Hexham Surprise
Today the weather Gods played a bit of a game with us. They started the day bright, clear but breezy. Then just before the allotted start time they turned the sky black, the wind right up and switched the rain to "fierce". Faced with such variable conditions the group wisely decided that today's ride should avoid the exposed moorland of Hexhamshire Common and instead seek sheltered byways. This debate concluded - we set off towards Hexham.
Today's group was Isobel, Ian A, Arthur and Mark - who all set a cracking pace downhill past The Travellers Inn. We turned onto our first byway of the day down to Peth's Foot, just as a large group of trail riders decided to use the same route to check how loud they could rev their engines and how much dirt they could spit off their back tyres. It seems that a full face helmet denies the person inside any sense of peacefullness or sensitivity to others.
Crossing Devil's Water we made our way over to Dipton Burn byway. The steep descent was exciting as the combination of slippy rocks, slippy leaves and slippery tree routes conspired to deny us all any traction at all. Isobel's lack of rear brakes added a certain air of abandon to the descent as well.
Pausing for breath at the bridge we all marvelled at the beauty of this silvian glade. We then started the ascent up to The Racecourse. Not for the first time we all remarked at what a great descent this would be - if only we could choose a route that came the other way. Reaching the Racecourse Road we picked a series of interesting Bridles down to The South Tyne. These bridles rode remarkably well considering how wet it has been.
Once on the valley floor a quick pace was achieved across Tyne Green and our chosen lunchspot beside the raging waters of Hexham Weir. There were no canoeists or rowers today as the river was in full spate.
We left Hexham by the road bridge then turned right towards Corbridge. The bridle by the River showed evidence of just how high the river must have been last week. The most obvious sign being a 20 pound Salmon lying on the track, some 10 feet higher than the current water level. This fine specimen was duly photgraphed for posterity - but it was deemed just a bit too smelly to take home for dinner.
Crossing the Tyne again at Corbridge, then the long but pleasant climb, up through High Town and into Dilston Woods. The trail here is a delight as it weaves through the trees and then descends a beautiful gulley. The last few klicks are on tarmac, back up to Slaley Village for coffee and cakes.
The weather had actually been quite kind to us, but undoubtedly the route wasa good choice for today as the wind up at Slaley on south facing slopes was significantly stronger than those in the valley on North facing slopes. The variety of scenery, ground conditions, byways, bridles, lanes and permissive tracks - always with the beautiful Tyne Valley vistas - made for another splendid days ride.
Mark
THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND
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