Sunday morning local offroad loop on the Fat Bikes

Well the forecast was wrong yet again, more heavy drizzle in the morning but just had to get out and get a few miles in. The plan was for a dry, warmish road ride but turned out to be a damp, cold & muddy offroad ride instead. Again we were delayed in getting out as Angus had a second puncture in his front tyre and then i decided to swap back onto my 4" tyres whilst we had the air compressor out. We stayed on the local terrain and found some new sections of singletrack through a couple of woods. By the time we hit Brandon it was dark, 10 degress & wet, so much for some nice weather. It did dry up by the time we got back in at midday, we covered 24miles and nearly 1500ft of climbing so not too bad for a Sunday morning blast. Below are some photos from the ride - 

Nettle, grass, prickles etc rash all over our leags and arms

Funny old Saturday

Checked the forecast for today and it was forescasted dry and warmish. Got up planned to do an hours work around my sisters house then straight out on the bike. It was very heavy drizzle when i went around and spent most the morning there instead of an hour, not too worry by the time unloaded my tools etc it had just started to dry up and time for lunch. Couple of hours with my feet up then the good lady indoors decides to have a ride down to Durham. Got all the bikes out and Agus had a flat on the front, fixed that and off they went. Arran took his Mukluk as well. I did warn them not to take two fat bikes into Durham City Centre / Market place on a Saturday afternoon - they were stopped every 2 seconds with people asking questions / taking photos etc, all part of the fun owning one. The sun even come through late pm so they had a warm pleasant ride out. 

Also decided to go out for tea and noticed the Jolly Drovers @ Leadgate had reopened and the carpark was busy the last couple of times i have passed on the bike so it was time to try it out. Good service and good food at a very reasonable price. They do normal bar meals and a carvery along with kids meals as well. Drinks are not a rip off either, we will be going back for more! Here is a link to the website  

  

Muggy offroad ride on the Cannondale Super X

Todays ride was offroad again but on my Cannondale Super X Hi mod. This thing can fly along the old lines with ease but after taking it out of retirement she was moaning alittle. The lower headset bearing was rough, the bb30 bearings/chainset was squeaking under pressure and i forgot to lube the drive train but apart from that it was perfect. I joined on the old line at South Pelaw and headed uphill to Consett, Howsgill and crossed the A68 but turned at the next country road crossing. There was a gentle headwind all the way up and there was a very hot muggy feel to the air. Quick drink at the turning point and straight back down again with the gentle tail wind. Quite a few fellow cyclists doing the c2c and lost around the Consett area, i put them back on the right track. All in a good blast of a ride on the racing machine and the squeak from the chainset / bb went after a while. At home later i swapped the lower headset bearing, this is its 3rd one now! and stripped the bb30 and cleaned/greased it all up and lubed the drivetrain. She is ready for a few more fast miles now. Below is a few pics from todays ride-

Todays turning point

Windy at the mid point of the viaduct

Lovely view down the valley

Kids must have been having a party here, rubbish and glass everywhere today

DCC must have been spending some money on the bridges

Fresh paint and new topping/gutters

Time for a new lower headset bearing

also regrease/clean the bb30, bearings were ok

Instigatgrease out in the sun and some cloud

Todays ride was a local offroad blast up the old line to Knitsley & back on the Instigatgrease. She was a warm one but the sun was hit and miss with the cloud but most pleasant. A steady headwind all the way kept me cool but at the turning point it was a lovely tailwind but i started sweating alot. The bike is rolling well at the mo and decided to keep the tyres on for a while longer. Might put the 45NRTH Dillingers back on the original wheels and run two pairs of wheels, just need a cassette and rear disc and a couple of tubes. Below a few pics from todays ride, also the forecast is looking good for tomorrow as well. Might dig my Cannondale Super X Hi Mod out of retirement for a blast somewhere.  

From 2 offroad wheels to 4 offroad wheels - quad biking

A day off from cycling so went quad biking instead. We normally go to the quad track around the back of Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield but this time we found a different track on the internet near Billingham. You would never find or know about this place unless you were looking for it, its well off the beaten track. Both Angus & Arran went on the 100cc quads for 1/2hr and loved the course. The staff were very friendly and pleasant. The portacabin had a hot drinks machine on free vend and there was even bogs! They said they defo want to come back and prefer this course to the one @ Sedgefield and its a couple of quid cheaper each as well. We will be returning in the summer hols and if i have saved up a few bob i will have a go the big quads myself! Here is a link to the website with all the info and below are a few photos of the action  

Up the eyes in clarts as normal, just like every Sunday !

FRESH GOODS SUNDAY - KCNC SC Wing Stem

I normaly use Thomson stems as they are excellent build quality, strong and have never gone wrong (inc their seatposts) but i fancied a change and have been using a few KCNC products and i am impressed with them, if they last as long as thomson that may be a different storey but worth a try.
This is the SC Superlight Wing stem, suitable for road & offroad and comes in various lengths from 60-120mm and in both 25.4mm & 31.8mm dia. The box that it turned up in you would think there was a jewel inside. The finish on the stem is perfect and no problems in fitting. I went for the same length as my Thomson as i did not want to alter the reach. I checked the weight and is was bang on.
Spec - Superlight scandium stems. Supergood.

- Ti bolts & natty lazer etching.
- To fit 1 1/8th steerer of course.
- Aggressive or scenic mode, reversible 5 degree rise/fall.
- 38mm stack height, for xc & road racing.
- CNC machined from scandium T-7451 Alloy

25.4mm
60mm c82g
70mm c84g
80mm c86g
90mm c92g
100mm c96g
110mm c102g
31.8mm
60mm c85g
70mm c88g
80mm c92g
90mm c98g
100mm c103g
110mm c108g
120mm c113g
Link here as well for the stem i will test it out over the summer months and see if it as stiff as my thomson.