Nutcracker Rd 5 Aske Estate, Richmond Sun 14th July + KONA 2014 FAT BIKE

Yes this Sunday is Round 5 of the Nutcracker MTB Series. Just outside Richmond on Aske Estate based near the saw mills. Its normally a cracking course and hopefully less wind this time. You can enter on the day if you have not pre entered. James and crew organise a very well run days racing and MBE will be helping to organise the Sweatmosters at Midday. Take you kids along for some great free racing. Full details are on the Nutcracker website

Wo! – Kona gets super fat

Built out of Kona Butted 6061 Aluminum, with a 170mm rear axle, 100mm BB, 31.6 dropper post compatibility, a host of bottle and rack mounts, as well as low standover, the Wo is built to balance weight, performance and price. At long last, the Kona Ride comes to hard-packed snow, sand dunes, swamp or whatever other fat-wheel-loving surface you may ride. Suggested retail: £1499

Stockton Cycling Festival & more

Firstly apologies for not many updates since last week but my mum ended up in Intensive Care on Sat and is still there. Stable and getting slightly better but no where near on her feet again.
It was the Stockton Cycling Festival last weekend. We went down the Sunday and what a cracking day with blisstering heat and sun. The lads did their road races which was a shock to their systems as its there first road race of the year! They both did ok considering it was there first road one. What we like is all the other displays / try out areas etc. The stunt show lads were fantastic, me and Angus did the Rollapaluza Roller Racing Challenge 500m flat out, first time i have done it, bloody hard work but got 24.94seconds for my first go! think that is ok ish? We would have liked to stop all day but had to get back to Durham for visiting time. We did see the Sky ride set of and the big hitters. Massive field for the main race and we seen them on the open roads on the way home. It was like a mini TDF - 111miles in just over 4hrs for the winner- unreal. Here are some photos from the day.

XTR Rear Mech has been fitted and tested. Very smooth and lighter action than my old mech. Its also lighter than the old mech as well. If its lasts as long as any of my other Shimano mechs it will be on a few bikes.

Getting ready for MBE Series and bling update

Yes its that time of year where we send a good few hours going through the tubs etc and check / clean & replace all the missing items from last years races. Here is Angus sorting the numbers ready for the season starting. Paperwork is done and venues booked. Just sorting out the paperwork for on the day & after now. Then its onto course prepration and planning @ Hetton Lyons.

I gave you a sneak preview of one of last weeks boxes but here it its in more detail. I have not wore a watch for many years and never owned an expensive big boys bling watch. Well it is the Tour De France 100th Anniversary so to celebrate I bought a Limited Edition watch. I have swapped the strap from the metal version to the plastic version, set it up and is running like a dream. The only down side is the shear weight of the thing, it might be normal for this type of watch but when I first started using it if felt heavy. After a couple of days im used to it now and dont really notice it. Comes in a lovely presentation box within another box. Also the tool for removing/fitting the straps, warranty & instruction booklets are all inc. I recieved excellent service from David Cooke - creative watch and arrived before 1pm the following day of ordering.  

Back to more bike related items, I have always used certain models of MET helemets in the past as they fit my odd shaped head perfect. Its been alot of years since I used an mtb version and just used my Met Stradivarius for all types of riding. With me using my FAT bike the most since building it and there was a great offer on the Kaos Ultimate model it was time to get a mtb version again. Next day it landed, took it out of the box and set up the straps, adjusted the dial and it was ready to go. It has the same gel pads as my road version and is very comfy. Been using it over the last couple of months in many types of weather conditions and havent had any problems. The straps need some fine adjustment now as everything has settled in.

Also a new rear mech has landed for the BEARGREASE. I will fit it hopefully this week and feedback on its performance after a some miles using it. I have used XTR rear mechs on many bikes that have come with them as standard but never one with carbon plates. Looks very bling and if it works like the older ones then I will be happy. I keeping with good old 9 speed for the mo. Might upgrade to 10 at some point but not in any great rush. Angus has Sram 10 speed on his Mukluk and it has a very fast crisp shift and is very smooth in operation. The way to go could be Sram XX1 - time to rob a bank lol  

