Snowy and sunny ride up and down the C2C around Consett

 

Well the winter sun came back out again today after last night snow shower. I have never ridden in such perfect snow, it was not too deep, not too soft, not too hard, not too icy, it was just perfect. In fact the only real time I had to slow down was for sharp corners and several thick sheet ice sections. There was quiet a few walkers out enjoying the winter sun. There was only a couple of other tyre tracks up and down the old railway line, I was expecting way more. It did not feel that cold either as the Garmin was only reading minus -1 degrees. I only managed to squeeze a 10 miler in but by god did I enjoy it. The camera was working better today so managed to get a few more sunny snaps and a short video clip at the bottom of the blog. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Finally back out on the bike for a cold winter sunny spin & some Fresh Goodies

 

Well its the first time out on my bike since Nov 25th and I am still not feeling 100%. I took the Creo gravel today and left it on medium power for the simple out n back route to Bishop to help my lungs. I jumped onto the frozen railway line and had a canny spin over to Bishop mainly in the sun but the Garmin was still reading minus -2 degrees. I have plenty layers on so was not feeling the cold but on the way back it clouded over and it started to feel cold on my back. The cold must have gone to the camera as well as it was playing up so not many snaps today. All in just over 17 miles with less than 500ft of climbing. There was not that many other users out on the old railway line so it was mainly plain sailing apart from a few stray dogs and owners! 

Oh and I had a delivery from XC Racer shop - some new disc rotors for the Trek Procaliber, I am down sizing the front from 180mm to 160mm. I also ordered a new MT Zoom lightweight fork bung for when I fit my Travers Bikes carbon forks. 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Bontrager Blendr Garmin High Mount. Part 2

 

This is a follow on from last weeks Fresh Goods Sunday which covered the starting point to mounting my Garmin and light to the Bontrager one piece carbon stem / handlebar combo - Duo Base mounting bracket. Bontrager make several different brackets which mount to the Base, I needed a Garmin mount and one which flips around and sits above the stem as I don't like my Garmin out front on my off road bikes. So this one is called the Garmin High mount. Again it is a moulded piece of black plastic, I was hoping it was going to be of the same quality as the Base mount as I was quite impressed with that. When I cut it from the packaging I could tell it felt and looked like a different plastic and quite flexible. I have read some poor’ish reviews on the bracket and at first sight I thought the same. Fitting is simple enough, loosen and pull out the allen head bolt, slip the mount in the slots and push the bolt back through. I set it so it has a little clearance above the stem so it did not rub off the top of the stem with possible vibrations off road. Once mounted it felt more solid and the Garmin fits in the end with the normal twist turn. The click feeling when locked in place is ok and does not feel too loose compared to some other Garmin mounts I have used in the past. I have been using the mount since I bought the bike and have not managed to accidentally knock the Garmin around in the mount. Overall it has done what it is designed to and I not had any problems with it. The bracket can also be mounted out front as well. Again the rrp is steep for such a small piece of black plastic but there is no other option. 

Next weeks Fresh Goods Sunday covers the second part of the Duo Base - USE Exposure under stem light bracket. 

RRP £13.99 and I paid £0.00 from my Reward Points from Team Cycles (£12.59 from Triton Cycles)  

Manufacturers blurb - 

Blendr is the ultimate integration system for clean and easy installation of lights, computers, and other accessories. Start with a Blendr stem, add the appropriate base, and finish with the Blendr Garmin High Mount for a clean, flush look that securely holds your Garmin centered over the stem.

Product details

1. Blendr is an elegant, integrated accessory mounting solution
2. Provides clean and secure mount for Garmin GPS
3. Works with any Blendr-compatible stem and the accompanying base
4. For use with Blendr bases (Pro, XXX, XXX bar/stem, and select Elite bases)

I removed my temporary Garmin bracket when the Brontrager one was in stock. 

Catch up inc Findra Socks & Travers Bikes EVO Prong Boost Carbon ridged forks

Firstly a catch up as I have proper man flue which satrted last Saturday and I am still not 100% better. I have not done any exercise apart from one slow walk at the end of the week. It has totally wiped me off my feet, been very busy at work and the weather has been proper demoralising to say the least. 

Anyway I have had a couple of parcels this week, starting with some of the best socks I have ever worn from Findra. They were celebrating their birthday so I got 10% off, free p&p, couple of go go bars and a neck warmer, cheers Findra. 

The second parcel was a rather large carboard box which was very light. Since I have bought my Trek Procaliber I very rarely leave the suspension forks unlocked so thought why not just swap them for a pair of ridged carbon forks. 

Well trying to find some that are in stock in the UK and are a reasonable price is like finding rocky horse poo. 

In the end I have opted from some rather shiny looking Travers Bikes EVO Prong Boost in Gloss with cage mounts. These will not be going onto my bike until after crimbo! Michael also popped a neck / head tube warmer, stickers, mt zoom axle and a steerer bung, cheers Mr Travers 

Hopefully get back out soon and we actually see some day or even sunlight. 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Bontrager XXX BarStem Blendr Duo Base. Part 1

 

If you follow my blog you will know I have purchased a Trek Procaliber 9.8 hardtail xc mtb. This came with a combined carbon stem/flat bar set up. In all my 40+ years of cycling this set up has come and gone, been in fashion and gone out of fashion more times that I can remember. Now from memory I am sure this is a first for me and tbh, if it did not come as standard on the bike from factory I would not purchase a combo stem/bar for several reasons. Anyway due to the shape of the stem / bars near to the stem you cannot mount a normal Garmin bracket but Bontrager has thought of this and there is a tiny small grub screw at the front of the bars right in the middle. You can remove this and fit a “Base” to which you can fit several different types of brackets to. The “Base” comes in a duo, which this model is and a single. The quality of the Base is very good and the plastic feels strong and sturdy. The shape at the rear fits against the bars perfectly with no gaps. Once the new bigger fixing bolt is nipped up its going no where. 

Part 2 and 3 will follow in the coming weeks with the Bontrager Garmin ‘on top’ bracket and a USE Exposure light bracket. 

As for value for money well the rrp is eye watering for a lump of plastic and a few bolts and two nuts but they have got you by the short n curlies as no one else makes one. Shop around from some small discount but unless its part of a bigger order or if you find a local Trek / Bontrager dealer with stock you will have to pay p&p as well. 

RRP £13.99 and I paid £0.00 from my Rewards points @ Team Cycles (Triton Cycles £12.59) 

Manufacturers blurb - 

Blendr add-on to bar/stem

Interface solution between Bontrager XXX bar/stem and Blendr XXX mounts

Clean up your Bontrager XXX bar/stem cockpit with Blendr bases.

Blendr works with this simple formula: Stem + Base + Mount. Add accessory.

Product details

1. Blendr works with this simple formula: Stem + Base + Mount. Add accessory.
2. Bases for use with the XXX Integrated Road Handlebar/Stem
3. Add any accessory mount (sold separately) for an elegant, integrated look