I've been looking locally for a caged headset bearing for my SL4 Hardtail and haven't had much joy so, as I bought the bike from Leisurelakes in Daventry, I'd ride over with the old one and see if they could help (it's a Cannondale size, ie, non-standard)
I decided to do the hilly part of the route first, then back on slightly flatter roads.
On the canal path near Rothersthorpe, a pair of MTB'ers were walking along. On stopping to ask if they were OK, I noticed a distinct lack of chain on one of the bikes. He'd snapped it a few miles before we met. I did offer to get the multitool out and join it back up, but they said they only had a mile to go but thanks for the offer anyway..
From Bugbrook and Kislingbury onwards it gets quite lumpy, finishing with Newnham Hill, a Cat4 climb. I've not done this side of the hill before.
Banana power!!
Newnham Hill is about a mile long with the steepest part near the top being 25% for a short distance. The blast down t'other side into Dav is great though. I did have to slow down for a few of the bands as the roads were a quite greasy today.
This alpaca seemed to be laughing at my pathetic attempt at hill climbing
The easiest way to Leisurelakes LBS is through the town centre as the by-pass isn't a nice road to use.
I bought the bearing I needed for the princely sum of £1. (30 miles to buy a £1 bearing, then the ride back as well...
)
I'd hoped to grab a coffee there but they were so slow serving the two people in front of me that I gave up and headed homewards.
Never mind, Whilton Lock and the Marina have a café that also serves cake. Not a huge slab, but that was just as well as it was really rich!
After a 20 minute stop, I aimed home through Nobottle and Duston, then the final 10 miles via the bike paths along the Nene and up the hill in Gt Billing.
Home on 51 miles in slightly warmer weather than I've been used to recently.
https://www.strava.com/activities/255316005