Early Sunday morning spin down to Durham, Maiden Castle & Houghall Woods - Trek Marlin+

 

Today I was up and out early doors as I had a few jobs to get caught up with when I got back in. It was mainly overcast and cloudy and hovering around 14 to 15 degrees with little wind so was a pleasant ride. It was one of my regular loops down to Durham, around and over to Maiden Castle then through Houghall woods today. The woods have dried up lovely but still a few softish muddy parts. It was lovely and quiet with hardly a sole kicking around. From there it was back around Maiden Castle then up and down The Trod. Back around Durham and home via Frankland and The Sands. I did not do The Carrs loop but still managed to get 16.5 miles in with just under 800ft of climbing in 1hr 21mins. I took the Trek Marlin+ e hardtail mtb. The bike is going well but has developed a dry creak in the saddle / seaptpost clamp area, nothing a good squirt of GT85 will hopefully sort out. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Decided not to wear my gloves, bad idea! Palms are red raw. 

Beamish to Ebchester n back via Consett - C2C

 

Another sunny day so time for another ride. I was over Beamish way so parked up and dropped straight onto the old railway line, C2C heading towards Consett. Again another strong headwind all the way up. Once at the crossroads junction I decided to turn right and head over to the Derwent Walk. I flew down to Ebchester where I decided to turn n burn as they say. There was not many others out so the going was ok. I took the Creo 1 gravel as it was fully charged after the previous ride and still dirty. There are still some sections of dampness and mud in between the dry and dusty sections. Even though there was strong wind the temperature was up again and feeling rather warm for a change. Finally into my summer kit and enjoying the good weather. It did not feel like I was flying so much as my previous ride but my average speed was about right for this route. On the way back down to Beamish from Consett there more people out n about so was very stop start with dogs running about all over the place. I did a little extra ta the end to get a few more miles in. All in 32.5 miles in 2hrs 23mins with 1300ft of climbing. Below are a few photos from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

York cycle Festival 21st - 23 June inc Retro Bike Show

 

A more sunnier and warmer local rid up to Waskerley Reservoir

 

We have finally had a break in the rain, strong winds and have some patchy sun and heat. I have not been out on the bike for a week for one reason or another but I could not miss a ride out in some half decent weather for a change. The old railway line is still damp and muddy in the wooded sections so not totally dry and dusty but way better than it was. It was quiet on the way out but very busy on the way back down. I was flying going up as I had a tailwind, this meant a headwind nearly all the way back down. I took the Creo 1 as it had my 700c wheelset on so less drag and easier going on my legs. All in 34.5 miles in 2hr 32mins with 1500ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-