Trails were a bit damp today.......

geordiefreerider

Well maybe a bit more than damp, I had to turn around here or I would of been wading up to my waist [/img]

snotty badger

Jeebus thats deep! :shock:

geordiefreerider

I know, worst thing was it's at the bottom of a mile long run down through my local woods which was like a stream anyway and to go back up just wasnt on the cards - good laugh though !!

Northwind

Hope your hubs and BB have good seals :shock:

geordiefreerider

A complete strip down and regrease is in order !!!

Willrideforcake

Ooh, that's moist!

Anonymous

Willrideforcake wrote:

Ooh, that's moist!

said the vicar to the tea lady

deffler

We've had shit loads of rain past few daysup here havent we GeordieRider. Not been able to get out as trashed rear wheel last week, replacement set on order

XxxBFGxxX

were do you guys ride up in tyne and wear. thats were i was born in north shields

diamondbacker

I ride in Beamish Woods usually just off the coast to coast route. It was terrible last week - I dread to think what it will be like after the last few days aswell.

Mr Rowlie

And i thought it was wet up Afan.... Now thats something!

GHill

It's too dry here, front wheel keeps trying to wash out on the loose dirt. Went trail building this morning and it was 34C in the shade.

Better than your bog snorkelling though

BurtonM

geordie freerider & deffler where abouts are yous from and which trails do you normally ride. im from gateshead (low fell area) and normally ride hamsterley beamish chopwell but they have never been as bad as that

geordiefreerider

Im from hexham but live in durham so normally ride hamsterley or my local routes, getting a car again so will be dalby/kielder/lakes etc this summer, never been to chopwell just saw it the other day might have a look up is it any good ?

BurtonM

its alright if your local and you need to get out for an hour. theres a powerline track which is reasonable, nothing special though. Im 17 and been riding for 3 months and its not a challenge so no doubt youd find it a breeze mate, dont waste your time. Hamsterely black p*sses all over chopwelll for techincal sections

Whytepeak

geordiefreerider

Are the roads around durham closed?

I need to get up there, but if they are emptying the cathedral vaults, it must be really bad :roll:
Those pics you've taken don't inspire confidence :shock:

geordiefreerider

well that was yesterday mate they did close the A167 off but its open now you wont have any problems

deeptheory

diamondbacker wrote:

I ride in Beamish Woods usually just off the coast to coast route. It was terrible last week - I dread to think what it will be like after the last few days aswell.

DB,

whats the best way to access the woods from the c2c? i only live at fatfield so i often head up the c2c anyway. is it worth a detou into the woods?

diamondbacker

You can get in to them from pretty much anywhere between Pelton and just past Beamish if you go off to the right assuming you are going towards Consett. I've only been a few times so I don't know all the routes. I've gone through some bits that are impassable (obviously bit of a wrong turn) and other bits that are relatively easy.

The best place I found is a gate (on the right) opposite a little stream (on the left) v. close to Beamish. It follows a small little dirt path, then turn right and enter the woods (to the left) at the next gate. You will probably be able to see a Mountain bike trail from there.

It's definitely worth a detour imo.

deeptheory

diamondbacker wrote:

You can get in to them from pretty much anywhere between Pelton and just past Beamish if you go off to the right assuming you are going towards Consett. I've only been a few times so I don't know all the routes. I've gone through some bits that are impassable (obviously bit of a wrong turn) and other bits that are relatively easy.

The best place I found is a gate (on the right) opposite a little stream (on the left) v. close to Beamish. It follows a small little dirt path, then turn right and enter the woods (to the left) at the next gate. You will probably be able to see a Mountain bike trail from there.

It's definitely worth a detour imo.

no worries ill keep an eye out. i know roughly where you mean. what do you ride? or is that a stupid question from looking at your username?

diamondbacker

Diamondback S20. Got it as a cheap second hand one to see if I enjoyed mtbing. it's not the best bike but it's competent enough for my needs.

Mind you I've just bought a Carrera TDF road bike to add some variety to my cycling. :oops: I wasn't influenced by Le Tour. Honest.

deeptheory

diamondbacker wrote:

Diamondback S20. Got it as a cheap second hand one to see if I enjoyed mtbing. it's not the best bike but it's competent enough for my needs.

Mind you I've just bought a Carrera TDF road bike to add some variety to my cycling. :oops: I wasn't influenced by Le Tour. Honest.

