First proper test for the Bowmans Pilgrims Gravel bike

Well me & Angus set off on a route that was a mix of road and old railway line so I could give the Bowman's Pilgrims a good test out on mixed terrain. We headed off over the back way to join the old railway line at Baxter's Farm then onto the line to Esh Winning, over the top then drop down into Crook to pick up the road to Wolsingham, Frosterley then Stanhope. At Stanhope we had a drink break down at the ford before heading up Crawleyside. Once we reached the last bungalow on the left we turned off right through the sand quarry to join onto the C2C line at the café. From there we had a massive tail wind nearly all the way down to the Consett junction. At the crossroads we turned right to take the old line down to Lanchester, Langley Park, Bearpark, back to Baxters Farm then back home. It was a good 50+ miler and a great mix off terrain for the Pilgrims which it took well. The weather stayed dry, even the mid morning rain never came but it did go very dark at one point. The sun burnt through on the later sections reaching 24degrees by the time we got back in. I did lock the back wheel up a couple of times on steep descents / gravel topping, you have to allow more braking distance compared to Angus CX bike but mine was way quicker on the smoother sections. I have solved the creaking bb/chainset which turned out to be the rear mech hanger creaking! but it has another knock now to investigate.

warm but cloudy

just come through Wolsingham and into  Frosterley - lovely village

Stanhope high street

open air pool is now open

but the ford is still closed to vehicles

still walk over the stones though

onto the lower slopes of Crawleyside

heading towards the cattle grid

and onto the open moor section

turned right and through the old sand quarry

past the cafe and heading towards Consett

very fast with a tailwind 30+mph!

then the sun came out

Hownsgill viaduct

Consett crossroads

and back to Baxters Farm junction