Langley Park to Bishop Auckland n back for a huge sausage buttie

 

This ride was just to get the last of my mileage in for the month to hit my 300 mile target. It was a ride of two halves with the outward leg from Langley Park to Bishop mainly overcast and a mainly stonking headwind all the way. Once at Bishop I had a sausage buttie from Fifteas tea rooms then turned and headed back. The lines were still damp and silty mud in places from the recent rain. There was more people out n about today compared to my previous ride so was slower going. All in 30.50miles in 2hrs 16mins with 900ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon - 

A longer 50 mile gravel ride on the Creo 2 with the new Restrap bags

 

My mileage is down this month for one reason or another so I thought it was time to give the Creo 2 gravel bike a longer spin out. I don't get as far a mileage range on the Creo 2 compared to my Creo 1 even with the power dialled down on the first two settings so I fitted my range extender just in case. It was an out n back ride that I used to do a lot more regularly when I was younger and fitter! I ride from my house over to Whitesmocks then the back way to Baxters Farm where I pick up the old railway line and head for Consett. At the crossroads turn left and straight up the old railway line / C2C to Parkhead. I pass the old cafe and through the old quarry and turn at the wooden post at the top of Crawleyside. This is a straight 25 miles on the nose mostly up hill. I was going to add some extra parts onto the route on the way back but decided just to retrace the outward leg and was 50 miles on the nose on my return. It was lovely and quiet and hardly seen a sole. It was nippy on the tops with the Garmin hovering around 7 to 8 degrees. My legs were starting to feel it coming out of Langley Park heading for Bearpark but felt ok'ish on the last two climbs coming home. More on the new Restrap bags in a up coming Blog. Below are a few overcast, cold looking snaps from the ride. Time was a steady 3hrs 30mins with just under 2000ft of climbing and 50% left on the battery starting from 149%. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Bank Holiday Local emtb ride and Catch up

 

Busy bank holiday weekend so far for us - Saturday we had a look up to the car show at Ushaw College for a walk around the cars, motorbikes and stalls. Then yesterday we had a look through to Seaburn for a walk up and down the sea front and then some shopping at Morrisons. The wind was a killer it but did not stop me from getting my ice cream! 

Today the forecast was for the wind to die down from 45mph to around 30mph and dry up to dinnertime. So I was up and out around 6.30am for a local ride on my Trek Marlin + e mtb hardtail. On the way through the estate towards the red brick railway bridge there was a very young deer walking around right next to the road. It was my usual loop but took in Houghall woods as they are bone dry and managed to ride right up the central gulley track that is normally knee deep in mud. There was a few others out early but not that many so was a very pleasant ride. The sun was mainly out and the wind had died down a little from yesterday. It was not that warm around 8 to 12 degrees and I had my 3/4 bib tights, long sleeved jersey and windproof gilet on. All in just over 18.5 miles in 1hr 33min with 1000ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc some Restrap Fresh Goodies! 

Early morning sunrise ride from Annfield Plain to Waskerley n back

 

Finally a sunrise first thing so I was up and out well before 6am for a fresh ride from Annfield Plain up the old railway line / C2C to Waskerley. There was a freezing cold stiff wind and the Garmin dipped to 5.5 degrees. Just as well I opted for nearly full winter kit today. It was nice to see the sun before midday for a change. The rain over night has dampened down the dust on the line but the wind and sun was soon drying it back out again. Hardly seen a sole at that time of morning up there, just sheep. Yesterday I had a bit of a clean up / sorting day. I washed and cleaned out one of our cars then washed both my Creo 1 & 2 gravel bikes and both sets of spare wheels. I have left the 29x2.2" wheels on my Creo 2 and swapped over onto 700x43c Gravelking wheels on my Creo 1. What a difference these wheels make on this bike, it flies along, especially if you have a good tailwind! I also tweaked some brake rub and super glued some torn bar tape back down. All in 26.5 miles in 1hr 59mins with 1000ft of climbing. Below are some snaps from the out n back, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc some Fresh Goodies!