Fresh Goods Sunday - Mountain Equipment Kinesis Mens Jacket

This is none Cycling Fresh Goods Sunday item but still an outdoors item. I was not after anymore jackets / coats but when we were last over in the Keswick we had a look through the clearance sale items in the basement area. I come across this jacket and thought I like the look of that. I use Mountain Equipment trousers ever day during the winter months for work and non work outdoor pleasure. I cannot fault them and I am onto my second pair. The quality and construction is excellent so thought I would give this jacket a go. Again the quality of construction, materials, design and features are all excellent. In fact there is nothing else I would like to see on the jacket. You would think because it is so light weight it would not keep you warm or dry but if the temperature is not too cold it defo keeps you warm and keeps most of any wind chill factor off your upper body. It also showerproof to a certain degree. When we had the dry spell in Spring where I used this nearly jacket every week when out n about with just a base layer or technical t shirt on underneath. If you do get too warm you can fold the jacket back in on its self within the pocket for easy storage. It has not been cold enough to wear it under any of my of my softshell or Goretex jackets but says it can be used as a mid layer. I can understand why the asking price is so high and would have been dubious about spending that amount on such a jacket but in my eyes is you shop around and get some discount it is a fantastic jacket for the money. It comes in several colours and loads of different sizes. I have not washed it yet so cannot comment on that side of things. 

RRP £180.00 and I paid £90.00 from George Fisher, Keswick. Discount 50% 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

A superfast drying action layer that combines warmth and weather protection for the most demanding climbing and mountaineering.

Balancing the moisture transfer required for running up exposed ice fields with the durability needed for rock climbing in the high mountains. The specially developed Octayarn Warp-knit lining offers insulation you can move fast in, combined with rapid drying that will be appreciated on one day sprints and multi-day missions alike.

• Lightweight HeliumAP outer fabric with mechanical stretch; highly breathable and wind resistant
• Octayarn Warp-knit lining for exceptional insulation, breathability and comfort
• Mountain HC Hood is fully adjustable
• Active fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
• 2-way YKK® moulded centre front zip
• 2 zipped hand pockets and Napoleon chest pocket
• Adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords
• Packs into pocket with twin karabiner carry loops
• Weight : 360g/ 12.7oz
• 100% Polyamide outer, 100% Polyester inner

A wet, windy and cold Transmitters road ride - Burnhope & Pontop Pike

 

After Thursday's wash out ride I gave it a miss on Friday and yesterday but I was back out again this morning. After heavy overnight rain I decided to keep to the road this time. I set off and it was very windy, 20mph but it was dry. Once I got over Beamish way the heavens opened and I got a little soaking but the wind blew the rain shower away. By now the Garmin was hovering just over 10 degrees! The roads and back country lanes were lovely and quiet early Sunday morning. When I reached Pontop Pike the sun was trying to come out but the wind was getting stronger. By the time I got back home the sun had come out and the Garmin had shot up to 17+ degrees. I had to get in more than 31 miles to reach my 100 mile weekly target so that had gone by and got 36 miles in with 2800ft of climbing with an average speed of 14.9mph which was not bad considering the headwind. Time to give the bike a light wash, dry, lube and charge. Below are a few snaps from the ride, the route map and a couple of short video clips, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Some Fresh Goodies - Ritchey WCS XC SPD Pedals & Halfords Advanced 46 Piece Impact Socket Set

 

If you follow my blog you will know that I have used Ritchey spd pedals for around 30 years. This is the second pair of the same model and will probably be going on my Trek Procaliber. They are very rare in the UK and surprised when I found them in stock at Swinnerton Cycles. 

RRP £123.90 & I paid £103.16  from Swinnerton Cycles 

And on to my next purchase this week. When I replaced my wishbone on the car and the last few jobs on the older Corsa I have started using our big Dewalt impact driver to get some bolts out / nuts off. I have been using my normal sockets but they were never designed for this type of use so I ordered an Impact Socket set from Halfords. It is way bigger and heavier than I thought it would be looking at the photo on their website. As ever with their Advanced range with life time guarantee the quality is very good for a home mechanic. Even better value when you get some good discount! 

RRP £99.99 and I paid £59.99  from Halfords, Durham. 

More on these in Fresh Goods Sundays in the coming months or so. 

Wet, wet, wet & up the naff's - British Summer riding in Durhams finest cutting paste

 

I must say that I question my sanity at times. The forecast was a very mixed bag from dry spells to mainly lashing rain but I am back on my 100mile a week target and was up early. I joined onto the old railway line at Langley Park and headed off up to Consett with a spit of rain in the air all the way up. Just before the junction the heavens started to open. I was hoping to get further up the old railway line towards Parkhead but it was lashing down. I turned and headed straight back down. By now the lines were soaking, puddles and plenty of mud / gravel cutting paste. The rain had stopped my bell from working some how not that I needed it much as my disc brakes were squealing like pigs on steroids. There was hardly sole out on the lines on the way back, don't blame them! By the time I got back I was sprayed in mud from head to toe and soaked through. It took longer to clean up than that I was out. Not to worry another 20 miles off this weeks target with 750ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon if it ever stops raining.