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Northumberland Weekend

Often September provides some of the best cycling weather of the year, so we arranged this weekend based at Once Brewed Youth hostel to entice people further north into our home territory.

Gathering within site of Hadrian's Wall on a lovely Saturday morning, we broke with cycling tradition and began the ride by zooming downhill, much to the delight of the 5 riders. A technical hitch with Geoff Kensett's newly acquired bike (no brakes!) gave us the opportunity to look back down on Vindolanda, one of the visitor attractions for the Romans and now for present day tourists. Soon we turned off the tarmac onto a stony track which is one of those BOATS, and further along its length it is actually classed as a road, much to the dismay of motorists who found themselves diverted onto it. The track gives fine views of Hadrian's Wall and the surrounding open countryside. An exciting descent took us into the village of Newbrough, where we decided it was time for lunch in the local Inn. Old photos of the local cycle club mounted on penny farthing bikes made us appreciate the comfort of our machines. We now started the climb back up to Hadrian's Wall, first on tarmac then on a boggy track and finally across rough moorland. While attempting to open a stubborn gate, the team lifting the gate dropped it on the finger of the person pulling back the fastening.You might think this was an unfortunate accident, but rumour has it this was a premeditated attempt to damage Dave's typing finger because of jealousy of his literary talents.

Across the vallum and Hadrian's Wall which lay beneath the Military Road at this point, we ventured on more field bridleways until we reached the attractive village of Simonsburn with its tea stop. This may have come a little soon after lunch, but not for Liz. A track through woods and farm brought us onto the road leading to Wark Forest. This long established coniferous forest has open access for walkers and cyclists, but no waymarked routes. However, James our intrepid leader, has a nose for negotiating the intricate web of forest tracks and we emerged at the right place, or so he tells us. The route back to the hostel took us over the Whin Sill ridge, here displaying an impressive section of Hadrian's Wall.

The hostel provided excellent accommodation in 4 and 6 bedded rooms and a reasonable meal. It also exhibits a lot of ducks.We left Liz still counting them and wandered the 60 yards to the Twice Brewed pub, where Liz joined us later by car! - well it was dark I suppose.

The first day was the clean one. Now came the clarty day, and we had the weather to go with it. Low cloud meant that views over the Hexhamshire moorland were very limited, but as a great deal of concentration was required to negotiate the narrow tracks and boggy mires, there was little time for taking in the scenery. We parked in Allendale Town market place and returned to cycling tradition by starting the ride on a steep ascent onto Hexhamshire Common. Once off the road, our average speed increased to about 6mph as we rode through the bog and heather, but a long descent on a rock strewn track proved exhilarating. As the pub at Whitley Chapel has now closed, lunch was taken at a very pleasant picnic spot beside the Rowley Burn ford. Beside the bubbling waters many topics were discussed including the merits of the Dyson vacuum cleaner - don't let anyone suggest SOC mountain bikers are not technically minded. On our return across the moorland we met the one person we saw all day, and followed the bridlepath through every puddle, including one which washed every part of the bike and half of the rider as well. This meant we had relatively clean bikes to put on or in cars, but required a striptease in the middle of the market square. We took afternoon tea in the cafe in Allendale to await our wandering member, who wanted to keep her bike clean, and to recky Hadrian's Wall for her school visit. Hope some of it is still standing after they leave!

Barbara Gravenor

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003