Busy, busy week inc C2C training

Its been a very busy week and i have never stopped.
Monday - was a rest day from the bike but got caught up with a load of jobs around the house afte work
Tuesday - got finished slightly early so hit the tracks on the Beargrease. Overcast evening but still warm. Stopped local and had a good blast around covering 25miles & 1250ft climbing.
Wednesday - the sun was back out so took the road bike out for a blast around the hills of Tow Law and surrounding area 36miles 3500ft climbing
Thursday - legs were tired so back on the Beargrease for a steady 16mile loop from Meadowfield and just under a 1000ft of climbing.
Friday - raining and a rest day but decided to go out for a meal on the night. We had not been to the Chilton Moor for over a year and knew it has had a tart up / new menu. Booked a table in advance and plonked ourselves down. Menu had a cracking choice of all kinds of food and prices werent too bad. Even better as we had the choise of two mains for £12 because we ordered before 6.30pm. Combo starter was excellent. Along wait for the main but it was worth it. Four plates full for food and very tasty. Kids had ice cream to wash it all down and four rounds of drinks as well, total bill just under £44 - bargain - defo be going back there again.
Saturday - just been paid and no food or drink in the house so off to Morrisons - nearly 3hrs later and spent £260 ! but that did inc £50 derv for the van. Arran had his School Summer Farye on the pm - spent a small fortune but had a great afternoon.
Sunday - time for C2C training. Got dropped off at Nenthead. Cold, windy & overcast but by the time we climbed out of Rockhope (the offroad way) and onto the Moor the Sun was out. Got a cracking tail wind down the Waskerley. Rocker was under our tyres in no time. Cracking 52.5mile ride and planning the middle leg of the training route now - probably Threlked to Nenthead next

This weeks brown box deliveries inc a Ice Toolz crown race remover tool. I was sick of messing around with old screwdrivers & hammer etc over the years and was time to get the proper tool. I ordered this one  from BikeTart as it has 36% off and free delivery. It landed within a few days and there was a voucher code for another 10% and future orders - click on the photo for the code if you want to order anything. Not used it yet but Ian D has one and he recommended it.  

The heaviest box of week was this beauty. More on it next week but here is link to the watch - creative watch company Many thanks to David Cooke for the excellent sales service.

2014 FAT Bike Models inc Carbon Beargrease

Details are starting to show up on various websites with info on Surly, Salsa and Singular brands. I think the most talked about will be carbon verion of last years alu Beargrease from Salsa. Bikeradar has done a short test ride on a prototype and wrote a breif report and some pics here . No details of the 2014 Mukluk range yet but dont think it will be very long to wait.

Surly have chnaged the colour and some spec on their range of Pugsley, Moonlander etc. The new gold colour of the moonlander is defo brighter than the previous years black.

Singular Cycles here in the UK also have a new prototype out called the Puffin. Its looking good and if the price is right should be a good seller. Some detail on their Facebook page

and last but not least another uk company Genesis are doing the Caribou, steel frameset etc

Kona are also going to do one but not sure if it is going to be imported to the uk shores

Parkhead Station Cafe ride

With only a couple of rides in on the FAT Bike last week and a day off shopping @ the TOON on Saturday is was time for a spin yesterday. Forecast was not looking good and was going to be a race to see how far we could get before the rain started. It was a cool start to the morning with a stiff breeze so Richy planned to have a ride upto Parkhead Station Cafe & back. By the time we got to the Consett junction I knew the last leg onto the open moor upto the cafe was going to be tough going. I was not wrong, it was a headwind all the way but it was dry and getting warmer as we reached the top. Normally its the opposite and you start to put layers on. Got to the top, quick break then join the hoards of riders heading down the Waskerley on the C2C. Its was like a motorway, never seen so many cyclists but is was the most popular weekend to do the C2C / longest day etc. Once we turned at Consett to head back to Durham it was alot quieter with just the usual dog walkers, horse riders, runners, kids etc ! Just got in the door and the heavens opened and i mean opened. We skirted the rain clouds all the way from Consett with just a few light shows so did well. Here is the Garmin route 47 miles and a couple of thousand foot climbed

