Weekly catch up and Saturday morning local road ride on the Cannondale bling bikes

Well the weather finally picked up after the Bank Holiday weekend when we went back to work on the Tuesday - typical so me and Jane managed a good walk out 5.5 miles in the red hot sunshine for a change. I also tried out my new Garmin Forerunner 15 watch which seemed to work spot on. The wrist strap is a little short and i dont think i have fat wrists! It was fairly easy to set up and set away. Then me, Jane & Angus were busy with the elections at the back end of week but I managed to get a couple of walks in on the Friday and covered around 10-11 miles but forgot my Garmin and camera so could not log them. The weather was more overcast which is better for me but still hot and sweaty. 

Today was back to cold and foggy when out on the road bikes. The temperature hovered around 6-7 degrees and a stiff old wind blowing yet again. The only plus point was there no rain! We decided to get the Cannondale bling machines out, dusted them off, pumped up the tyres, drop of lube and they were rocking and rolling. My clothing also changed yet again  back to mainly winter kit. We stopped local again and did the same route as two weeks ago but backwards for a change. The climbing seemed harder but we were faster, my legs did not feel that coming back in straight into the headwind. There was loads of other roadies out, mainly women which is nice to see. Back to higher temperatures tomorrow and sun inland. The coast is going to cloudy with a cold wind by all accounts.
More soon and enjoy a few pics below -
Update- the cloud burn off mid/late afternoon so me and jane went out for a local walk out for 5.5 miles, it was hot by the time we got back in. More hiking tomorrow.

Tuesday sun

Cloudy Saturday

come on big lad, nearly at the top !

May Bank Hol Monday walk

Finally got the car washed and serviced mid yesterday afternoon once it stopped chucking down. Watched the last stage of the Yorkshire Tour, better coverage yesterday.
Was planning on a ride this am but I did not sleep well, Angus had a lie in, I was feeling rough and it started chucking down again just before 9am.
Once it stopped just after dinnertime me, Jane & Angus were straight out for a walk around Low / High Shincliffe including a loop around Croxdale Estate, the single tracks were up the eyes and so were many of the fields which made it hard going in places but a cuppa and cake in Brambles coffee shop at the end made up for it. The sun even came out times. I was going to try out my new Garmin Forerunner 15 watch but the battery was completely flat and would not even turn on so used my Edge 800 instead. Covered 7.5 miles in 2hrs 15mins.
A few pics below for the walk and hopefully have time / nice weather to get out on the bike this week at some point.

Fresh Goods Sunday - Alpkit Fuel Pod - small

I have been using Alpkit bike luggage for a while now and every now and then they change the design / shape / features etc and sell off there old stock. After my camera jumped out of one of my old xlab bags I decided to buy a couple of new ones. The rrp is £18 but these were in the sale for £15 inc p&p. The medium was £23 and that was also down to £15. The shape and construction is the same as my older black one but the zip pull has changed to a large open ring type pull. The fitting is exactly the same via three Velcro straps. They come in six different colour options as well.
Here is the manufacturers blurb -
A simple zip closure bag, with quick and easy access for storage of trail mix, fuel gels, puncture repair kit, phone, wallet and mini-tools.

Fuel Pod small is a super handy pack to keep everything right in front of you. Just the right size for those short trips, commutes or as part of a larger system of luggage. Ideal for carrying a few essentials such as keys, wallet, fuel gels, phone or a mini tool kit.
Fuel Pod Small is nimble and lightweight but since it is constructed from bombproof VX21 fabric, it is enduring so can depend on it for many rides to come.
The pod has minimal interference with your movements or the bike’s steering: we leave ours attached permanently to the bike, that way you never forget those little essentials.
Key features

• Foam lined outer to prevent damage to the contents or your frame
• Secure and versatile webbing ladder velcro attachment system

Vital Stats -
Materials: VX21 & 210d Nylon
Zips: YKK
Weight: 70 g
Length: 17 cm
Width: 5 cm
Height: 9 cm

Aplkit news - Fuel Pods and Possums Not a lot is changing but the changes that are happening will be good news for riders who have electronics. The complete range is getting ports to make running cables from dynamos, batteries, usb devices to your cockpit a whole lot easier. On the Fuel Pods we are adding foam padding to the sides as well as the bottom, to hold better shape and add a little protection to what ever your store inside. The Possum shape is changing for ease of access the water bottle on the down tube. More news here on other bags re designs etc.

