Catch up time on some graft and swapping Krampgrease 29+ / Beargrease 26+ tyres over

From getting back from Kielder's road trip last week I have never stopped, well apart from yesterday (Monday) as I am bad with flue like symptoms and was in bed for most of the day. I have been doing many jobs around my mums house and here at home, the list just never seems to end at the mo and is taking some catching up. The weather hasn't been the best, spent three days working outside freezing my butt off in the wind (probably how I caught a cold) but the forecast is looking better mid week.
Today after decorating my mums kitchen I decided to dig out the spring / summer 26+ & 29+ tyres for a swap around. Before starting I always fire up the compressor for the tank to fill up, this has got to be one of the best investments I have bought since owing fat bikes!
29+ Krampgrease - took off the Maxxis 3" Chronicles and re fitted the Surly 3" Knard's.
26+ Beargrease - took off the Surly 4" Nates and re fitted 45nrth 4" Dillingers
Spare 26+ wheelset - left the Surly 5" Bud on the front and refitted 45nrth 4" Husker Du to the rear.
Arrans Mukluk 26+ - I have kept the Surly Dirt Wizards on for the mo but have a spare 45nrth 4" Husker Du and a pair of worn On One 4" floaters ready to fit at some time later.
Approx an hour later all sorted, whilst in the man cave it went dark and there was a hail storm followed by heavy rain, just great!
Whilst I had the wheels out of the frames / forks I gave the inside of the frames / drop outs and inside of the forks a good clean and check all the brake pads for wear. I decided to fit a new pair of pads to the rear of the Krampgrease as they were nearly down to the bone.
Planning on getting a ride in tomorrow, Wednesday if the weather and myself picks up. More soon -

Fresh Goods Sunday - Continental Race 28 (700c) Supersonic S42 Inner tubes

I have bought three Conti Supersonic inner tubes for my Dale Supersix Evo. These are one of the lightest road tubes on the market without spending mega bucks. I have used Conti Supersonic tubes on xc mtb and kids 650c road bikes before with mixed success so thought I would give them a go. There was two reasons to buy them and that was to get my road bike weight down to less than 13lbs and they were considerably cheaper than the £12.99rrp. I had an order of various consumable parts a while a go from Bike Discount and these made it up to free p&p, I paid less than £6.90 each for them. There is no way on earth I would ever pay £13 for a road tube, they are just not worth that. Here is a link to them. Yes they are very thin as you would expect and are bang on the claimed weight (see  photo below). They also come in a 60mm valve length for deep section rims. I cannot comment on there performance yet as they have not done enough miles yet.
Here is the manufacturers blurb -
Super lightweight butyl tube, even lighter than latex but not porous, so no need to reflate every day. Can also be fixed with a normal puncture kit.

Use: All purpose inner tube and excellent replacement inner tube for your road bike

Material: Butyl tubes with renowned Continental quality

Durability: Each and every inner tube passes a stringent 100% quality control inspection

Design: Seamless construction, with a mould-cured vulcanisation, to ensure uniform roundness and give a smooth ride and handling

no washer or valve cap

Not made in Germany!!

Day 2 - Trip out to Kielder on the Salsa Beargrease

Day 2 - after having an early night I woke up cold and the air bed had gone flat. I put on some more layers of clothes to try and warm up but could not be bothered to blow the airbed back up. One thing for sure its pitch black at Kielder and looking up into the sky at 4am the stars were shinning away and it was -3degrees. Another hour or so kip then it was time for breakfast. The gas in my stove was frozen so breakfast took ages to cook but got there in the end.
Part 1- Todays plan of action was Lakeside Way then Deadwater Fell. Restocked energy bar, packed camera, turned on Garmin and I was off. I took the North side on the outward leg and you have a steep climb straight from the off around the sewage works then its a constant up, down and bends all the way to the dam. They have finally got the mile markers up so you know how much further you have got to go. The sun was blazing away and views over the calm waters were fantastic. After 4 miles my front disc pad gave up so had no front brake. I stopped at the chairs and decided to have a drink, noticed I forgot to refill my bottle form yesterday! not a good start but I was not going to turn back now. I seen two red foxes, two rabbits, one deer and loads of little birds but no squirrels. Once I reached the dam it was time for some photos and a little sip of juice. Over the dam which is the flattest and straightest section on the whole route. Onto the South shore to Tower Knowe then Leaplish. The south side doesn't have as many good views as it mainly wooded, away from the waters edge. The sun was still blazing away and my water had long gone by now. Nothing was open at Leaplish but I was on the last section back to the village. Another thing about the south side is there are a few gates to open/close but gives the legs a little rest. Back to village for a well earned drink and renew my front disc pads. Time for early dinner then off again. The sun was still blazing away and no wind. The weather is just unreal for Kielder. I made sure I refilled my water bottle this time
Part 2- gentle ride around the village, past the maze, quick look around the Castle, past the bike shop and up the steep hill to the skills loop. At the top the skills loop my legs were well tired, do I turn left and do Deadwater or turn right and have some play on the Northshore/skills loops. Well I turned right and entered the Northshore section, I only lasted 30 seconds before losing traction. You could not even stand up on the wood it was that slippery. No grip plates, chicken mesh, now't. So onto the skills loops which needs some sorting out tbh. Downhill and back into the village and had a look up to the Salomon Farm but it was closed so headed back to base for something else to eat in the sunshine. Packed away the gear for a lovely cruise home on the twisty roads.
Todays totals - 28miles, 2.45hrs ride time and 2000+ft climbing
Trip totals - 69miles, 7.30hrs ride time, 7000+ft climbing
I will be back again to concur Deadwater, probably not in such good weather conditions! below are the photos from Day 2, enjoy and more soon