Specialized Harrogate Offroad ride Sun 28th July

 

A more steady spin around my regular Croxdale, Brandon, Bishop, Spennymoor loop

 

Another day and back out on the bike again. This time the same route as i did two rides ago. I was going to do the loop in the opposite direction to mix it up but ended up going around it in the same direction. This time I took my Creo 1 gravel instead of my Creo 2 gravel bike. I took it steadier today and took a few more photos. Again the lines were mainly dry with the weather being overcast and cloudy with the odd sunny minute spell. The wind has increased putting a sting in my legs on the climbs. Again hardly anybody else out n about, all the better for me! This time I was 4.5 minutes slower but more enjoyable! Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Down n back the old C2C line from Beamish - Creo 1 Gravel bike

 

Todays ride was a very early morning ride with no real sunrise as such. It was nippy with the Garmin hovering around 12 degrees but it did warm up slightly when the sun did pop through. It was an out n back route from Beamish down the old railway line C2C to Hylton n back. They are digging the track up around the Lambton Worm area and making a right old mess of it. I have never seen levels like it and putting in timber edging, totally unnecessary and dangerous. There was very few others out, a few dog walkers on the last section coming back in and few people riding to or from their workplace. Nothing has changed up and down this section and still muddy in places in the woods at Cox Green. I took my Creo 1 gravel today for a change as I have fitted my new USE carbon seatpost and fitted a new front tyre, more on this soon. All in 21 miles in 1hr 30mins with 800ft of climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goodies - Specialized Fast Trak S Works tyres, Stans No Tubes Sealant Injector V2 & USE Ultimate Duro Carbon Seatpost.

 

First up is a pair of new Specialized Fast Trak S Works tyres 29" x 2.2" for my Creo 2 gravel bike. I was not really after a pair but my Regenade S Works tyre on the back is starting to show signs of wear down the middle. I had to get a pair as it was buy one get one free! RRP £90 and I paid £45 from Infinity Cycles 

Next up is the updated version 2 Stans No Tubes Sealant injector. I have been using the original version for many years and the new version is a massive improvement in several ways. RRP £14.00 and I paid £11.99 inc next day delivery from Tweeks Cycles 

Last but not least another USE Ultimate Engineering seatpost - Duro Carbon 400mm x 27.2mm with 10mm layback version. The same one I have fitted on my Creo 2 gravel bike. This is to replace my Sumo Ti 350mm model on my Creo 1 gravel bike. RRP £79.99 and I paid £64.00 inc next day delivery from Tweeks Cycles 

More on all of these Fresh Goodies in up coming Fresh Goods Sunday Blogs.

Back out on one of my regular mainly off road gravel loops - Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor etc

 

Well I dragged my lazy arse back out on the bike again. Today was one of my regular loops that I have not been able to do as Durham County Council have been resurfacing the old railway along the Bishop to Spennymoor section but its all finished now apart from scraping the verges back on the very last section going into Spenny. It was mainly overcast and cloudy with the odd sunny spell for a few minutes. I also had a strong headwind all the way out but flying coming back into Bishop. The old railway lines are mainly bone dry considering the couple of very heavy showers over the last 48 hours. There was not many others out and about either so had my head down and pushed on. I only stopped once for some photos at Croxdale so not many below. All in just over 19 miles in 1hr 16 mins with 700ft of climbing. Enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Well we have finally got some sun and heat in Co Durham - local gravel ride

 

After last weekends complete wash out and some heavy rain at the start of the week we have had a couple of days where the sun has finally come out and said hello. I have had a very busy week with one  thing or another but today I finally managed to get out on my bike for a short spin. I parked up at Annfield Plain and dropped straight onto the C2C old railway line and headed up towards Parkhead. After battling into a strong headwind for 10 miles I turned and headed back down. The temperature was over 28 degrees on my Garmin by the end but did not feel too hot due to the very strong wind. I took my Spec Creo 2 gravel and had no problems with it. The bike is going well after all the initial tweaks and adjustments. There was a few others out but not that many. Below are a few snaps and a short video clip from the ride. Enjoy and hopefully more soon-