As it wasn't raining, had a lunchtime blat out to Newstead Abbey on the new Rockrider. Blimey, first 10 mins or so were cold. Probably around zero degrees with the sun out...
All I've done since I picked the bike up is swap the flats for risers (a flukey perfect match anno-wise from the LBS) and get it mucky...
Obligatory "Graffiti" backdrop shot somewhere near Linby:
Climb up the hills at the back of Newstead Village (home of the Headstock Festival that Sarah Beeny was documenting. Alas no sign of her or her jubblies...)
Past the waterfall into Newstead Abbey where the mocha is £2.25. Mug is the right word. Examine the muck on the bike, yep, well and truly cacked up now
The sun came out and I saw, for the first time, the strange weave of this carbon. It's like someone has smeared butter over the frame and then managed to lacquer it:
Bike handles great with the risers. Nice bits of green ano where they could have gone cheaper. Not very generous with the lockout cable length, just about reaches where I want the switch on the risers, but no complaints with it at all.
Blatted back up to Annesley (highest point in Notts) and back to work before my toes turned black and fell off in the bath (a la Rannulph Fiennes).
BRRRRRR.... Snow due Thu so they say.
About 11 miles in an hour, including a cuppa. Mud not conducive to vmax efforts
