Ride down the C2c to Cox Green & back up

 

I was working up in the north of the county today so had a ride down the C2C line to Cox Green and back. On the way down I turned off left into the woods Beamish for some lovely single track. There are loads of trails through the woods and I do not know where most of them end up but its all good fun. The weather was overcast and cloudy with the temperature just getting into double figures when I nearly finished the ride. There was a canny breeze as well so had on my gillet, jersey, base layer, arm warmers and still felt nippy!  Below are a few snaps from the ride.

 

 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Salomon Speedtrak Trail Trainers

I have been after a replacement pair of trail trainers for a while now as my old New Balance ones are worn out. I  have tried several different models of newer New Balance trainers on but they just don't fit my feet properly. When we were last over in the Lakes we were having a look around George Fisher and they were selling off last season model colours so tired on a pair of these. I normally take an 8 or 8.5 but they were far too small so ended up with 9.5. Its the first time I have bought Salomon trainers so was not sure on sizing. Jane had a pair for many years and lasted very well until the wire lace snapped on one.
The soles are well chunky and are designed for pure off road running.  The knobs squirm about when on tarmac or hard packed small gravel tracks. They have plenty grip on grass / muddy trails and soles clear well. I have only used them off road on a few runs so far but are very comfortable and quick / easy to pull on and take off. The lace system has not come loose yet and stays in place. They are good value for money at £60 but the £100 full rrp is too steep in my eyes. Only time will tell if they last as long as my New Balance ones. I will feed back more after some more trail running or should I say jogging at my pace!
RRP £100 and I paid £60 from George Fisher, Keswick.

Manufacturers Blurb -
Need-to-Know

Reference: 394700

Mud makes running shoes into sloppy, heavy blobs, making it really hard to run. The SPEEDTRAK uses a hyper aggressive grip and low profile, lightweight design to shed as much mud as possible, so you can run right past the competition.

RUNNING USAGE

Training and racing

WEATHER CONDITIONS TRAIL

Mud

TERRAIN TRAIL

Wet and dirty

Wet Traction Contagrip®  

Moulded EVA

EVA shaped footbed 

Anti-debris mesh 

Protective synthetic toe cap 

Sensifit™

Quicklace™ 

Lace pocket

Tongue cover 

 

WEIGHT:

280g

Midsole Height :

23mm/17mm (6mm drop)

 

Technical information

outsole

• Wet Traction Contagrip®

midsole

• Molded EVA
• injected EVA

sockliner

• EVA shaped footbed

protection

• Protective synthetic toe cap

 

 

 

and my old New Balance Trail shoes which are worn out to say the  least, but very comfortable.

 

Early Saturday Morning spin on the E bike around Durham / Houghall Woods

First ride out on the bike this week since going back to work on Wednesday. I normally have a quieter week at work during the school hols but its been none stop and had loads of jobs to sort out / do when I got back in. We did manage a 2 hour hot hike on Thursday and that has been it.
Early this morning I headed out as the storms were due at 11am today until 8am Sunday morning. It started off cloudy but warm with no sunshine so it was more pleasant to ride in. I decided to have a play around in Forester's woods on the back way down to Durham before heading around the river banks etc to come out at Houghall woods where I did the top downhill single track in reverse! then a bit more playing about before heading over to the trod then around Maiden Castle then back around the riverbanks and out at Frankland Farm. By now the rain had started and the lanes were wet but I still managed to get the dog kennel / sands loop in before crossing back over the railway line to call in past my mums to say hello. After that it was a short spin home.
Once back in a quick pit stop to get changed and straight back out in the van to Bishop for a shop at Morrisons, fuel, banks, breakfast in the café and a stroll up to the House of Smudge to pay another deposit on a painting.