Back out on my Creo 1 - Hope RX2 Calliper failure on Creo 2

 

No Creo 2 back from getting the Hope RX2 callipers fitted, turned into a total expensive nightmare tbh but we are working on it with the help from Hope, Infinity Cycles and Zyro Fisher. Looking like it might be a few weeks to hopefully get sorted now. 

Anyway that is good excuse to keep getting out on my original creo gravel bike. It is still cold and frosty here in County Durham with the sun melting some sections of frost and ice away but still well dodgy in places. This ride was a straight out n back from Annfield Plain up the Waskerley Way / C2C straight into a headwind to Nana B's gate n back down. It was just over 20 miles in 1hr 37mins with 850ft of climbing. Again the bike performed without fault again, more than I can say for the shit Sram Apex fitted on my 2. 

Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon inc some new Fresh Goodies which landed before Christmas and after the New Year-  

Back out again on my Specialized Creo 1 gravel bike after all the snow & ice

 

What a softy I have become. I have kept looking out of the window for the past week and a half and thought bugger that for a game of soldiers. With all the ice, snow and sub zero temperatures it has kept me off my bike since new years eve. Also being back to work since the 2nd of Jan has not helped either.  

Anyway you may have noticed that  in the photo above I have dragged my first original Specialized Creo 1 gravel bike out of hibernation. It has been a long time since I have slung my leg over this bike but I gave it a quick wash, swapped the wheels over to my 650b / 27.5", pumped up the tyres, topped up the battery and she was ready to rock n roll again. 

Within minutes of riding the bike I forgot just how much I enjoy this bike, it is the most comfortable bike I have, the only downside is the noisy motor compared to my Creo 2. The cable GRX geras work a dream and I can stop it in no distance. I am going to ride this more more this year on the 650b and 700c wheelsets. 

There is also a reason why I spent some time getting it back into use as my Creo 2 is having some new Hope Technology RX2 brake callipers fitted. I am totally sick to death of shit Sram Apex AXS brakes. Hopefully the piss poor performance will be solved with the new callipers. More on than after I have a few rides with them and get them bedded in. 

Anyway back to this ride it was one of my local mainly gravel loops taking in two of Co Durham's old railway lines. The  lines were mainly frozen with some soft sections caused by some rare sun. There was loads of other users out so was very slow down and speed up ride. All in just over 19 miles in 1hr 26mins with 800ft of climbing. Enjoy the few photos and hopefully more soon - 

Fresh Goods Sunday - GOBIK Deep Winter Merino Socks (Male S-M)

 

I was after another pair of winter socks as my Assos winter socks have not lasted very long. They seem to have gone thinner and very bobbly. They are not the warmest on my feet now compared to other brands winter socks I have worn over the years. 

Dave Robinson opened up another bike shop in Durham so we had a bob in on opening day and I found these socks from Gobik. I have never heard of the brand and not seen them in the UK. I thought I would give them a go and see how they perform. Looking ta the Gobik website they do two different versions of winter socks and these are called the deep winter version. They are very thick compared to my other older winter socks and taller. I still have plenty of toe wiggle room in both of my Northwave Artic boots mtb & road but its defo more snugger. I have only worn them a couple of times so far but thought I would post this before we get too far into our now freezing cold conditions. On both occasions my feet were never cold or my ankles. I have not washed them yet so cannot comment on that. They are on the pricey side but if they keep my toes / feet warm I am not bothered. They come in one colour and two sizes, small to medium <9 and large to extra large >9. I am around a 8 to 9 and the fit is perfect with the heel in the right place and they do not feel too tight around my toes or too loose. Hopefully they will last longer than my Assos ones! I cannot comment on the Winter Merino model as HYPT does not stock them, looking tat he spec they have a different make up of fabric and look to be a lot thinner - recommended temperature 0 to 12 degrees 

RRP £24.00 and I paid £21.60 from HYPT Performance Cycles Durham. 

Manufacturers blurb - 

Description:

Socks combining synthetic Resistex® bioceramic yarns that provide heat retention, moisture and odor control, along with natural merino wool fibers that offer superior insulation properties.

• Terry structure in the most exposed areas for added thermal insulation.
• Plantar area and toe cap in Resistex® bioceramic yarn.
• Breathable instep to facilitate the evacuation of residual moisture.
• High 18 cm upper with greater thermal coverage.

Very low temperatures. Developed to keep feet warm and dry in the coldest days of the winter season.

• Composition: 50% merino wool, 25% polypropylene, 15% polyamide, 5% polyester, 5% elastane.
• They combine synthetic yarns such as bioceramic Resistex® which provides heat retention, moisture and odor control, together with natural fibers such as merino wool yarn which offers superior insulation properties.
• The terry construction helps retain heat in the most exposed areas and provides softness to the touch.
• The instep has a terry structure with small openings that favor the evacuation of body sweat.
• The plantar arch acts as support and keeps the sock correctly positioned.
• The 18cm height provides greater thermal coverage in the lower leg area.

• Do not dry clean.
• Wash with cold water, using neutral detergent and no fabric softener.
• Wash inside out, otherwise peeling may appear on certain fabrics.
• Use the laundry bag whenever possible and the minimum load of laundry in the washing machine.
• Use the delicate program or spin at the lowest possible speed.
• Dry the garment inside out and in the shade.
• Do not leave the garment to soak or twist it to wring it out.
• Do not iron.

• Weight: 72 g (M)

• UPF: 50

• Use temperature: -4- 10 ºC

• Height: 18 cm

New Years Eve Spin down to Sunderland n back on the C2C

 

Well that's is another over with on the bike. I did have a route planned in my head last night but when I woke up and seen just how much ice there was I knocked that one on the head and picked up the old railway line at South Pelaw and dropped down to Sunderland. Most of this stretch is on tarmac with a couple of gravel sections. I took it very steady going down especially on the corners. The Garmin was hovering around minus -1.9 and zero degrees. The sun was out and had a tailwind on my back. They have still not reopened the section under the new bridge for some reason. I turned here and headed back up the line, there was a few others out n about not not too busy. The frost and ice did not lift the whole ride. On top of that I had a freezing cold headwind all the way back up. All in 25.5 miles in 2hrs 5mins with 1200ft pf climbing. Below are a few snaps from the ride, enjoy and hopefully more soon-