Seaton Sluice Waggonways

Sunday 25th October - riders Willie, Arthur, Kevin, Ian A, Ian B, Ian S, Dave, Terry, Gavin M, Tony, Derek, Tom

Local ride you said, should be back early you said, 9 hour’s and 66 miles later one extremely wet and half deflated, sorry individual was stood at the front door looking for some sort of sympathy (no chance).

Much earlier the 12 individuals mentioned above gathered at a fairly windswept car park at Seaton Sluice, the majority had chosen to ride to the start point, Terry was out just for an hour as he is slowly trying to get back out on his bike after being poorly for a few weeks and Gavin rode to the half way point in Hollywell Dene as he was having a sneaky hour before returning home.

The plan was to try and do as many woods and sheltered areas as possible aiming to dodge a fairly strong headwind and also to avoid the recently cut hawthorn hedges which caused so much mayhem the last time we went this way. The route was Hollywell Dene-Backworth-Camperdown-Gosforth Park-Dark Plantation-Havanah Country Park-Woolsington-Whorlton–North Walbottle-Throckley and Newburn Dene (puncture for Dave prior to the dene with a rear blowout, once the tube had been replaced we noticed his bike had been festooned with dog sh@t which took a few minutes to scrape off - lunch was also taken in the dene) before reaching the river Tyne at Newburn Haughs.

Once we hit the river we headed west with the wind on our tails making for a very easy ride to the Quayside. We stopped for coffee opposite the law courts and took in some of the stunning views; the scenery had its merits also. Once everyone’s batteries had been recharged we followed the C 2 C route along the Tyne before heading North at the pedestrian tunnel and onto Shiremoor, Arthur and Ian B headed back to Forest Hall from here with Derek also heading to Cramlington soon after, the remaining seven once again skirted Hollywell before Dave led them off up to the Avenue before both Tony and Dave turned left for Blyth and Hartley with the rest riding down the cycle path to Seaton Sluice in the ever diminishing light. 50 miles the round trip and some pretty tired legs.

The editor turned about face at the Sluice and headed for home via the dene,the light had gone now and although he had lights they were the type to be seen not to see with if you get what I mean, luckily a following light in the woods caught up and an old acquaintance had been renewed with Shona (Thursday night midair rider - before injury) who was out having a quick blast now that the walkers had gone home, she escorted me to Hollywell before doing a U turn back through the dene. The remaining trail home was completed in the dark thankfully on familiar tracks, then the rain started and the winds got stronger and just for good measure a puncture to the rear tyre, what no spare!! (Given to Dave earlier as his spare failed to inflate) bu@@er. Nothing to do but ride then pump ride then pump for the last three miles as couldn’t be bothered to repair tube. Finally home for 6.15am.

Cheers for the company, hope you all enjoyed.

Ian A

THE MUDDY BUMS  (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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