And here is the blurb on the new style MED size-
A simple zip closure bag, with quick and easy access for storage of gloves, fuel gels, camera, windproofs, GPS units and tools.
We have added a discrete hole with a velcro closure at the front of the bag to allow you to easily pass cables through to your gadgets, battery or dynamo.
Fuel Pod Medium is versatile and lightweight yet since it is constructed from VX21 fabric, it is tenacious and enduring so you can depend on it for many rides to come. The new construction method gives a tidier finish and slightly more rigidity that helps it sit up straight.
Fuel Pod Medium is a super handy pack to keep everything right in front of you. Just the right size for a day out on two wheels and longer multi-day bikepacking trips. Ideal for storing GPS units, camera, wallets, lightweight windproof, sunglasses or gloves and accessible with one hand whilst riding.
Fuel Pod comes with a large easy grip zip puller and finger tab to make it easier to zip with gloved hands - you will appreciate that come winter!
The pod has minimal interference with your movements or the bike’s steering: we leave ours attached permanently to the bike, that way you never forget those little essentials.
Key features

• New: Front facing cable port
• Foam lined outer to prevent damage to the contents or your frame
• Secure and versatile webbing ladder velcro attachment system
• 13 grams lighter than the previous version!
• Velcro straps included

Vital Stats -

Materials: VX21
Zips: YKK weatherproof
Weight: 67 g
Length: 21 cm
Width: 6 cm
Height: 11 cm
Cable port hole: 25 mm diameter

 

Catch up on the lack of goings on this week.

Well what can I say, the weather has been worse this week than it has the whole of winter. Durham County Council have spread more grit in 7 days than they have all winter season and ploughed more roads on high ground. Every day has either been lashing rain, sleet, hail, snow and mixed in with plenty of wind.
The Tour of Yorkshire coverage on the TV has been rubbish to say the least so far. They have also had awful weather. Its pouring down now for Stage 3 leaving from the NE.
I was due to service the car today for its mot on Friday and its still lashing down and cold.
Only got a couple of quick walks in this week when there was a gap in the weather but even then we got caught out and soaked.
No wheels have turned so no miles but hopefully it might dry up for a couple of hours tomorrow.
It has also been a week of new Garmin products and shit customer service.
Angus has my old Tomtom for work but its sometimes plays up and he has the same area to cover as me so decided to get a new sat nav which was more reliable. Garmin have just took out a new range of nuvi's so he got a ex demo cheap from the Durham Halfords store where he used to work. The lads sorted his out a good price.
I was also looking for a Garmin Forerunner as I am sick of taking out my Edge 810 when out walking. Jane has the Forerunner 10 but does not have hr option but a quick google and the new replacement 15 model is hr compatible. The rrp is £120! so was going to get one from Wiggle but found out Maplin stock them and there new Durham branch has just opened up so popped over. We had a 10% voucher from there opening weekend to use and they were £80 on there website. I tried to order in store but after a long wait and a couple of different staff I just gave up and come away. Newcastle branch had one in so did click & collect as we were going up to to the Toon yesterday anyway. Well the service up there was even worse. The staff member gave me a good shouting at as I should not have come to collect it as they did not ring me. I did get a text & email stating my order was ready for collection but I was informed that Maplin don't send texts or emails! After nearly 10 minutes of verbal he said he would go and look , he found it within seconds! complete and utter di** head.
Angus's iPhone is also coming up to 3 years old now, he is on phone replacement three now so time to get rid before it breaks again. We went to the one in Eldon Square where we were serviced quite quickly and they had the one he wanted. Apple also do a trade in service now so you pay the difference. Angus had his id so was going well until after 5 mins the lad worked out he was under 18 so could not trade in but only buy. He told me that I could trade it in on my sons behalf and asked for a passport, which I do not have or a card driving licence which I do not have, just the paper copy. Cut a long storey short the rude staff member told me that nearly everybody in the uk has a passport and card licence and I was a small minority. I did have my photo staff government id card and bankers card & utility bill etc etc but sorry you cannot shop with Apple. On that not I walked out and will be going to Stormfront in Durham where should have gone in the first place to sort it out. Jane went back to Apple later in the day and asked the manager how do the deal with customers who do not have a passport or card licence and they do accept paper licences as well, no apology so they are not getting the sons £400.
So Apple & Maplin we will not be returning and spending our hard earned £'s in your stores.
ps and its still pouring down!