Chill out ride on the Salsa Carbon Grease's

We both had tired legs today so decided on a easier ride along the old line to Bishop n back. Angus rode over and met me at Meadowfield where we continued along the line to Bishop Auckland. It was cloudy when we left but the sun burnt through within a mile of leaving then it was cloudy again near Bishop. The temperature was 21-22 degrees again but very muggy. At the bench we had a quick drink then turned and burned back along the line. The sun came back out and we had a tailwind with the dust flying up off the tyres. Angus rode home again from Meadowfield so he's getting the miles in, also at work tonight so that might wear him out!

Sunny

Cloudy

and sunny again

new topping just outside Willington, very loose

Local road ride around the hills of Tow Law way

Angus is not working today so he had a ride through to meet up with me for a local road ride around the country lanes / quiet back roads. We didn't take many photos as we were either climbing hills, head down on the flat section with a tail wind or trying to get away for the dark clouds. At one point the temperature hit 24 degrees on one climb but on the way back in dropped to 17 degrees and went very dark. So dark the cars had there headlights on. We managed to escape the heavy showers and had a cracking ride. Legs felt it on the road through Deerness Valley but kept chugging away. Angus had nearly 3500ft of climbing recorded on his garmin, that is why my legs were feeling it. Wish I had took the Nano but I was expecting wet roads, dry as bone.
Westys box landed with the Surly Dirt Wizard's 29x3.0" and Panaracer Gravelking's 700c x 28c. More on them soon, well when I get a few spare mins to open them up and sniff the rubber!

Ride over to the coast on the C2C line

Angus rode over and met up with me to join onto the C2C route then down to Rocker. Yet again it was cold, overcast and windy. The lines were damp with some puddles but still fast going. I took my Pilgrims as I swapped over the Conti 4 Seasons 25c tyres to Schwalbe Marathon Racer 30c tyes but discovered I had put too much psi in them as they were bouncing on the rough stuff but flying on the smoother tarmac sections. Angus was on his Scott Carbon Team cx bike with Schwalbe Marathon Extreme 35c tyres and had no probs apart from the front mech needs a fine tweak. Again the lines were quiet and only seen a few walkers and other cyclists out. There was plenty fishing off the harbour wall at the quayside and they looked really cold. Below a few snaps, not many as we did not have that much spare time as Angus had to be back to go to work.
Westys have been on the email, the Panaracer Gravelkings Kings have turned up early and posted them and my Surly Dirt Wizards out today.

Fresh Goods Sunday - Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Short Finger Glove

I don't tend to wear out short fingered gloves for some reason and they last forever. I normally have two good pairs so when one is in the wash I have another pair to wear. The last ones I binned were from Trek and must have lasted nearly 15 years!! unreal. Then I bought a pair of Gore Bike Wear ones in the sale a few years ago for half price and have been spot on. The sizing on Gore gloves are tiny and I would recommend trying them on before buying. Even gloves of the same size but a different model feel different. This time around I got the Oxygen model rrp £38 but shop around and you can get them for about £30 or even less if shops are selling them off. There are three different colour options black/black, black/red & black/white and a huge range of sizes from Small to XXXL.
They are comfortable on the hand and there is plenty grip on bar tape and mtb grips. Tight fitting but not to tight or baggy. The finger pulls on the back of the middle two fingers are great for pulling them back off when you have hot hands. I have worn these for a few weeks and not had any problems but I have not tested them out in very warm weather yet.
One negative comment would be the amount and size of labels in the left hand glove. One label is so big it covers the mesh on the back of the glove, you can see it through the material when you are wearing them. Time to get them chopped out and binned.
Here is the manufactures blurb -

Top Features of the Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Short Finger Glove

Absorbent material on thumb for wiping away perspiration

Silicone-coated palm for better grip

Gel padding on base of palm

Foam padding on palm

Hook and loop cuff

Seamless back of hand for friction-free comfort

Mesh ventilation on back of hand

Ventilation holes at the inner side of the fingers and the hand

Reflective tape on back of hand

Reflective pull-off tab

Reflect logo

Backhand:

• 83% Polyamide(Nylon)
• 17% Elastane(Spandex)

Backhand mesh:

• 86% Polyamide(Nylon)
• 14% Elastane(Spandex)

Palm:

• 60% Polyamide(Nylon)
• 40% Elastane(Spandex)

Sweat Wipe:

• 80% Cotton
• 20% Polyesterive logo

Fathers Day ride with the two boyo's / Maxxis Chronicles for sale

Angus has the day from Halfords today so both my boyos came out of a steady Fathers Day ride. Weather was a real mixed bag, heavy shower just before we left then cleared away, then a few showers on the way up to Consett with sunshine in between. There was one thing for sure we had a headwind all the way and a lovely tail wind all the way back down. We stopped off at Knitsley Farm Shop / Café for some refreshments and the place was packed. I was on the Beargrease 26+", Angus on his Krampgrease 29+" and Arran on his Scott carbon scale hardtail. The lines were damp in places with the overnight rain but drier on the way back down with the wind and sun on them. Not many people out n about really but passed a few cyclists on a Consett Rotary Club charity ride.
Once back home we had a washing / fettling session on the bikes and other bikes that have been used through the week.
Also cleaned my Maxxis 29 x 3" Chronicles tyres as they are now up For Sale £80 the pair.
Below are some photos from the ride, enjoy and more soon -