North Tyne Round - August 2nd 2009
Eight Bum's gathered in Bellingham for a 10am start with weather fast clearing from grey/cool to sunny and warm. A special 'local' greeting was offered (without invitation) by a loud Scotsman with a particular fondness for man made trails of the Kielder variety and how we should be riding them now. With his advice left hanging in the air and the usual fettling, tinkering and warm up banter behind us we rolled out smartly heading for Shitlington Common via Mantle Hill, an alternative route to the usual.
Turned out the "loud one" was chief forester/ trail builder for Kielder, known best locally for enjoying the sound of his own voice. Hopefully we'll hear him coming next time ! The climb up to Brieredge was muddy and got the lungs nicely warmed up and the last grassy meadow started giving some excellent views of the superb North Tyne valley.. Back on the regular route now, we made none of the usual navigational errors crossing the common, and nailed the line exact all the way to the tarmac. With local boy Anthony on board it was decided to put the not oft ridden Pundershaw loop in, and what a treat it was.
Diving into the depths of Wark Forest along the bridle grassy single track was superb, much less industrial than some parts of big brother Kielder with more variety of tree and softer fire roads and more views than you shake a muddy (bums) stick at. The feeling of remoteness is the saving grace of these man-made forests and Wark stretching all the way down to Hadrians Wall has it in abundance and deserves a return journey to travel further in to the scenic depths. A strange mixture of dry roads and wet trails kept us entertained and by now it was extreme clartyarses from all the bogtrotting and mosstrooping going on, but not cold, in fact sweating from the now balmy conditions.
Well into the ride now, and doing stuff we hadn't ridden before, we rolled on over Cairglastenhope and down to the Chirdon Burn and along Allerybank and up a cheeky climb to a great view again of the lunch stop, Roughside Bothy hidden amongst the trees. Another sweaty climb up to the cottage in the forest and a much cleaned up bothy was frequented again for lunch. The bridle through the forest to Smalesmouth is a gem and spits you out too soon at the tarmac, but by this stage thoughts had turned to Falstone Cafe a mere 1.5 miles along the black stuff, ... pedal to the metal and we arrive tongues hanging out for the usual "lashings".
Now the turn for home was ably assisted by a tail wind and sharp progress was made along the north side of the valley to Slaty Ford, not slimy or slippy, and everyone got safely through including Mr Ford (eh Graham ? see what I did there ?) The rough track gradually morphs to tarmac and with the wind we flew down off the hill to Lanehead and then down again for the final stretch along the old railway line into Bellingham.
Another grand day oot in't countryside and yet more cake scoffing was had in the local cafe. ~ cheers - Gavin.
THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND
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