Another Sunny Winters local ride

Todays was a small local mainly off road loop taking in a couple of old railway lines and one linking road section. It was minus -4 degrees going to work at 6.30am but the forecast was for lovely winters sun later. The forecast was right and sun did come out but it also melted some sections of the lines so they were soft / wet going in places. On the top there was a covering of snow / ice, see pics below. The lines were lovely and quiet with just a few other users out n aboot. Hopefully staying dry for tomorrow pm as I have a 2+ hour hike planned. Forecast for Friday and Saturday not good at all, time to get back on the turbo again! Below are a few snaps from todays ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon -

Saturday morning spin to Bishop n back

After two good days of sun shine it was back to overcast / cloud for this mornings ride to Bishop. The temperature was around 9 degrees but felt colder in the wind. The lines are still mainly dry and fast going with only a couple of wet sections but that will soon change with the rain tonight and all day tomorrow! We just took it steady along the old railway to Bishop, over the via duct and Jane went to tearooms whilst me and Angus headed up to the other end of the town to the pie shop next to Inspiral Cycle's but they were closed so made a quick dash to the tearooms to meet up with Jane. They have changed the menu and have stopped doing the breakfast special deal so pricy now. Jane said here toasted muffins had also shrunk in size, shame but it may be time to look for a new café stop! We also called in past House of Smudge to say hello before heading back over the viaduct to pick up the old railway line back home. There was quiet a few other people out and about enjoying the fresh air. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon -

Over nighter at Seaham Hall Hotel

Me and Jane had an over night'er at Seaham Hall Hotel. We have only stayed once before but have been to Spa quite a few times. They had a cheap deal on for most of the dates in January to try and fill the rooms so we took advantage of the deal. We used the spa from midday on the day of arrival then you can book into the hotel from 3am onwards. Once we got unpacked and sorted we headed of down to the sea front to Downeys for sit in fish and chips. What a cracking meal we had, very good value for money and we were both stuffed! You have to be rich to drink in the bar at the hotel so we headed back up to the room and had our own little mini bar/fridge! Breakfast the next morning was way better this time compared to the last breakfast we had. Once we rolled out the dinning room it was back into the spa to try and burn / sweat some of it back off!

Fantastic winter sun's local offroad loop

Woke upto a hard frost, minus -4 degrees in Durham and Angus siad it was minus-6.4 degrees in Consett where he was working. After a few hours day light come in and the sun came out = time for a ride. I had the e mtb in the back of the van so took that for a local offroad loop which was frozen solid! Talking of frozen solid so was my water bottle! I had four layers on my top and was warm enough but wished i had packed my thicker winter tights as my thighs were burning with teh cold. The sun was amazing and made the ride really enjoyable. I have noticed on the last couple of rides the freezing cold weather reduces the bosch battery life! All in 23 miles later and i was smiling from ear to ear. Time to re charge the battery and check over the front Magura brake as the lever is nearly back to the bars.
Enjoy some pics below and hopefully more soon -