Local offroad ride on the Krampgrease + NECCL RD6 Tomorrow

Firstly apologies for the lack of blogs over the last couple of weeks. I have been off the bike due to a sore back, bad weather, busy with other stuff and general lack of mojo. Well the winter weather is finally landing this weekend and hopefully get rid of all the high winds, lashing rain, 18 degrees one day down to 4 degrees the next day.
Anyway back today, started with drizzle, cloud, strong wind and it was real chilly heading along the old railway line to Bishop. By the time I got to Willington the sun was just coming through but still nippy. Into Bishop and past the Castle which I think they have there Christmas fair on this weekend. Then up and out of Bishop to drop onto the old railway line to Spenny, road section today to Tudhoe Village / Croxdale to pick up the bridleway back up to Brandon and back onto the railway line again. The lines were mainly dry with the odd puddle here and there but the singletracks were a little more clarty as you would expect. Only past one other cyclists, 2 horse riders and a few dog walkers, very quiet. I had a slow puncture on the rear with 4 miles to go so just kept on riding and will fix it over the weekend.
The Surly Dirt Wizrads were spot on and have mudguards both front & rear now fitted to try and keep some of the freezing brown slop from flicking all over me. Below are some photos from ride, enjoy and more soon

NECCL RD6 Hardwick Park, Sedgefield Saturday 21st Nov - new organiser this year - Andy Oliver with Ian helping out. Normal times & prices with cash prizes and plenty spot prizes as well for everyone to have a chance of winning. Hardwick park is a fantastic venue with plenty car parking, café, toilets, play park for the kids etc.
Come on and join in on the fun with races for all ages and abilities on the day.
*** NOTE IF YOU ARE A NON TLI MEMBER - you have to complete a Day member form, if you can print & complete a form before turning up it will save a lot of time - there is a link to the form in the Non member page - top right of the homepage ***

Rear disc rotor bolts were loose

low of 3 degrees !

the sun came out

this was on the tv the other night but said it was going to be ready for 2017, must find out what its about

Auckland Castle gate

farmers have been whacking the hedges

and spread it all the country lane

full winter kit on today inc booties

Fresh Goods Sunday - Topeak Micro Rocket cb mini pump - road

This is yet another treat for my Cannondale Nano Black Ltd Edt bike. I have used the Bonti mini pumps on all my road/gravel/cx bikes for years with no problems but I am on a mission to make the bike all black and stealth looking as possible. I use Topeak mini pumps on all of my mtb's and have two Topeak track pumps and normally last for a long time and perform well. This pump is very small, compact and light - ideal. When it arrived I didn't realise just how small the pump is compared to all my other mini pumps. Fitting was simple, just removed the bottle cage to remove the old pump holder and fit the new holder. The pump clips in and you pull over a strap to secure it. I have tried it out on blowing up a spare tube but not used it on the roadside yet - thank god!
The rrp is £34.99 which is a lot for a mini pump but as ever with Topeak products shop around for some discount. I paid under £27 inc 2 days delivery.
Here is the manufacturers blurb and LINK -
Micro Rocket CB
For weight-obsessed roadies, here's 55 grams of pocket-sized pumping punch. Carbon handle and barrel sheath for light weight, high pressure design pumps to 160 psi.

Head	Presta Valve with Integrated Dust Cap
Barrel	Carbon sheath
Handle	Locking Carbon
Capacity	160 psi / 11 bar
Added Features	Side Mount Bracket Optional Centerline Mount Bracket
Size (L x W x H)	16 x 2.4 x 2.1 cm 6.3” x 0.9” x 0.8”
Weight	55 g / 1.94 oz
	Art.no. TMR-CB

Fresh Goods Sunday - Lezyne Micro Caddy Saddle Bag

I have several different manufacturers seat packs but normally stick to the Altura ones the last few times I have bought a one.
This time I opted to try out a Lezyne model. This is the first product I have tried from this manufacturer but have read good revies on their pumps and multi tools. I was after a small / all black version for the Dale Nanao Black. I don't carry too mush in my seat packs - spare inner tube, multi tool, patches, chain link & tyre boot. This model comes in a couple of sizes but I opted for the small as it looked big enough.
The quality of the construction looks very good and fitting is easy with one big strap around the saddle rails. There is no strap on the seat post which makes it cleaner looking and dosent rub your post. There are compartments inside and an external section under the bag for your multi tool but I wanted to keep my tool inside the main section to keep out of the road spray / dirt. It was a squeeze but everything is in. Fitting doesn't take long and the lager zipped end is easy to open and take out your tube etc.
In use you cannot feel the bag moving around and to date I have had no problems with it. The rrp is £17.99 but shop around for deals, I paid just over £14 inc next day delivery.
Here is the manufactures blurb -
A compact, streamlined saddle bag ideal for sleek racing saddle shapes, the 0.23L Micro Caddy is perfect for road cycling and sportives with just the bare essentials. Hook and Loop straps provide secure fitting without the need for tools or brackets.
The compact Caddy fits neatly under the saddle thanks to the large hook and loop strap. Also, the large opening of the bag allows easy access to inner tubes etc.
Here is a link to the website

Top Features of the Lezyne Micro Caddy Saddle Bag - Small

Hook and Loop seat rail straps for rattle-free fitting

Organizational pockets keep all accessories in place

External multi-tool compartment

Durable woven nylon fabrics

Water resistant zipper

Reflective tail light loop

Weight: 80g

Dimensions: 140 x 55 x 55mm

Cargo: 13.7in^{3 0.23L}

 

Early Sunday morning local road ride + a right old manky week of weather

Did not get out on the bike yesterday due to the lashing rain but it did dry up for a few hours after dinnertime. Today the rain is due to come back around 11am so wanted to get out early and have a good ride before its starts again.
I was up at 4.30am so out the door after 5am for a rather windy cold start to the ride. The temperatures through the week have been around 14 degrees, not today. The Garmin was reading around 4 degrees and that was without the wind chill factor. I wasn't bothered as the fog / mist / drizzle we have had all week has been proper depressing.
Back to todays ride I wanted to keep it mainly local again and do loops to build up the route / mileage. Again I set off with no real planned route just made it up as I went along. Less climbing this week but the wind made it tough going in places on the exposed roads. As for the roads there was plenty localised flooding with massive puddles to ride around and plenty of water coming off the fields and running across roads. I took the Pilgrims again as it is always ready just to jump on and go in the dark / winter conditions. Here is the ROUTE I covered 50miles in 3.5hrs with nearly 3500ft of climbing. Below are a few pics from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon :~)

remember Durham City Centre is closed to cars and pedestrians for the Lumiere next week

High Shincliffe

passed this monster parked up at the side of the road

back country lane flooded

proper dark on the unlight lanes

going up to Quarrington Hill

Day light just coming through 6.40am

wind turbines spinning away at full speed today

sunrise through the clouds

even the sun came out for all of about 10mins

time to turn some of my lights off / down

view over Chester Le Street

from Great Lumley

a few more miles into the headwind and I will be back home