THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses") MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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Nine Muddy Bums (Willie, Julie, Kev, Steve G, Ian A , Ian S, Graham, Dave and Tom) arrived in the town centre of Alwinton for what promised to be another cracking day, riding through the heart of the Northumberland country side that is the cheviot hills, and as the weather couldn’t have been any better (clear blue skies and a brisk cool blowing from the east) everyone was looking forward to getting started.

Once we’d all said our hellos and caught up with what was happening in the world and Tom fixed another puncture (Tom - buy some new tubes you tight sod), the group of happy wanderers set off some 20 minutes late towards Clennel Hall. Following the river Alwin until we reached the wood head, we then turned toward Kidlandlee and our first long climb of the day. Fortunately the forestry commission had been clear felling trees in the area so it was an added pleasure to see views we hadn’t seen before and it allowed the breeze to keep us cool whilst climbing on such a warm day.

Slowly climbing (for some, not for others), we eventually joined Clennel Street at Wholhope Knowe, where we took a short rest before moving on past Saughty and Nettlehope hills and onto the Border County Ride for a roller coaster ride through WellCleugh (avoiding the Dutch dumping ground), crossing Yarnspath Law and passing the waterfall at the bottom, and onto the new (the old one was washed away in a couple of years ago) footbridge, that crosses the Usway Burn at this point.

Due to the weather being so favourable, several Muddies decided to try and cross the ford for a change, all made it except Steve, who didn’t. Someone said they didn’t think seals could get this far up the river, before realising Steve had fallen in getting thoroughly soaked (it didn’t look deep enough). After the howls of laughter at Steve’s misfortune subsided, and he’d got his composure back, we moved on passing Hazely Law, towards Usway Ford then passing through the gate and up into the forest and headed towards the signpost for Salters Road, which we turned onto, then dropped to Davidsons Linn where we stopped for a 20 minute lunch break, where Graham discussed whether he wanted to take it up the Suez or the Panama we assumed he meant ships but knowing Graham………..

When everyone was fed and watered we eventually moved off, making good time due to the dry, warm conditions and the fact that the Salters Road bridle (had been in a terrible state due to motorcycle activity) had now been repaired. Quickly crossing over the dry moorland we soon passed by Hen Hill, Nagshead Knowe and Ainsey Knowe where we hit a short fast downhill section which dropped us onto the road at the top of the Breamish valley then on past Highbleakhope towards Low Bleakhope and, as we could see in the distance, our next big climb of the day. Knowing what was to come made the grinding push up onto the top of Little Dod a little less painful and in no time at all we were looking down on one of the best downhill sections in Northumberland, getting our wind back we set off one at a time accelerating quickly and disappearing into the distance reaching the bottom in what seemed like seconds before climbing up Green Knowe (avoiding the dog turds on the way) and heading towards Ewartly Shank. Taking a few minutes to look back at what we’d just ridden down, the view with Shillmoor looming up in the background was a sight to see and made us all grin with delight (real mountain bikers do a lot of that).

A short tarmac section from Ewartly shank took us back onto the moor, skirting High Knowes and making our way across to White Gate, where we left Salters Road and headed towards Hazelton Rig following the Scrainwood burn to Scrainwood. Turning onto the final section of the ride, there was a short tarmac run past Scrabby Wood Elilaw and Biddlestone Town Foot, where Tom had an unfortunate accident (no he didn’t soil his pants) whilst trying to pass through a gap that was there but then suddenly disappeared leaving nowhere to go except down which he did Tom come off worse after Steve landed on top of him. Once Tom, slightly dazed, pulled himself together (refusing Graham and Kev’s offer to spray him in iodine just so they could see him squeal with pain), we continued on our way passing Rookland and then on to our final downhill of the day past Clennel Cottages and back through the caravan park into Alwinton - battered, bloody and bruised but happy at completing another fantastic day’s mountain biking in Northumberland’s magnificent Cheviot Hills, Cheers Willie, Julie, Kev, Steve G, Ian S, Ian A, Dave, Graham and not forgetting bloody Tom.