Cold but sunny spin through to Bishop Auckland n back

 

What a week of rain and flooding but today there was nearly a frost with the Garmin hovering around 2 degrees at 8am. The sun was out and there was very little wind so it was time for a ride. I headed along the old railway line from Langley Park to Broom Park picnic area. From there I turned left and headed to Bishop Auckland. I was expecting the railways lines to have massive puddles and some flooding but they were near perfect! There was loads of other users out and about enjoying the sun and dry spell of weather. I treated myself to a sausage buttie when I reached Bishop. There was also a vintage car show setting up in the market place. The return leg was the same but in the opposite direction and a small loop at on the end at Langley Park. I took the Creo 1 gravel bike and its still going strong. All in just under 29 miles with 900ft of climbing in 2hrs 13 mins. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Oh I also did a 5k trail trot last Sunday up at Derwent water reservoir in 34.45mins with 105ft of climbing. I found my leg muscles again! could not walk properly and struggled getting down the stairs for three days. 

A short spin out down to Cox Green on my Creo 1 gravel bike

 

I am back and out on my bike for a short spin. I have been very busy at work and bought a new van which took up a lot of my spare time dealing with idiots who cannot do their job properly. Angus has got my old van and we sold the old Corsa which we have had in the family for a very long time. Still waiting on DVLA for V5C's, swapping plates and road tax refunds etc but getting there slowly to say the least. 

Today I had to drop the new van off at Washington to get a sun strip fitted so I had a spin out on my bike whilst they were doing that. It was a short one of 11.5 miles in 54mins with 470ft of climbing. I took my Creo 1 gravel again as it was already in the back of my van. We have had some cracking weather this week in Co Durham but today it was overcast / cloudy with a light drizzle in the air. On the plus side there was no wind. Below are a couple of snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Regular Co Durham mainly gravel loop in the gloom

 

I finished work early today so had a spin out on my original Specialized Creo 1 gravel bike. I just love riding this bike for some reason, it just seems to fit me perfect and is very comfortable in the saddle. Anyway it was a short loop taking in two of Co Durham's old railway lines and a couple of short road sections to join them up. It was lovey and quiet with hardly a sole out and about. Summer had defo gone now, leaves are changing colour and falling from the trees. There is just no heat in the air and feels cold. On the plus side the council have resurfaced the hump from Brandon towards Branscpeth and lifted up the track surface ta the bottom where it always floods with the ponds either side. Below are a couple of snaps from the ride, I call it no weather = overcast, cloudy, no wind, no heat not cold just cool . All in just over 19.5 miles with 750ft of climbing in 1hr 25mins. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

First sunny but very cold Autumn gravel ride in Co Durham

 

Well I did say it was starting to  feel like Autumn but yesterday morning when I went out on the bike the Garmin was reading 1.9 degrees! It was freezing but the sun was blazing away so made a huge difference to the ride. I was underdressed for the cold even though I looked out and wore my 3/4 bib knickers and merino winter socks. Later on after I climbed out of the valleys the temperature shot up to over 12 degrees where I felt I was over dressed, yes it that time of year again. There was quiet a few others out and about early doors on a Saturday. It was one of my regular loops taking in three of County Durham's old railway lines and a couple of connecting roads. All in it was just under 40 miles with 1800ft of climbing in 3hrs 1min. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-