A hot and cold ride up the old railway line on the Specialized Creo 2

 

Back out on the Creo 2 gravel for a local spin up the old railway line. I joined onto the line at Langley Park and headed towards Consett. It was mainly overcast and cloudy with a strong headwind all the way up. There was a few others out but not that many so was easier going. The lines were still mainly dry and mud free which was a bonus. It was really cold down in the Lanchester valley, less than 4 degrees but when I started climbing it was 9 degrees. Once at the crossroads I turned left and over Hownsgill viaduct and headed toward Parkhead. Once I reached the A68 I turned and headed back down again, this time with a tailwind! All in 20.5 miles in 1hr 31 mins with 750ft of climbing. Enjoy a few snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Spin through to Bishop for a sausage buttie and Sram battery died mid ride.

 

Another sunny day and I finished work early and went out for a spin on the Creo 2. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park and headed to Broompark Picnic Area where I turned left towards Bishop. Again the lines are still mainly lovely and dry with little mud. Couple of things you have to look out for is dips / holes which are covered in leaves so hard to see and also soft sections of mud / the edge of the track. Over the last couple of rides I have had a few scary moments losing the front and or rear wheel in soft sections under a blanket of leaves overtaking / passing other users. Once I reached Brnacepth village my rear mech had stopped worked. I tried pressing the button to see if it would reconnect to the shifters but no flashing from the light. I was just thinking on the way out when I last charged the battery but I have not been using the bike much over the last few months. Anyway I decided to turn and head back to Meadowfield and over to Infinity Cycles. The lad in the workshop whipped out the battery and put it on their fast charger. I had a look around the shop before heading back over to the workshop. He refitted the battery back in the mech and pressed the button and it went into service mode then synced back to the levers. I was back up and running but for how long? I decided to continue on my original route through to Bishop Auckland but did not change the gears as much! I had a lovely sausage buttie from Fifteas tearooms before heading back. I must have had a tailwind all the way through as the wind was straight into my face all the way back to Langley Park. It was hard going and my legs felt empty. On the plus side the Sram battery did not die again.  All in just under 33 miles, ave 13.7mph with 1050ft of climbing. Enjoy the couple of snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Lovely sunny Halloween gravel ride to Nana B's - Waskerley

 

Well what a change we have had in the weather recently, it has been very warm and hardly no rain. Autumn is definitely here now as there is hardly any leaves left in the trees, the autumn colours this year in the sunshine has been fantastic. Todays spin was a simple out n back on the Waskerley way / C2C up to the junction at Nana B's cafe and back down. On the minus side I had a 20 to 25mph headwind all the way up but that meant a tailwind on the way back down. There was a few others out enjoying the good weather as well. I took the Creo 2 gravel bike and had no problems. In fact the lines are that dry with just the odd wet / muddy patch the rear mudguard can come back off again! 

All in just under 29 miles in 2hrs 7mins with 1150ft of climbing. Enjoy the few snaps below and a short video clip on Hownsgill viaduct and hopefully more soon- 

Early morning dark/cold local ride around Durham, Maiden Castle & Houghall Woods

 

Yesterday me and Angus had a look down to The North Eats Motor Show at the arena Darlington. It was a canny day out for a tenner. There was a good selection of vehicles etc. 

Last night with the clocks going back and a sunrise forecasted I looked out my Trek emtb hardtail for an early morning spin. I charged up all my lights and fitted them to the bike & helmet. I was up and out by 6am for a spin down to Durham city centre. It was lovely and quiet with very few others out n about. I then followed the river around to Maiden Castle, a loop through Houghall woods which was mainly dry'ish of mud! then up The trod. Back around Durham then home via Frankland, The Sands then The Carrs. There was a few others out by the time I was heading home. There was no real sunrise to speak of as it was cloudy but had some sun on the way back home up all the hills. The Garmin dipped down to minus -0.5 degrees. The Trek went well and had no problems. All in 17 miles on the nose in 1hr 28mins with 860ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-