Local Gravel loop to Stanley Crook, Crook, Willington n back

We have had some very strong winds, 40+mph over the last few days but it has finally died down to around 15-20mph gusts now! So I planned a mainly gravel loop taking in the old railways lines to try and keep out of the wind as much as possible. It was overcast / cloudy and cold. The Garmin was reading around 11 degrees for the whole ride. The lines were fine and quiet and they are still mainly dry and fast going not that my legs felt like going fast for some reason. All in 20.5 miles in 1hr 30 mins and climbed just under 1500ft. Enjoy the few snaps below and hopefully more soon -

It was that dark I had to wear my make it sunny glasses

Fresh Goods Sunday - Genuine Innovations Side of Bacon, Tubeless Plug Refill

 

I have only ever had to repair one tubeless tyre before and that was a massive 29x2.6" mtb tyre on the Cube E bike. I did not find it the most easiest of jobs and the Weldtite plug seemed to be far to big for the tool and very hard to push in through the hole in the tyre and extract the tool. When we were up in bonnie wee Scotland last year I found these smaller plugs made by Genuine Innovations. As of yet thank god I have not had to use one until this week. I got a puncture on the rear Gravelking and the Stans sealed then did not seal so decided to fit a Side of Bacon! Pulling the plug through the tool was way easier and inserting it into the tyre was also easier. I put on loads of glue and trimmed off the excessive after the glue had dried. I checked it a few days later and the tyre was still holding pressure. Then on Fridays ride I got a puncture on the rear near to the end of the ride so just kept going and the Stans soon sealed it. Yesterday I washed, dried, charged and oiled the bike. I checked the rear tyre to see if there was still air coming out, could not find anything, so I looked for the plug I had put in and it had pulled nearly all the way out. I blew the tyre back up and it was leaking again so fitted a massive plug and that has fixed the hole. I must admit I am pretty new to the tubeless game and hopefully I will not have anymore cuts / holes that the Stans cannot seal!

Ps I have ordered another Gravelking tyre for a spare just in case!

RRP £8.99 and I paid £8.99 from I Cycles Innerleithan

 

Manufacturers blurb -

Feeling hungry after repairing those flats? Fill your plate with 20 of our top selling rope plugs! When paired with our Tubeless Tackle Kit (#G20439) or Tubeless Repair Kit (#G2650), you can plug pesky punctures in seconds and cycle confident for many rides to come.
Eggs and toast not included.

• 20 rope plugs
• Construction: Tough, vulcanized butyl rubber

Size: 0.125" W x 2" H

Weight: 1.5 grams

Part #G20452

 

 

Early Friday Morning Sunny Gravel loop to Bishop / Spenny way

After yesterdays day trip out to a rather warm Whitby my legs were not feeling the best but had to get a ride in as the forecast is looking like near wall to wall rain from this avo until about Tuesday, hopefully not. It was cooler this morning first thing but it soon warmed up to nearly 21 degrees on the Garmin but there was a stiff breeze in most places which was lovely. I headed over to Baxsters Farm the back way then straight onto the old railway to Bishop. Out of Bishop to pick up the old railway line to Spenny. Through Spenny / Tudhoe village then the back way to Croxdale Bridge. Through Croxdale Estate then out at Bowburn then the back way to Low Shincliffe, up the Trod then down into Durham, around Durham then back home via Frankland / dog kennels and the sands. The bike  was going well but I forgot to re lube the chain after the near 70 miler on Wednesday so that was a little dry and I got another puncture in the rear just before I took the photo above. The Stans sealed it more or less straight away but I will have to check it and see it needs a plug putting in. All in 38 miles in 2hr 51 miles with just under 1700ft of climbing. Felt like I was going faster but ave was only 13.3mph! Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon -