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Good for you. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. All the best

I think I can help there Maurice. I'm working on the next one at the minute. I love listening to folks reminisce on areas they remember. Consett - in part 2 - is a big one for me. Thanks for watching and all the best.

You're welcome. They're always a pleasure to make. I love the cycling but it's often simply my preferred form of transport to go and see stuff that interests me. I'll still work hard on the way - when it feels right. It's great to know that there are others who like the same incidental non-cycling stuff. Thanks for watching. All the best.

I completely agree with you Natalie BUT... I was trying to be faithful to the boundaries of the old county palatine of Durham. Admittedly, I caved at Newburn but the features on the opposite side of the river couldn't be ignored for such a short equivalent distance. If I was advising someone to ride along the Tyne I'd definitely recommend the route you've suggested. In fact, it's only in the last few years where I've focused on the south side which hopefully will improve if it gets some attention.

@@thedurhamcow3535 Sorry, forgot about following the boundary. 🤔

@@Natalie24564 That's fair enough 👍

Welcome to the club! I joined VC167 earlier this year when I caught the audax bug. Funny thing is I was one of its first members; I have a jersey somewhere that dates to the early nineties when it was formed. I left but the club moved on to become one of the biggest on the audax scene. I think we've bagged the most points this season of any club in the country. Thanks for watching. See you at an event hopefully. All the best.

@@thedurhamcow3535 thanks 😉 Didn’t realise VC167 had been established that long. I must admit, I’ve seen a few VC167 jerseys on other Audax RUclips videos I’ve watched. The club does seem to cover a fairly large area of the north east. Quite looking forward to my first event in December, hopefully I can tag along with someone to learn the ropes 😉

@@MrAnon-2024 It appears to cover the north of England and I think has a large contingent around the Sheffield area. The AGM is being held in December so I might be able to orientate myself a bit better then. Which event are you doing in December?

@@thedurhamcow3535blimey, the club does indeed cover a large area! I’m hoping to attend the 100km ‘Pit Ponies’ ride, starting from Haughton, Darlington 👍

@@MrAnon-2024 Oh great, that's interesting. I might see if I can coax the missus out on the tandem for that. Watch this space.

There you go Jason: www.plotaroute.com/route/2770744

Hi Peter, Thanks for your question. The answer's not very high tech I'm afraid. The frame is a 54 cm 'old fashioned' Kinesis cyclo-cross frame (the same one I'm using in the CX videos I made last season). It's aluminium with steel forks and canti-brakes. Tyres are relatively heavy (but punctureless for as long as I've ridden them) Schwalbe Marathons - 28 mm wired-on. I think I bought it in 2008 and am very happy with the setup. I don't feel at a disadvantage and can't see that there's any reason to change. In fact I quite like its idiosyncrasies - it has anything but a 'stealthy' look about it! Given that I'm not racing, I can't imagine under what circumstances I might look for something different. I have several other bikes including a tandem but this one's my favourite even though the tandem's super plush to ride on the road. All the best, Scott

@@thedurhamcow3535 Thanks for the reply. It's good to see someone who doesn't just follow the trend & 'upgrade' to the latest gear. It's also nice to see my local area in your videos (I live in Washington). One thing I have resisted so far is using some sort of Garmin. Can I ask what sort you're using? Thanks again 😊

@@peterwalton763 I use a relatively old and fairly basic Garmin Edge 520 to provide route stats for Strava and for real-time speed and distance. I don't use it 'actively' in order to minimise battery decline and because I'm not a fan of constant beeping (I could probably turn it off though). Neither am I particularly bothered about power metrics, or the like, despite wearing a HRM when running (I only do 'structured' training when running). You'll probably notice in the videos that I also use a clunky-looking 'walking' GPS - a Garmin 64st. This is my navigation system because it offers 1:50,000 OS mapping. I love maps and have always enjoyed using them. I've done a lot of orienteering and mountain-marathons over many years but, funnily enough, when I'm walking or running I almost always use 'proper' maps and a compass. On the bike, when not following a specific route, the 64st allows me to navigate 'on the fly' and do my own thing. I can easily locate features of interest (or have them offered to me) such as churches (typical) or other sites of antiquity, or land-forms. Regarding 'upgrades', well, it's a consumer treadmill isn't it? I could always be 'chasing the dream' but lack the budget to do it. The 18-gears I've got seem to be sufficient to get me to the top of any hill and cantilever rim-brakes have always been effective enough to keep me on the road. Each to their own though, maybe I was more like that years ago - I can't remember. There's a lot more I could add but feel free to ask. Good to know you're local and hope to see you around sometime. All the best, Scott

@@thedurhamcow3535 I'll check them out! tlThanks very much for the help. 😊

Another vote for Brooks. I actually bought and had delivered a B17 but sent it back because it felt a bit too big (it wasn't pre-softened either) but I won't lie: I was also shocked by the weight. I'm hoping that, if I wait long enough, then by some means or other, the answer to my particular problem will appear before me! At the moment I'm considering something from the Selle Italia Superflow range, possibly the Novus Endurance but we'll see. Thanks for the recommendation though. All the best.

