Trip up to Kielder on the Mtb's

With the good weather still holding out and next weeks forecast not looking too good it was time for a road trip. 1 1/2 hours later we arrived at a rather cold (2.8 degrees on the Garmin) but sunny Kielder Forest. We parked up at the Castle end and joined on to the Lakeside Way heading on the North side to the dam end. The views were very good over calm waters with the sun blazing away in places. I forgot just how lumpy the north side was. We stopped off at a few of the art creations things then 11 miles later we reached the dam car park. Time for a quick drink and energy bar before riding over the top of the dam wall to join onto the South side. We passed through Tower Knowe then onto the long stretch to Leaplish where we had another quick refreshment break before tackling the last 5 miles back to the castle end. I thought it was a lot less hilly on the south side but there was still a good few climbs along the way, at least there are some flat sections to take a rest and spin on. All in it was a 26 mile loop with around 1700ft climbing.
We then had a go of the maize then back to Leaplish in the car for some late lunch etc, ice reams at Tower Knowe then the road trip back home. Below are a few photos from the ride. I will also upload a few pics from the après ride. Enjoy and hopefully more soon -

Fresh Goods Sunday - Munkees Bicycle Keyring / Bottle Opener

Well its time for a new key ring for the car keys. I have used the bottle opener type alu key rings for many years and have never failed! apart from the anodising wearing off with use.
When we were up in Peebles in the summer there is a small gift shop in the high street which sells lots of cycling related gifts and found the above key ring. She had loads of different colours but I opted for the stealth dark matt grey colour.

Manufacturers blurb - Munkees Bottle opener Key rings
These great bottle opener key rings come in a range of silhouetted shapes - something for everyone!
Sports, animals and fish - there's a great shape you!
PERFECT GIFTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS OF ALL AGES !!
WEBSITE LINK

Contents:

• 1 x Bottle Opener Key Ring

Dimensions:

• Shapes and sizes vary according to design

Saturday morning ride on the Salsa Carbon Beargrease + Neccl Rd 3 Photos

I was up and out early this morning before 7am so it was still dark for the nearly the first half of the ride. I had my lights on the Salsa Carbon Beargrease and also the 5" Bud up front for a change. I dropped down in to Durham for a steady scoot around the riverbanks before heading off to Maiden Castle / Houghall woods then up the trod for a hill climb. I then dropped back down and did a loop around the river at Maiden Castle before heading back to Durham, around the river banks again then back home via Frankland Farm, dog kennels and the sands.
It was a lovely morning with the temperature hovering around 8 degrees and no wind down in Durham. The trails were also very quiet at that time of morning so no hassle with students, dog walkers, runners, tourists etc. All in I think it was around 16 miles so not too bad for a quick spin out. below are a few pics from the ride (sorry the camera does not like the dark / slow speed shots), enjoy and more soon -

 

5" Bud up front today

Plenty of technical dry roots in the woods

Not very often you see the river Wear as calm as this, not even a ripple

Then it was on to NECCL RD 3 @ Meadowfield. The course / ground conditions were spot on. The grass was bone dry and rock hard making it easy under the tyre. The Meadowfield bank down near the stream sorted the boys from men today. Here is a link to the MBE Gallery Many thanks to Cestria CC for organising the round, great success.

NECCL RD3 Today @ Meadowfield Sports Centre

Yes today its round 3 on a very fast course around the grounds of Meadowfield Sports Centre. Usual times and fees. Make the most of the fantastic ground conditions before its turns to mud!