Longer local Gravel ride on the Specialized Creo 2 on Co Durham's old railway lines

 

I had planned on going out another ride yesterday, Bank holiday Monday but I woke up rough and tired. Instead I pottered around most of the day doing jobs. 

Today it was forecasted for a sunrise so I was up and out after 6.30am with the Garmin reading less than four degrees. I joined on to the old railway line at Langley Park and headed straight up to Consett then Whitehall picnic area. I turned at this point and discovered I had a head wind all the way up as I was freewheeling most of the way back down. The lines were damp on the top after yesterdays rain but no big puddles. Once I was back at Langley Park I decided to head straight on to Broompark picnic area then straight on again. By the time I reached Waterhouses / Ivesley Cottages I turned and headed back. There was a few others out enjoying the early morning sun. I was over dressed for the last return leg, with the Garmin now reading nearly elven degrees. Below are a few snaps from the ride, all in 42 miles in 3hrs 9mins with 1400ft of climbing, enjoy and hopefully more soon- 

Fresh Goods Sunday - Cannondale XC Silicone + Grips

 

For some reason I find most xc flat bar grips uncomfortable on my mtb's. I newer ones just seem to thin and rough for my hands. I prefer a larger grip with less knobbles and bobbles on them. I have swapped the grips on my Trek Marlin+ hardtail mtb three times now and hopefully these will be the last pair I have to fit. These are a silicone grip made by Cannondale which I picked up in a sale from Sigma Sports a few years ago and got put into my spare parts tube. The second pair was some Cannondale lock on grips so they were easy to remove. I then sprayed the bars and inside the grips with a old can of hair spray I have in the garage and pushed them into place. They were not too a tight a fit compared to other foam grips I have fitted in the past. They look a funny shape when on the bars as the inside part is round then transfers into a larger diameter hexagon shape near the end. They also come with bar end plugs. First couple of rides hey seam more comfortable but time will tell. Cannondale also make the same grip in a narrower diameter. 

RRP £20 and I paid £9.62 inc 48hr p&p from Sigma Sports 

Manufacturers blurb - 

Get a grip.

Silicone construction and a round-to-hexagonal tapered profile produce a lightweight and natural-feeling contact point for comfort and control.

Where it thrives

In competition, challenging trails

What it's built for

Control, comfort

Highlights

• Unique 36mm outer hex shape for control
• Rounded 33mm inner profile improves grip
• Silicone construction for comfort

Please note I had fitted the grips the wrong way in the above photos but have swapped them around now to the correct direction! 

Easter Sunday Local Transmitters road ride - Pontop Pike & Burnhope.

 

Well after days of decorating and tidying up afterwards we had a day down to Darlo yesterday for a look around. Evans Cycles has opened up a new shop in the House of Fraser which is a good thing for the town. It was lovely and sunny down there but overcast and cloudy back in Durham. 

Today I was up early and decided to go out on my Creo 1 road bike. I have not been out on the local roads for ages now. I thought the roads should be a little quieter with it being Easter Sunday and most of them were. I did my local transmitter route taking in masts at Pontop Pike, Burnhope and Broom House. It was overcast, cloudy and freezing cold on the tops. The wind was not too bad but the Garmin was hovering around 4 to 6 degrees, I am still in full winter kit! Below are a few snaps from the loop, all in just under 37miles in 2hr 34mins with 2600ft of climbing, enjoy and hopefully more soon.