​@thedurhamcow3535 my brooks b17 has the lace holes along the sides so l laced it up to pull the sides in. There is also the B17 S and also the swallow as a narrow version. I had great success with the SMP dynamic and WELL as ridden by mark beaumont.

Not at all, I've watched enough of them. They got me started!

Loads of coffee but I confine myself to looking at the cakes these days.

Cheers Mark. I think I'll be missing out on CX this year sadly because the bike has been repurposed for audax. Just need to find a reasonably priced gravel bike for next year. I really enjoyed it last season and will definitely miss it (perhaps not the mud in December) 😯. Hope you have a good 'un.

I'm inclined to agree - on both counts! 👍

Well, let's address that at the next one...

Interesting. We'll see...

Thanks Brian. PBP is definitely on the radar but I think I'm going to give LEL a miss (assuming I would have got in). There are a few other long ones I might have a go at next year.

@@thedurhamcow3535 good luck with them, my knee stops me doing anything super long...oh and my fitness 😂

@@brianridley1102 The 'F' word! 😄

Thanks Richard. Your videos have helped fuel my progress. Keep up the good work!

@@thedurhamcow3535 thank you too!

You're more than welcome. It was a pleasure. Thanks for watching 👍

Thanks Stuart. Yes, I recognised you on the video that Diane shot at Milton so had no intentions of cutting you out. Regarding the distance, I was truly surprised at how relatively 'easy' it was to step up until it was well beyond what I'd have considered myself capable of. Once I'd got my head around it that is. Don't get me wrong, I'm a reasonably strong cyclist with a lot of years behind me, but until this year I still regarded 100 miles with the club as being a 'big day in the chair'. I'm profoundly impressed at riders in the audax community, who crank out mega-miles weathers but don't look like 'racing snakes'. Humbling.

Riding audaxes in groups or pairs is very common either for efficiency and/or company. I probably prefer cycling alone, for several reasons, particularly if I'm wanting to video and/or photograph because few are going to fancy stopping or waiting for me to do my thing. I'm also easily distracted by features in the landscape which tends to work against cycling in a group. Having said that, if the conditions are challenging (strong headwind etc) I'll probably prioritise that instead.

Thanks very much, and for the comment 👍

Thanks for watching 👍

Good, I'm pleased. Thanks for watching it - Episode 2 is up as well

Hi Michael, sorry about being so late in replying. I seem to have missed this comment. I am on Strava (Scott Watson) which is where you'll find the route. The tunnel always offers a bit of variation or even the ferry for that matter. Hopefully we'll bump into each other at one of Andy's audaxes or even elsewhere. All the best. Scott

Thanks for watching Andy and pleased that you enjoyed it. Sorry that I couldn't join DCV at the weekend as planned but I didn't realise what a toll a 1000 km event would take on my system. Looks like you all had a great time though.

@thedurhamcow3535 Yes, so lucky with the weather (head wind on the last 25 miles on day one was tough). You couldn't make it would have been good to catch up.

@@andycswiss We will

You're perfectly placed for doing it in two halves like we did. It struck me later that Diane and I walked down the road from Wanlockhead to Thornhill, to the pub for dinner when we were competing with music festival-goers (I think I might have shown it briefly in the video). Thanks again for your considerate attention last Monday. It made a big impression! Scott

Stuart, I've watched it and many more of your videos. I'm just not as good as you are at communicating. I'm going to subscribe though. They've been very useful in informing my own audaxing progress this year (the 'pothole' episode was a particularly good one). I think rides/events that don't go as well as planned are often most useful. Sorry I didn't get to Mickleton but I think I've got you on video at Milton village hall (I think it was you anyway). I'll have a look at the events you've suggested, but I've been so tired since I finished that 1000 (I should have been away this weekend with Durham City Velo but didn't have it in me). Scott

@@thedurhamcow3535 Hi Scott. You take it easy after that mega ride! That's super impressive!!! I hope to catch up with you sometime at another event, if not at the up and coming rides. I'm sure our paths will cross. :)

Also... You should see the amount of editing I have to do to appear semi coherent! You come across really well in your videos. Stuart :)

So pleased you're enjoying the videos Jim. Whilst I enjoy the physical challenge that cycling offers it's primarily a more enjoyable way of getting to see places of interest. The fitter I am, the further I can go and the more easily I can get there. Such is my enthusiasm for the places I visit that I end up with too much to say and not enough video time in which to say it. The missus constantly berates me for cramming too much info into too brief a space but in order to keep the vids to a manageable length I don't have much choice. It's a good though point and duly noted. I'll try harder. All the best.

