Simonburn & Roman Wall Circuit - 20 Sept 2009
Well every ride has its day ... and this was definitely the day for this ride. Glorious autumnal sunshine combined with a cooling westerly breeze and dry ground conditions - made the route from Simonburn and around the most scenic part of the Roman Wall a perfect choice for today.
And obviously a very popular choice too - with a big turnout effectively filling the Simonburn Car Park. Willie, Julie, Gavin D, Gavin Mc, Anne, Isobel, Ian A, Derek, Kevin, Tom, Steve, Terry, Dave, Arthur, Graeme and Mark made up the 16 riders for the day.
The route leaves Simonburn and climbs a small lane up towards the Military Road. The views along the wall and North across Northumberland were already quite spectacular - even this early into the ride, and they got better and better all day. Crossing straight over the Military Road took us down a bridle towards Newbrough, where after a short bit of tarmac we turned west along a long byway, with great tyne valley vistas to entertain us.
We then turned North and upwards back to the wall where lunch was taken. Everyone feasted on the splendid views and stocked up on calories for the return leg of the route. This was to take us across much unchartered ground passing old farms, shimmering loughs and spectacular rocky outcrops. But just as we were contemplating those pleasures - a whistle shrilled out from just down the track, immediately followed by a voice barking a command that "one of you get down here now !". The reaction was mixed - some of us thought this was the most hilarious scene (taking us instantly back to our youthful days of being shouted at by "grown ups"), others felt a rising sense of afront, that some small man was bawling at us (and blowing a whistle !), whilst others (thankfully) thougt they had better make the peace. Steve swept forward to converse with the small man. Within minutes they were shaking hands and clearly getting on famously. But being out of ear shot none of us could imagine what Steve had said (and he wouldn't tell us later). But it is clear - that Steve can charm the birds out of the trees - as we were permitted to proceed along our planned route. [It was later confirmed by the Rights of Way Officer at NCC that this route was perfectly bike legal.]
The cross country nature of the route we now enjoyed was truly beautiful. Never too hard, never too steep, never too wet or too muddy. That is all apart from one particularly nasty mud hole, lurking menacingly towards the bottom of a fast, flowing descent. Isobel was the unfortunate rider that found her spinning front wheel being grabbed by the clay like claws of this hole, stopping her bike dead, and causing her to exit over the handle bars. Falling face & chest first onto stoney ground is no fun for anyone, particularly when front teeth dig viciously into lower lip. A dozen pairs of hands rushed to profer assorted first aid kits and within seconds there were enough antispetic wipes available to cure the plague. Mud and blood were wiped off, with Isobel maintaining an impressively cheerful and positive demeanor throughout. Most blokes would have been crying like babies if this had happened to them.
The ride then continued, albeit slightly more tentatively, with several stops to soak in yet more of the lovelyness of this wild and beautiful place. Simonburn was reached by 3pm where everyone adjourned to the cafe to restock on calories, caffiene and craick.
Altogether - a classic Northumbrian mountain bike ride - thoroughly enjoyed by all (including Isobel - for whom we all hope the scabby lip doesn't look too bad tomorrow !).
Mark
THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses")
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND
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