Fresh Goods Sunday - 3T Arx II Team Stealth Stem

I had bought this STEM to replace my old FSA one on my Nano Black as the Stealth matt black look would have matched the frame. I ordered the 110mm length as the 120mm FSA is a touch too long on the reach. I checked the weight on the manufacturers website and was about the same as the FSA. Once it landed I popped it onto the scales and was heavier than listed and heavier than the old FSA but did look good.
In the end I decided to put it onto the Bowman Pilgrims as the stem on there was 100mm and a little too short and heavy.
The rrp is £84 but Westys have them for £45 as they are oe, this is why there might be such a difference in weight and stickers, which I think look better on the oe version.
Now I am on the look out for another stem for the Nano, might get a Kcnc which I have fitted to the Beargrease but they have silver faceplates so means buying a black one to replace it but they are light and strong.

Here is the manufacturers blurb on the 3T stem "Arx II is an evolution of the well-liked Arx alloy stem, which has found a place on every sort of bicycle since its launch in 2007. Its a subtle refresh of this classic design. The faceplate is drawn in tighter at top and bottom, for a more ovalized frontal appearance, while retaining the cut out 3T logo. The sides of the extension are slightly flattened for a more sculpted look by comparison with the tubular section of the first-generation Arx. A single M7 bolt clamps the stem to the fork steerer, in place of the twin M5 bolts used previously. Bolts are now the more-secure Torx-type fitment in place of the Allen bolts used previously. Arx II Stealth features our elegant Matte Black finish."
Weight: 125g (110 cm) er NO 141g
Length: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 mm
Steerer: 1-1/8 ∅
Material: AL 7075 T6
Angle: ±6°
Bolts: Torx T25
Finish: Shot Peened/Black Anodized
Stack: 40 mm
Certification: CEN

Early Saturday morning gravel/road ride & 3 Peaks CX & Quad bike racing

After yesterdays off road ride I decided to take out the Bowman Pilgrim today for some gravel / tarmac riding. I had to be back before 9.30am so had a early start. It was still dark when I hit the roads at 6.30am but once I joined the old railway line to Consett at Bearpark farm I turned my light off as daylight was just coming through. No sunrise today, too cloudy / overcast and cold. I was a little nippy at times on the ride yesterday so dug out my 3/4 bib tights, thicker ss base layer and gillet for todays ride. It was around 6 degrees but it felt a lot warmer so was more comfortable riding. The line was mainly dry up to Delves Lane where I turned right and headed over to Iveston via some steep hills, down Iveston bank which I don't think I have ever done before then passed through some hunting event with loads of horses / dogs and spectators all over the road. It was then country lanes all the way up to the back of Annfield Plain, Maiden Law, straight onto Burnhope where I turned left and down to Holmside, turned right up to Edmondsley, right again and down to Daisy Hill left down to Nettlesworth to pick up the cycle lane alongside the A167 and back home. Just under 28 miles, nearly 2000ft climbing, 2 hours ride time.

 

Sunday sees the 3 Peaks CX down in Yorkshire, good luck to all the NE riders taking on the challenge. Its very tough going! I found one of my certificates below - snapped my chain that year near the bottom of the last descent before hitting the road, had to re split it and try and join it back together, I was also over the bars a couple of times as well in the peat bogs! Follow the race live via the NET

 

Also this Sunday is Round 8 of the NETT Quad Bike Championships @ Wooley Grange, more info here

 





Hamsterley Forest - Egglestone Moor - Hill Top Moor - Hamsterley ride on the Krampgrease

Yet another week of boom boom all day and no time for miles so come Thursday and the sun shinning it was time to book a days holiday in for today and go for a ride. I haven't been to Hamsterley Forest for a while so decided to have a trip over there and take the Krampgrease as I haven't ridden it for a while. Instead of riding around the forest I decided to ride to the far end of the forest and cross Egglestone Moor via the bridleway. The first section is very boggy and wet / narrow but it dry's up after gaining some height before dropping onto a newly surfaced track which leads on to the Egglestone road. Its only a short section on the very quiet road before turning left and up the long straight up hill to the track around the woods and on to Hill Top moor. The track is very vague for the first mile or so then the marker posts appear every now and then. There had been a motorcross bike on the Bridleway so I followed their tracks. Again once over the top it dries up little and some wider sections instead of a 4" gap between the heather. The bridleway ends up on the stoned farm track and drops you back out on to the road for a sharp climb, turn left then left again to drop back into Hamsterley forest. I did some of the red on the way back to the van. Great ride which I have not done for many years with very mixed weather but there was no rain, just over 20 miles - 2500+ft climbing - 2hrs22min riding time.