⁠@@thedurhamcow3535thanks for the explanation. I will look forward to the next video.

I pass through High Grange a lot (almost always downhill!). Glad you like the video. Take care.

Hope it didn't disappoint... 🙏

Definitely not. Your channel is my favourite cycling content. I’m having to make do watching you until I’m able to ( hopefully) ride again myself after a long - and unfortunately continuing- period of ill-health. You are certainly helping me to maintain hope & enthusiasm that I’ll get back on the bike regularly sometime in the future. Thank you!!

@@KFK1141 That's nice of you to say and very much appreciated - we all need motivation from time to time, even to do the stuff we shouldn't need to be motivated for (if you can make sense of that). I sincerely hope that it's not long before you're back in the saddle. Very best regards. Scott

Thanks Scott. Fingers crossed. Best regards, Kevin.

My missus has only just got used to the 'bobbing bars'. Thanks for the comment.

😄

Amen to that!

Ha, Ha! You're right!

Thanks!

Cheers for the comment. I'm not aware of the London Centuries channel but I like to have a bit of context when watching videos. I'll also be posting a 300 km route which I've called the 'Palatine Pedal'. You might be interested in that. All the best

I took some time to check out a decent weather window!

I’m typing this from the Kirkby Stephen control of Andy’s 1000. Borders out the way and looking forward to a few hours kip. I’ve watched and enjoyed quite a few of your videos too. Keep them coming. Might pop into Mickleton if the timings are right. All the best. Scott

Sorry about the delay in replying but I equally appreciate the comment. Nice to be able to share the love for our countryside. All the best

Thanks very much @briansteel4872 - so glad you like them and really appreciate the comment. All the best.

Thanks a lot. I've found that knowing that folks enjoy the videos helps with motivation to complete distances that I'd never previously have considered. All the best

Thanks for taking the time to watch it Simon, pleased you enjoyed it. Well done to you too. All the best

What a great comment, and thanks for the compliments, though I feel the video was hardly worthy. I am pleased though, to find that there are folks watching them that see the world in a similar to the way I see it, because that's the only way I'm capable of showing it. My objective is always to try to communicate my own experience of the event. On the subject of helmets, or the lack of, it's always a topic that will stimulate conversation: what I'll say is that I'm 'pro-choice' but, as you've already noticed in other videos, I usually wear one. It's not against the rules in audax, and is, in fact, quite common for riders to opt for a cap instead of a helmet. Being comfortable on the bike seems to be the priority. I usually ditch the helmet on warm/hot days but anything else, and back on it goes. Potential speeds, and the proximity of traffic and tarmac are both good reasons to consider wearing one (I never wear gloves either, which are also a good idea in the event of a crash - as would be a good set of motorcycling leathers!). In cyclo-cross I felt far less vulnerable than I do on the roads (even when wearing a helmet). In British Cycling events you're not even allowed to be in charge of a bike without wearing one! Thanks once again for the comment and the thoughtfulness that went into it. Take care. Scott

Well, they say beauty's in the eye of the beholder don't they? Plenty of good folk have described them as bleak, that's for sure but I'm not amongst them. I've lived in and around Durham for most of my life and I'm grateful to have the landscape on my doorstep - even when the clag's down (that's how I learned to use map and compass and got into orienteering). I'd say the hills we have in the North Pennines are perfect for a day out - not too big and not too small. Ideal for running up and down - if that's your thing (it is mine, if I'm not on the bike). Maybe I should do a video to try and convince you! 😄 Thanks for the comment and all the best.

Nice one, well done. I've had to adopt a completely different attitude to the wet stuff - there's just no avoiding it! All the best for next weekend - what's the event?

@@thedurhamcow3535 Debatable Lands, 1st June

@@thedurhamcow3535 200k AKA 130m & 9.000ft in 11 hours 😀

@@br5380 Well done! You must be pleased with that?

@@thedurhamcow3535 yes, and the weather was perfect.

Many thanks! I've watched a few LEL 22 videos. Perhaps I've seen you? It's something I'm considering but we'll have to see how longer events go. I've commented about this elsewhere but I'm not sure how my resolve would be passing so close to home! 😯

@@thedurhamcow3535 You have probably seen me in a few. The Norwegian Tor Hovland has a great video from LEL amongst others. I didn’t have a camera then, so I’ve just uploaded some photos to RUclips from that amazing event. I entered LEL without having done any rides in that length in beforehand. Think my longest one was about 550 km. You’ll get through it, no doubt at all! Can’t wait to do it again in 2025 😀. But first it’s 1001 Miglia in Italy in August 😁.

@@arvidnordstrand I know Tor Hovland's so I'll be looking back at the video. Appreciate the advice and your experience. I'm entering a 400 this month so we're creeping upwards... All the best.

Thanks for the kind comment. It was a great route and highly recommended. Perhaps some sunshine next time? 😎🙏