A week of overcast cloud and dark skies, cold temperatures and struggling to get any miles in

 

Well what a strange week it has been, I have tried several times to get out on my bike but it has just not happened. The weather has not helped with overcast, cloudy and dark skies all week. We have had no real daylight as such and the temperature has well and truly dropped. The wind has made it feel even colder and autumn has set in now. Today though I dragged my lazy fat arse out for a short out n back route on the C2C line from Beamish to Hownsgill viaduct n back. It was just over 22 miles in 1hr 43mins with just under 800ft of climbing. There was a few others out but not many. Christ when is the sun ever going to show its face again, proper depressing this cloud and darkness every day, on the plus side we have had no rain. Enjoy a few photos below from the ride and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goodies - Assos Autumn & Winter Kit

 

First up is the Assos Trail Steppenwolf 2/3 Spring Fall Jacket T3 Torpedo Grey, rrp £195 and I paid £137 inc next day delivery from Assos Outlet. 30% off. 

Next up is Assos Mille GT Spring Fall 2/3 Bib Knickers C2 Black Series, rrp £185 and I paid £125.80 inc next day delivery from Assos Outlet. 32% off.

Last but not least Assos Mille GT 3/3 Bib Tights C2 Black Series, rrp £205 and I paid £102.50 inc 48hr delivery from Sigma Sports. 50% off.

I will do a Fresh Goods Sunday Blog on each of the items after some use on the saddle. I already have a pair of the winter bib longs so these will be a spare pair. I also have the Assos Trail Steinalder Jacket T3 and is fantastic so when the Trail Spring Fall Jacket come back into stock I could not resist! 

The 3/4 bib tights will replace my very old Endura ones. This is the first pair of 3/4's from Assos so will see what they are like. 

A freezing cold autumn local mainly gravel loop

 

We have been away the last couple of days enjoying some lovely Autumn sun in North Yorkshire. We stopped over at Thirsk and called in past Stokesley, Helmsley on the way down and Northallerton on the way back up. 

Today it was forecast for a beautiful sunrise and warm temperatures. I was out before the sunrise time but there was no rise, just overcast and cloudy. It was not warm either with the Garmin reading zero degrees. I had on most of my winter kit but for some daft reason I did not put on my Northwave Artic winter boots. The sun did come out at Stanley Crook where the temperature shot up to over 4 degrees. On the way back down to Crook it was freezing again. There was a few others out and about early but not too many. The sun also disappeared with three miles from home. I was not feeling the best today, nothing in my legs and I felt tired and my back is still sore. I plugged away and managed 25.25 miles in 2 hours with just under 1500ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc a Assos Fresh Goodies Blog! 

Back out in the dark of Durham City Centre

 

Apologies for the lack of blogs recently but I have not been out on my bikes due to storm Amy - rain/wind and my back went off last Saturday. 

Today it was warm and dry first thing so I was up and out at 6am for a short ride before I started work. I did my normal loop down to Durham, over to Maiden Castle, up and down The Trod and around Brasside / The Sands on the way home. It was lovely and quiet first thing with not many others out. As I said it was not that cold and just a gentle breeze. I took my Trek Marlin+ e hardtail mtb and its running well. I was running my USE Exposure Zenith on the handlebars and my USE Exposure Sirius on my helmet. Daylight was just coming through when I was heading back home. Below are a few snaps from the 15 miles in 1hr 13mins with 700ft of climbing, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

A mainly gravel loop taking in two of County Durham's old railway lines

 

Another day and another ride on my Specialized Creo 2. The sun was out for a brief while but it was mainly overcast and cloudy on my local mainly gravel loop. After nearly a full day of rain on Wednesday the lines have just started to dry back out a little but they still had a few puddles and silty sections to contend with. It was mainly lovely and quiet with just a few others out but I mainly had my head down and arse up. My legs were not feeling it but I wanted to go faster for some reason! Anyway below are a few snaps from the 19 mile loop taking in Croxdale, Sunderland Bridge, Brawns Den, Willington, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Tudhoe Village. Enjoy and hopefully more soon-