Steady away Sunday morning local sunny ride inc Cox Green / Lambton area

 

Another sunrise was forecasted for this morning so I was up and out early doors. I missed the sunrise but it was still a beautiful morning. The Garmin was hovering around 6 degrees but I planned a route so I had a tailwind going out and a headwind coming back in when the temperature was due to increase a little. I headed off over to Cox Green the "back way" as I call it. I then crossed over the river and dropped onto the C2C and headed for Sunderland. The section before the A19 was supposed to be closed for resurfacing but they have not started yet, the verges have been cut back and that's it. Talking about that its hawthorn hedge whacking again here, oh the joys. Time to top up the tubeless sealant in the tyres. There was a few others out n about enjoying the sun but not too busy. I did not feel the head wind until I dropped onto the cycle path up the side of the A167 towards home. I hate this stretch at the best of times but with a stonking headwind its a killer at the end of a ride. All in just under 26 miles in 2hrs 2mins with 2100ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon. 

Local mainly gravel loop in the sun and chilling wind

 

It has been a really busy when since I have returned to work catching up with things. The mornings are getting colder with the van reading 6 degrees one morning at 6.30am! I managed one of my local gavel loops with a couple of tarmac inter linking sections. The sun was in and out and the Garmin reading between 10-12 degrees for the whole ride. What the killer was the wind, I never seemed to get a good tailwind for some reason. The tracks n trails were all mainly quiet but they are not bone dry and dusty no more with the recent rain. I have dug out my thin long fingered gloves, winter socks and headband to keep me warmer. I have swapped over onto my 29x2.2" tyres / wheelset. I have a dry squeal coming from my back Hunt 700c wheel so that is on my list to have a look at. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Restrap Rear Toptube Bag

 

With running two different two sets of wheels on my Creo 2 gravel bike I carry one 29x2.2" tube in my seat pack bag all year but had no where to put my two 700c x 45c spare inner tubes when running my extender battery as they were in a storage bottle along with a spare Co2 canister when I am running my 700c wheeelset. I have a rear toptube bag which I bought many years ago from Wildcat bags before they sold up but it was too wide on the Creo and my inner thighs rubbed the sides of the bag. I looked on the Restrap website and found this one which looked to be ideal in size and width. In fact it is a little too high for what I use it for but better to a little more space than not enough. The zip and pull is the same as used on my Canister handle bar bag, no issues there. It attaches to the frame with two velcro straps, one around the seatpost and one around the toptube. The one around the seatpost was spot on but the one around the toptube I had problems with. When I fitted the bag it was moving from left to right through the loop on the bottom of the bag. After some thought I glued the velcro strap to the underside of the bag so it would stop the sideways movement and it worked. The only other thing I did was fit frame protection to the top of the toptude where the bags sits and around the toptube where the velcro strap wraps around for more protection to the paintwork. The bag does not move around now when riding along any of the tracks that I ride. Again the inside lining is bright orange. There is nothing more I can say about the bag really apart from its made in Yorkshire and comes with a lifetime warranty. I would recommend and have no further issues with the bag.  Again if you shop around some retailers have around 10-15% off Restrap products at the mo. 

RRP £37.99 and I paid £32.03 from Team Cycles @ Gateshead. 

Manufacturers Info - 

Description

The Rear Top Tube Bag is the perfect add-on to maximise storage on your bike when frame space is limited, all other attachment points have been used or you want to organise tools, spares, food or other accessories into a separate compartment.

A simple zip closure allows for easy one-handed access. Hypalon MOLLE accents on the base and rear of the bag each provide two placements for the double sided velcro straps, allowing you to tailor the bag to be ideal for your set up.

Handmade in our Yorkshire workshop from 100% waterproof textured nylon outer and finished with the classic vegan-friendly PU leather Restrap label.

Weight - 65g
Capacity - 0.8L

Technical Features

TEXTURED NYLON OUTER
DESIGNED TO FIT ANY BICYCLE
YKK AQUAGUARD™ ZIP
ADJUSTABLE STRAPS

Lifetime Warranty

Restrap products carry a lifetime guarantee to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. We stand by our products and will cover the cost to repair or replace any defective product.

Early Sunday morning ride inc being run off the road by a bus & set fire to by a dog walker, oh the joys of cycling

 

I am still on my holidays and had planned on going out this week but it did not happen. Jane was off so we spent some time together and took Angus's dog out n about ever day. Got quite a few jobs sorted around the home, vehicles and sorted a few things out which we have been meaning to do for a while. Jane is back tomorrow and I am back to work on Tuesday as I have one of the cars to drop off at Stockton for its service, mot and sort out a couple of jobs out on it tomorrow. 

Todays forecast was looking good for the morning so last night I got my bike ready- charged it up, pumped up the tyres and gave it a quick once over. I looked out my cycling kit as well to reduce time in the morning looking for everything. 

I was planning on being out before sunrise at 6.30am but that did not happen as I slept in and felt well rough when I woke up. I was up and out just after 7am but not real sunrise to speak of to be honest. I had a route planned in my head so picked up the cycle track down to Chester le Street where I had a run in with a bus on the front street at 7.20am with no other traffic around, decided to run me off the road, mental just does not even describe it. Anyway out of Chester and towards Birtley where I picked up the C2C and straight up to Consett. This stretch of line was lovely and quiet, no sure where everybody is today as it normally busier. At the crossroads I turned left and headed down to Baxster's Farm. I had a run in with a dog walker who totally lost the plot with me for passing him and his out of control dogs at around 2-3mph and ringing my bell twice. He set fire to me, screaming and shouting so he got put in his place, not putting up with shit like that on a Sunday morning. The sun finally come out with around 5 miles to go which warmed things up nicely. 

All in just over 35 miles in 2hrs 29mins with 1400ft of climbing. A few photos below, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc a Fresh Goods Sunday at 4pm.  

Fresh Goodies - Attacus Men's Lightweight Windproof Gilet - Grey

 

I was not really after another lightweight gilet as I replaced my old Attacus gilet with my new Assos model but I noticed they had a new design with three rear pockets now and it was in there summer sale. I have not bought any Attacus products since the company was sold and moved down south. The quality looks just the same as the old model but the rrp in my eyes is just too high compared to main street big manufacturers. The rrp is £89.99 plus £3.99 p&p = £93.98 is a lot of money for a basic gilet. 

I paid £72 + £3.99 p&p = £75.99, saving £17.99. More on this in a future Fresh Goods Sunday but may be a while as its going into my spare stock draw for the time being.