Recently in Les Hanson Category

Bike ride from Newcastle Business Park to Tynemouth Priory

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Park in Newcastle Business Park as shown on the map.

Distance - I prefer to talk in time it will take. However plenty of sign posts so you can work it out.
Time Taken - Are you going there and back? I would suggest 3 hours each way with a Greggs Picnic break in Tynemouth making it an all day affair.
Special features - The Tyne and everything associated with it. Including the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclists Tunnel (which unfortunately I leave for you to discover yourself on another day)
Difficulty - Very Easy - But may be further than you think.
Track - Mostly trail although you do wander through houses and on bike paths along side roads.
Advice - I don't normally give.

Bike ride from near Consett to Weatherhill

Park at the car park down from Templetown on the Consett road as shown on the map. It is signposted for Cycle routes.

Distance - I prefer to talk in time it will take. However plenty of sign posts so you can work it out.
Time Taken - Anything from 2 - 3 hours depending on how many of the seats and views you take advantage of and your consumption at the cyclist Hotel
Special features - Probably the highest you have ever ridden (although big cheat is the height you start at) and therefore the feeling of being on top of the world.
Difficulty - Easy - Some inclines but nothing I would describe as a hill.
Track - All trail.
Advice - I don't normally give, however as this is part of the C2C and it can be busy at popular times. As it is not too far and plenty of good pubs in the region we save this one for an evening ride.

Bike ride from Leaplish around the Lakeside Way via Kielder Castle over the Dam and return to Leaplish.

Park at the car park at the lakeside in Leaplish half way around the south side.

Distance - I prefer to talk in time it will take. However plenty of sign posts so you can work it out.
Time Taken - Anything from 5 - 7 hours depending on how many of the Art Treasures you seek out
Special features - Almost too many to count, however my suggestions are the Sculptures, Kielder Castle and the views.
Difficulty - Easy but a long way - Some inclines one or two qualifying as a hill perhaps.
Track - All trail except for a couple of short tarmac interludes.
Advice - I don't normally give, however although we enjoyed the route on our trail bike I think we would have had more fun on a mountain bike.

Bike ride from Newburn to Corbridge via Wylam and back again.
There are several additional adventures that can extend this route which I will cover separately.

Park at the car park opposite Newburn Leisure centre.

Distance - I prefer to talk in time it will take. However plenty of sign posts so you can work it out.
Time Taken - Anything from 3 - 5 hours depending on routes taken and how long you spend in Brockbushes or Corbridge
Special features - Several, Close House golf club (free round for the mention?), Tyne Valley, Bywell Church and Corbridge.
Difficulty - Easy - Some inclines one or two qualifying as a hill perhaps.
Track - All tarmac and trail.

Bike ride from Warkworth through to Alnmouth revitalising in Craster and returning by Howick Hall.

Distance I prefer to talk in time it will take. This way you can in all honesty tell friends it was about ish miles.
Time Taken - Anything from 3 - 5 hours depending on fitness, picnics, cafes, castles, beaches or shortcuts.
Special features - Northumberland Coast shown in all its glory with picturesque villages sandy bays and rugged Castles.
Difficulty - Easy Lots of gentle hills and quite roads. Hardly an opportunity to complain.
Track - Tarmac and some trail along the bays above Boulmer.

Cycling routes for the "fitish" or those who would like to be

These cycle rides are based on my own need to get out and keep fit whilst not getting bored (as there are only so many times you can ride up and down the same old railway track). Plus very often my wife will come with me and therefore I have an added incentive to make sure all routes are downhill, or at least on the level, and mud is kept to a minimum.

I hope therefore to set your expectations of the cycle routes as enjoyable, rewarding, sometimes strenuous and very often finishing at a pub. Please remember never drink and drive, why not try what we do, share the driving. I always drive there and my wife drives back (if only that were true)

Additional features of my routes are that I always try to ensure the last third of the journey is mostly downhill or flat, this way my wife temporarily forgets the more strenuous parts of the experience and lets slip that yes, it was enjoyable.