Early morning Red Sky ride to Durham & Maiden Castle n back

 

Back out on the bike again but an early morning ride today before sunrise. Well I say sunrise it did try a few times including a red sky but it was mainly overcast and cloudy. It was my usual loop down to Durham, over to Maiden Castle, The Trod then back around Durham and home via Frankland, The Sands and The Carr's. It was feeling really cold with the wind and the Garmin was hovering around 5 degrees. The trails n trails were wet and damp after the overnight rain. On the plus side there was not that many others out but there was just noting in my legs, it felt like I had no power / energy and had to use Tour mode a lot more than normal eco mode. Not sure why but might have a day or two off to see if I pick back up. All in 16 miles with 750ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon - 

A sunny simple out n back down the C2C to Sunderland

 

Another day and another mainly sunny ride. Today's ride was a simple out n back down the C2C from Beamish to Sunderland n back. It was still nippy but more sheltered from the wind today along the old railway line / inter linking road section. There was not that many others out and I had some long sections of not seeing a sole. There was plenty of cold dirty muddy puddles to plash through on the section running parallel to the field / hedge / dual carriageway. I also had my new Stork autumn/spring gloves on, I have had these a long time in storage due to my black pair finally wearing out this Spring. The only problem, they have white backs, that will not last long! but they are very comfortable and just the right thickness for Autum and Spring riding. I had my Pearl Izumi ones on yesterday and they are slightly too thick and big on my hands. Below are a few snaps from the 27.5 miler with 1200ft of climbing. enjoy and hopefully mores soon - 

A lovely sunny spin over to Hetton way n back

 

Today's ride was an unexpected and pleasant spin out in the sun. I left this morning, and it was overcast with a freezing cold wind so had packed all my winter kit just in case I managed to get a ride out, but the sun came out and the wind died down a little so it felt a lot warmer. I set off from the back of Drangonville / Carville and headed over to Hetton for some mainly offroad loops before heading back again. The trails were a lot busier than I thought they would be but not too over grown. It has been a while since I have ridden this area on the bike and it was a nice change. Nothing much has changed, still plenty of deep muddy puddles, dog poo everywhere, broken glass in the underpass at Hetton but found some beautiful wall art at the back of Hetton Lyons on the way back in. All in 16.5miles with nearly 800ft of climbing, below are a few photos from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon -