toons":3lqyuuzs said:
Sure thing, might have a few extra folk along too next week.
Had a good ride last night, very windy but used it to our advantage. Was warm too- 13 degrees!
Route was 19 miles. Along the River Wansbeck all the way to the coast and then followed the coastal path all the way to Alcan at Lynemouth with the waves crashing below and a strong tailwind. Then around the QE2 park and lake and along disused waggonways, through the old colliery yards (now all planted with mixed trees and impossible to see any remaining industry- very pleasant riding!) then along the back of Ashington through some sweet wooded singletrack. Last bit was along Sustrans National One, a few farm tracks and then dipped down Bothal Bank past the castle, finally returning along the river. We were really lucky as the wind pushed us up North along the coast but on the return we were sheltered in the trees and didn't feel its affect. 100% off road too which was cool.
Had a problem with the new Mavic cranks on the Mountain Goat though. I've used a Shimano middle ring which puts the teeth to close toward the outer ring. Chain grinding and jumping all over on the first section. Solution was to slap it onto the big ring and I did the whole route on the 48T cog. Funny thing is, after riding SS for the last few months I have got out of the habit of changing gear and did the whole 19 miles without changing ratio once
Really good night all in all but ready for the techy routes of Thrunton again now after a short break
