7 December 2025

A lovely sunny local spin down to Durham City Centre and Maiden Castle area

 


Back out again for a local spin down to Durham, around Durham and over to Maiden Castle. The sun was shinning and the wind was blowing. No where near as cold as the last few days with the Garmin reading over 8 degrees. The track n trails were very busy with other users so I took it steady as it was very stop / start type ride. I decided to take the Creo 2 as it was charges up and still dirty from its last ride. What a difference some sun makes to the ride when you have not seen it for so long. Below are a few snaps from the 15 miles loop in 1hr 21mins with 800ft of climbing, enjoy and hopefully more soon-













Fresh Goods Sunday - Assos MILLE GT ULTRAZ EVO Winter Jacket - Fluro Yellow

 


I thought I would post this Fresh Goods Sunday blog as I have not done one for a while now and I have been wearing this top for a good few rides this winter so far and the back end of last winter. 
I bought it from Sigma Sports a good few years ago in the sale and had it in my spares box as my last Gorewear top was just not wearing out. I have having a sort through and decided to drag it out of the box and start wearing it. Since I wore it a few times at the back end of last winter I have not not wore my Gore top again! This is for cold and or windy rides where the temperature is just above or below zero degrees. I layer it up with combinations of short or long sleeved base layers and even a short sleeved thin jersey if its really cold. The quality and feel of the jacket is just unreal, I am not sure just how Assos make such a fantastic garment. The only down side it feels heavy when you lift it up but you cannot feel the weight when you are wearing it. The top washes and dries well. I have not worn it in heavy rain but light rain showers is not a problem. I can see where they got the £300 rrp at the time but as ever shop around. I have never worn or seen another cycling jacket of this quality, feel and fit. Hopefully this will last me a very long time and will not need replacing. 

RRP £300 and I paid £182.70 from Sigma Sports inc 24hr delivery. Discount 39% 

Manufactures Blurb - 

The coldest of winter conditions are shrugged off by the Assos Mille GT Ultraz EVO Winter Jacket thanks to its state of the art materials and advanced construction which provide excellent insulation and weather protection when riding in sub-zero temperatures.

The exposed front and upper back panels are made using a twinDeck format that combines the NEOS Light textile for 100% windproofing and water resistance with the more insulating RX Heavy fabric on the inside for warmth. A lighter partnership of similar materials provides more flexibility and across the arm panels for increased comfort in the riding position, whilst at the cuff, the inner and outer fabrics are separate to allow the seamless integration of gloves. NEOS Medium is the final fabric used, found on the rear of the jacket, offering increased breathability for this more sheltered area.

Assos’ regularFIT pattern gives a svelte silhouette but is still roomy enough to combine perfectly with other clothing layers worn underneath. A raglan sleeve junction complements this fit by increasing freedom of movement for the arms and shoulders.

Three rear pockets with innovative lids provide sheltered storage space for food, extra clothing layers and valuables. A stabilising panel, built into the rear of the jacket, ensures that there is no pocket sag, even when they are heavily laden. Reflective accents placed on these pockets increase low light visibility to other road users.

A full-length zip completes the jacket by being durable and easy to operate to facilitate tailored levels of ventilation.

FEATURES

  • A jacket that delivers maximum warmth and protection for the harshest winter weather
  • The front and upper back panels are realised in a twin-layer NEOS Light & RX Heavy fabric composition for 100% windproofing, water-resistance and the highest level of insulation
  • A twin layer of NEOS Ultra and 652.RX materials provide flexible windproofing and water resistance to the arms
  • The lower back panel is made from the highly breathable, windproof and warm NEOS Medium textile
  • regularFit cut is optimised for comfort in the riding position while allowing for layers underneath
  • Raglan sleeve design is free of a traditional shoulder seam for a greater range of motion
  • Triple Ramp Pockets are flexible and possess “lids” to cover the contents for added security
  • Extra Stabilizer S7 central back-panel has limited vertical stretch to stabilise heavily laden pockets
  • Full-length zip grants easy temperature regulation
  • Reflective strips placed on both sides of the centre pocket add visibility in low-light conditions
  • Assos Climarange: Ultraz Winter 3/3











6 December 2025

Ride through the freezing cold winter slop to Bishop Auckland Christmas Town Market

 


It was time to sling my leg over the saddle again and try and get a few more miles in for this week. The weather does not encourage me to go out in away shape or form. I decided to go back out on the old railway lines of County Durham. I did not realise just how wet and sloppy they were. The temperature was hovering around 0 degrees which did not help either, on top of that wind gusts of 15mph just to add to the wind chill factor. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park and over to Broompark junction. I decided to turn left and go over to Bishop to see the Christmas festival village they have set up in the market place area. To be honest if you don't live local it is probably not worth the travel unless you have young children. The sun did poke its head out twice on the way back but only for a few minutes each time. On the plus side there was no rain. All in just over 27 miles in 2hrs 7mins with 800ft climbing. Below are a few snaps from ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-