Saturday morning ride on the Carbon Beargrease before it started raining

I was up early ish for a ride but got side tracked etc and never got out until after 8.30 so didnt have long to get back before the forecasted rain for the rest of the day. It started off lovely and sunny with a cool breeze but after 10 miles it clouded over and the temperature dropped from 18 to 13 degrees. Still managed just under 25 miles mainly offroad and was lovely and quiet, a few dog walkers / couple of cyclists and that was it. This was first day i am starting to feel slightly better for a change so hopefully on the road to recovery now. Below are a few pic's from todays ride, enjoy  

Durham raft race on the wear today

NEXC MTB Series Rd5 Hetton Lyons

It was Rd5 of the series @ Hetton Lyons last night. Both the lads went over for some action on their mtbs (well Angus took mine!) It was a very similar course to last with a couple of different sections but the grass has gone wild and is overgrown. Arran was first up in the U12/10's race. He had a couple of mechanicals last time he was here and missed out on the podium and got 4th, this time his bike was spot on and got 3rd and won the mug! Angus was in the U16's which are inc in the main Sen race on the full course and full duration unlike the U16 girls. He was going like a snail blaming the bug, unfit, needs more training etc i think it was more like he had just done a GCSE exam and his head was fried. Anyway he said he had a great time on my Instagatgrease. Below are a few pics of the boyos in action.  

Overtaking in style

Looking for the camera

Mugs r us

Go on the champs

Smiling

Still sort of smiling

Grinding up the hills

Had enough, get me home

Made the most of the only sunshine the whole week

What a horrible week of weather, we have had none stop rain, wind, cloud, overcast cool weather. Friday comes and the sun finally comes out. I have still be feeling dreadful all week with the bug and still havent managed to shift it so been off the bike. I forced myself out today on my Dale Supersix Hi Mod for a few miles. I took it steady but was hard work on the climbs in the 20 degrees heat. Below are a few pics 

The climb upto old Ushaw College Farm

No turning off down the offroad tracks today

The climb up Hedley Hope nature reserve, this is at the bottom

At the top and the turbines are running slowly today

Sunny Sunday Morning Family Ride / Instigatgrease Update

After a busy Saturday un packing and getting sorted from our holiday it was time for a family ride out. Angus is on the mend now but i had the worst night so far with the e.coli bug, bent over double with stomach cramps and you just dont want to know abut the rest! We had a gentle ride up the old line from Bearpark to Hownsgill Viaduct - Coal truck then down to Knitsley Farm Shop / Cafe for a refuel. I am well off my food at the mo so just had a drink but Angus is back on so had a steak pie from the hot counter. Following the top up we headed back to Bearpark. The weather was great and the lines were mainly dry so was easy going. As you can see on the below pics i was out on the Instigatgrease, i have covered nearly 50 miles on the Surly Dirt Wizard 26+" tyres and after increasing the rear pressure and decreasing the front pressure they are rolling well, very well. As suspected i can easily spin out the 28/10t on my Carbon Grease and would benefit from a 30or32t up front. As for grip i havent tested them to the max or in deep mud but no problems what so ever so far. They really do roll quick compaired to a 4+" Fat tyre with alot less drag. To be honest they are probably more suited to the general type of riding that i do but i enjoy the FAT tyres! i will leave them on for a few more rides before swapping back onto my 45NRTH Dillingers for the rest on the Summer/ Autumn months. It has got me thinking about 29+" Knard option now but that would mean a pair of tyres, tubes, rims, rim tapes, cassette (well everything apart from the hubs!) and wheel builds. 

Below are a few photos from todays ride  

Quick refuel break



Traffic jam on the line today, it was these or cows that infected me & Angus ! CAUTION NOTE - always was your hands/face after riding through there poo and DO NOT drink from your water bottle



Howngill Viaduct - the motley crew has landed

dont forget to duck

Coal truck junction

Dont mess with the racing snake when hes refueling!

Thats the BOSS happy

Heading back now through Lanchester

Just come out of Langley Park

Heading for Bearpark

Then me & Angus got some singletrack in on the way home

  

FRESH GOODS SUNDAY - MT ZOOM Carbon Ahead Spacers

Not sure how excited you can get over spacers but i had run out of carbon ones after recent bike builds etc. These come in a pack of 5no = 3no x 10mm & 2no x 5mm @ £8.99rrp. I checked the weight on the scales and they are light - 10mm = 3g & 5mm = 1.5g. I did pop my original non ultralight versions on the scale and they were 8g heavier for the same amount. I put these on my Fat bike and Angus got the old carbon ones for his fat bike and kept the alu ones that came off for spares. 

Spec - Everyone needs some spare spacers & at this price you might as well get the lightest. The ultimate in ultra lightweight carbon spacers. Extra machining (via moonlight by Taiwanese virgins whispering chants of "go faster", probably) to remove at least 33% of the original weight. The lightest in the world.

Superstrong weave - special design with 3 points of support
The pack consists of 3 x 10mm & 2 x 5mm spacers
For 1 1/8 tube Laquered finish on the outside/matt on the inside 10mm: 3 gram 5mm: 1.5 gram
Link to the Spacers

Full pack

I required 3 x 10mm & 1 x 5mm

Old ones i took off

Fitted to bike but logos are all over, need to straighten them up!