7 staines Newcastleton on the way home - hottest ride of the hols |
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| One last icecream - only sunny day we had |
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| Trip upto Kielder early in the year to try out the Salsa Carbon Beargrease |
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| and yes it was wet & windy! |
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| Whinlatter - Feb school hol week |
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| just got back from the North Face red route and it stopped raining - typical |
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| Nutcracker XC racing time |
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| Easter Hols - Glentress and still raining |
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| did not stop me from getting big air time |
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| First time Arran has done the full red route |
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| Oct Hols - Kirkstone Pass - complete wash out - no riding |
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| Arran enjoying his offroad fun on his mukluk |
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| Eastway enjoying some offroad terrain |
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| Family ride to Parkhead Cafe & back |
I usually ride through to the cx race at Temple Park, South Shields on Boxing day and this year i did the same, Richy led the way through to Shields on chilling morning with patches of ice in places and over cast. Once nearer to the coast the frost/ice disappeared but still a nippy wind. Once we hit Roker it was up the coast before heading in land to the Sports Centre. There was one shock when we turned the corner and Seaburn beach was packed full freezing cold people that just had a dip in the North Sea, it was that busy even the coast road was closed to traffic. Some did not even have a change of clothes and anything warm to wrap up in, just plain crazy. 