Great, ill keep an eye out.

I couldnt get a road bike. I've had enough close calls on my mtb when i've been on the road never mind doing it permanently. Closest of which was getting the back wheel clipped by some idiot coming out of Boldon golf club last weekend. :evil:

stu8975

Diamanodbacker/deeptheory, if your ever in cycleworld in sunderland ask about the thursday evening rides they do, normally about 5.30-6pm start, i havent been out with them for a while due to work but i think they still go out (weather and people permitting), ask for Ian (boss man).

deeptheory

stu8975 wrote:

Diamanodbacker/deeptheory, if your ever in cycleworld in sunderland ask about the thursday evening rides they do, normally about 5.30-6pm start, i havent been out with them for a while due to work but i think they still go out (weather and people permitting), ask for Ian (boss man).

Play football on a thursday but thanks for the shout anyway. It's years since i was in cycleworld, i always go M Steel's in Gosforth.

stu8975

its changed a bit (Main Giant dealer now, also trek, commencal, gary fisher, genesis), depending how many years since you were there its opposite where Chambers nightclub used to be (previously further down the road). they aslo do road rides on tuesdays if your into that sort of riding (but they dont hang about...lol).

deffler

Stu8975/DiamondBacker/DeepTheory/BurtonM what local bike shops do you guys use in the area? Which do you find best for gear & repairs?

Stu8975/ Tell me a bit more about the Cycleworld rides, where do they normally go?

I ride through Fatfield everyday on my commute joining the C2C into Sunderland. Im going to start going having a ride in the opposite direction towards beamish/consett on a weekend, will check out Beamish woods, thanks for the heads up

BurtonM

i use evans cycles at the metro centre, and edinburgh bicycles over towards byker. both are excellent stores and i have had nothing but positive experiences. I have heard that evans services are a bit dodgy but ive never had a bike from there i only buy accesories. All my bikes are from edinburgh cycles and they are top quality. What about you ?

stu8975

As far as the Cycleworld rides go, i havent been out for a good while (6 months off the bike with shoulder injury last year Jun-Jan and most of this year havent had the time due to work, they can go anywhere between 15 miles to 35 miles) rides start at the shop and can go in all directions. As far as repairs go, i do my own and temporary steal cycleworlds 'specialist' tools if needed, shop wise Cycleworld mostly, very occasionlly Edinburgh bikes in Byker and Internet shops for anything Cylceworld cant get for me. You may see me riding the c2c route to beamish,consett, parkead station (waskerly way). If you want a more leisurely ride (maybe with the wife/gf or kids) there is also the Wearside family cycle group, rides every 2 weeks (part of Sustrans) from 15 - 50 miles, these are more easy pace and stick to the posted cycleroutes in tyne and wear (good bunch of peoples aswell).

http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk/page/25/CWF_Shop_club

http://www.cycle-routes.org/wearsiderangers/

diamondbacker

I use Cestria Cycles in Chester-le-Street because it's near to me. It's small but I've found them very helpful.

In the next few weeks I'm hoping to free up some more time to get out, especially in groups as I normally go solo, but a baby and toddler have but a bit of a strain on my free time to put it mildly.

Cheers for the links and advice!

deffler

I bought my bike from Evans @ the Metro but not used any services yet, got me bike booked in for its free check up in a couple of weeks, so will see how it goes.

That shop in Chester is my nearest but never been in. I do tend to buy most of my stuff off t'internet due to the lower prices. Judging by Evan service prices I wont be using them after my free check up thats why I want to find a good LBS I can trust and not be ripped off. I am hopin to learn to do a lot of stuff myself but a once a year all round service at a LBS will keep me in good sted.

You may see me on the C2C routes, on a bright lime green genesis, giv me a holla if you do.I ride on my own as got no friends into mtb.

deeptheory

Like i said deffler i only use m steels in gosforth now and cant fault it. Never had a bike in for service etc but the workshop always seems busy. Google them and check their website out. Think you can see details about the new shop but the range of gear on the website doesnt do the shop justice. Nice set of lads as well.

I'm hardly ever in Sunderland apart from the match so never go into cycleworld however i've never been overly impressed in the past.

Evans and Edi Co-op good selection but not overly impressed with the staff to be honest and i do like the whole 'support your lbs' thing.