Stanhope Hilly Ride

Peter's programmed to lead a hard hilly ride from Stanhope in Weardale, and Liz is so keen to get there on time that we arrive for a 10 O'clock start, when the ride is actually scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. After a few frantic phone calls, because no one is at the start!, we are met by Charles and Peter at the correct time, and by Ron a little later (he had lost his car keys). The first hill was straight out of Stanhope, namely Crawleyside. So we all followed it's namesake and crawled to the top, headed west into the wind, then had an exhilarating descent into Blanchland.

The second climb out of the afore mentioned village gave us views across Derwent reservoir, and the national youth sailing championships being contested on it's sun drenched, wind swept waters. Climbing up through the forest everyone was pestered by hordes of flies, which were soon left behind as we descended by the golf course outside Hexham. Time for food here, and as we sat outside the cafe (continental style), I couldn't help but mention the fact that this reminded me of drinking coffee, and soaking up sunshine on the Champs Elysees, while watching the finish of the tour de France.

It was to be uphill now all the way to Allendale village, and onward and upward to Allenheads, where we enjoyed another cake and coffee stop alfresco, before pushing on again uphill to cross back into Weardale at Cowshill, and a delightful descent to St Johns Chapel. The views today had been stunning, traffic light and weather excellent, so we all had a fast ride along the back road down Weardale back to Stanhope, with a few mechanical glitches excepted, a perfect days ride.

Thanks Peter, next time get some of those mountain bikers out on these hills, I am sure that is what there low gears are intended to cope with.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Stanhope Hilly Ride

Paul