Back to some sun, heat and black fly's on the Creo 1 gravel bike.

 

Finally got some heat and sun back in Co Durham. I was back out on the Creo 1 gravel bike for another short out n back local spin. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park then straight up to the crossroads at Consett. Here I turned left and over Hownsgill viaduct and at the next two gate / farm track crossing I turned right and followed the lane all the way to the A68 where I turned and headed back. There was a strong cooling breeze but it was sunny and the Garmin was still reading 20 degrees. On the way back down I turned off onto the country back lanes around to the other side of Lanchester then back on the line to Langley Park. The lines are back to being bone dry and dusty again! Today it was not all green fly but black fly's, it is worse than ever for some reason, covered from head to toe again. There was a few others out but not too busy. 

Enjoy the few sunny snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Warmer, Sunnier and Greenfly hell on the old railway lines

 

Defo warmer and sunnier out on the bike compared to bank holiday Monday. There was a white frost this morning places when at work but it soon warmed up with the sun. It was a short loop today taking in two of Co Durham's old railway lines and a short road section. The green fly was totally unreal and I was covered in them from head to toe. It is the worst I have ever seen or felt it, the bike was also covered in them. The old railway lines have dried back out again with the wind and sun. As you can see I am back out enjoying the Creo 1 gravel bike with the 650b wheels still on. Below are a couple of snaps from the loop, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Bank Hol Monday - Back out on the Creo 1 ravel bike in the cold and damp

 

After two days and one night of election work I was well tired for two days after. I dragged my arse out this morning in the cold with full winter kit back on again. It was cloudy and overcast with a stiff breeze in places to make it feel even colder. The Garmin was hovering around 5 degrees. The sun did try and get out once or twice but did not come to anything. I hoped onto the old railway line at Langley Park then around to Broompark picnic area. Straight on to Stanley Crook, Crook then a short road section to Willington. I hoped back onto the old railway line at the Coop and back to Langley Park. The heavy overnight rain had dampened down the dust in most places as well. All in just over 26 miles in 2 hours with 1200ft of climbing. Not may others out, don't blame then, typical bank holiday weather! Enjoy a few snaps below from the ride and hopefully more soon - 

Fresh Goodies - Topeak Smart Gauge D2x (Digital Pressure Gauge)

 

When we were away in Scot land I had a look around the local bike shop in Peebles, which is up for sale again! I decided to treat myself to a new fancy digital pressure gauge. Why  I picked this one is you can use the head on both presta and schrader valves without unscrew or adapting things. Yes it was not cheap but once in a while you have to have yourself a new shiny tool! I paid £41.99 and the new rrp is £43. I will have more on this in an up coming Fresh Goods Sunday after some use. 

Mini heatwave continues so does the dusty gravel tracks around Spennymoor & Bishop Auckland

 

Another day and the mini heatwave continues in County Durham. It is even hotter today but it is going to end soon and back to normal! As I mentioned in my previous blog I was going to dig out my old Creo 1 gravel bike and that is what I did. I pumped up the tyres, removed the rear mudguard, lights and she was ready to rock n roll again. I was going to swap the wheels over to my DT SWISS 700c's with the gravel king tyres on but thought why not leave the DT SWISS 650b wheelset on with 2" Conti mtb tyres. Yet again we have had no rain so there was plenty of dust getting kicked up off the tyres. I rode over to one of my regular loops Brnadon, Croxdale, Tudhoe, Speenymoor, Bishop Auckland, Willington , Brandon loop. It was glorious sunshine for the whole ride and the Garmin reading around 23 degrees. Again below are a few sunny and warm looking snaps, enjoy and hopefully more soon-