REVIEW - Schwalbe Marathon Extreme - 700x35c tyres. I first purchased a pair of these tyres well over a year ago now for general use on the lines / urban riding as i was sick to death of wearing out general cx tyes & getting punctures. At the time it was the most I had ever spent on tyres for a bike and thought to myself these better be something special for the money. They are not the lightest buy any means but they are also not the heavy. They went on the rims well and pumped up great. After many rides / miles never had to touch them once. Right time to get a second pair and they had dropped in price as Schwalbe had took out a new model which had less offroad tread pattern - no good for me so stuck with the old model. These went onto Angus's spare wheels for more general / mileage use. Again no probs. Bought my new cx bike and a third pair was bought. These have never been off the bike from new and showing no signs of wear. Yes they are expensive but you save that in tubes / patches etc. They roll well on tarmac, plenty grip off road as long as its not too muddy, good puncture Double Defense protection and have a reflective strip on the sidewalls for night rides in the dark. Spa Cycles @ Harrogate still have stock in various sizes here

Three Peaks CX Video plus other stuff

Here is a cracking video clip for this years Three Peaks CX event, if you have done it before you will understand the video clip and probably have a bloody good old laugh, i did. Full info on this year Three Peaks Sun 29th September is here well worth a look down to watch the riders suffer in pain on the climbs and even the descents and on the road, well the whole race really. Edit the below link dosent show up on I pads etc so here is a direct link

FAT Fork adaptors are finished and ready for use

Also some photos from NE XC Series Rd 6 - Saltburn here not very good and not many as there was no where to watch apart from the finish area really and the woods were dark. It was muddy and slippery with plenty of trees roots through woods and bitten by midges, bloody hate the things. Arran had a cracking race but was alittle short in duration. He got 3rd overall and 1st U10. Angus did the full course which was over 5k by all accounts and 95% singletrack through the woods. He really enjoyed it and got 5th overall. The killer was the walk / ride from the carpark to registration then another 10mins to get to the start line. First time any of our bikes have been as muddy for long time, sticky mud as well - took some washing off the next day. Talking about that I will do a review on some cleaning products soon.

Events Coming up

STOCKTON CYCLING FESTIVAL - 4th, 5th & 6th July 2013 full deatils are on the velo29 events website We have been going to this event since it very first started and is always a cracking day out on the Sunday. There is loads of things to do for all ages & abilities on the day from the Sky ride, bike demos, stunt shows, stalls etc. Just hope there is some nice weather as it has been a complete wash out a few times in the past with people taking cover under the foot bridge and the rain bouncing a foot high on the road.

Nutcracker Round 4 Sheffield - Sun 23rd June 2013. Its well out of the region for this round but should be well orgainsed as ever. By the looks of it the cousre is going to be a very fast / 4.8k short lap in a rural setting. Entry on the day £26. Full details are here
Too far MBE to go but its back to Aske Estate Rd 5 Sun 14th July for the next one.

FAT Fork Adaptors & other stuff

Well they have landed and will be used alot to carry the FAT bikes across the UK. All the fork mounted racks in the world dont fit fat forks so adaptors have to be used. There are some adaptors in America etc but decided to do some home brew designed ones. A trip to local fabricators and they were designed. They landed today and have been dry tested with forks in. Just need to spray them up and there finished. Couple of old rear skewers slotted through and ready. Heavy but bullet proof! May be use thinner guage uprights and not so tall but then it saves me bending my back so far to undo them. Many thanks to Dave & the lads from aycliffe fabrications yes they fabricated & erected the Head just off the roundabout @ Newton Aycliffe / A1.

Thursday - finished off building / adjusting Angus's new CX bike ready for the weekend.

Friday - only had time for a quick night loop around Durham river banks and back home. Cracking night and Angus took his new Addict Cx out. Report to follow soon after a few more miles on it.

Saturday - time to get a few miles in so we headed off to Bishop along the lines then to Speeny woods, Croxdale woods, Bowburn and back into Durham & home - 36 miles and steady going route on the Cx bikes. Angus is enjoying the new carbon bling

Sunday - time for a few more miles. Again it was hot after it warmed through by mid morning. Down to Cox Green, took the wrong line and nearly headed to Sunderland, quick back track and off upto Consett. 16 mile climb in the a headwind. Turned left at the coal truck and back to Durham stopping at knitsley farm shop for a refuel at the cafe and spent a small fortune in the shop. Arran got dropped off to finish the last 11-12 miles of the ride with us. Cracking ride - 44 mile route 

Monday - no time for a ride, flat out at work, straigh thome and away down to the League2000 for the evening. Goods nights racing and good crack.