Simonside

Route Information

Stats: 55 miles and  3650 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

Cafes at: Kirkley Cycles, N1 Golf Centre, Elsdon, Wallington Hall, The Stables (just before Bolam lake, on right), Bolam Lake visitor centre.

Character

A loop of the Simonside hills overlooking Rothbury and the Coquet valley, returning via Harwood forest.

Route

1. Start at Kirkley Cycles (free parking available) and turn left. Keep going past the golf centre then turn right then next left, follow the road through the burn then take a right for Mitford, passing the pretty church on the left and castle ruins on the right.

2. At the top of the road turn left and continue until a right turn at the Dyke Neuk pub. Follow the road until a t-junction and turn right signed for Netherwitton where a left turn follows the river font to Ritton Bank, a fair climb up to meet the wind turbines (this climb features on the Virgin Money Cyclone sportive).

3. Carry on to Forrestburn Gate and turn right, then a short while later a left for Simonside. The climb ends with spectacular views of the town of Rothbury and the Coquet valley, then drops down through the tiny villages of Great and Little Tosson before meeting the river.

4. Take a left turn onto the B6341, and onto the climb of Bilsmoor (also featured on the VM Cyclone, this one is a timed climb during the sportive), then drop down into Elsdon.

5. At the village, veer left and over the bridge to begin the last big climb of Winter’s Gibbet, which starts off steep through several sharp bends then relents to a gentle straight rise to the gallows on the summit. This was used to hang criminals and cattle rustlers and takes its name from one William Winter who was hanged in 1791 for the murder of Margaret Crozier.

6. The road then rewards with a long arrow straight gradual downhill past Harwood forest. Turn right at the end and pass through the villages of Cambo and Wallington.

7. Turn left just before the bridge then a right and pass Bolam lake, turn left then next right through Bolam village and on to Whalton.

8. Turn left into the village then next right for Ogle.

9. Take a right in the village for Kirkley, pass the entrance for the Hall and zoological gardens and turn left to return to Kirkley Cycles on the left.

Roman Way

Route Information

Stats: 38 miles and  2370 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

Cafes at: Corbridge, Hexham, Bardon Mill, Haltwhistle, Greenhead, Gilsland, Lanercost, Brampton

Character

A ride through the countryside and through time! A glimpse into the occupation of Britain by the Roman Empire along the northern frontier of Hadrian’s Wall from the Roman fort town of Corbridge to Brampton.

Route

1. Leave the town centre and pass the Wheatsheaf pub on the s bend, then take a left turn onto Corchester Lane.

2. Follow this road as in winds its way toward the thriving medieval market town of Hexham, and enter the town through the industrial estate road and a left turn onto the bridge, take caution this is a busy road but is the only one into the town, then turn right at the roundabout and enter the park.

3. Cross the railway twice and follow the path along the river where you can see the joining of the North and South Tyne.

4. At the end turn right then cross the railway again, best to dismount as the road and rails cross at an angle giving this crossing a reputation for cycle crashes, and continue to Fourstones which was the site of the first official Boy Scout camp in 1908, then on to Newbrough and Stanegate which is the route of the original Roman military road alongside the Wall.

5. After the Stanegate rise, the top of which on a clear day can be seen Cross Fell in the Pennines and Cheviot in Northumberland, the road drops sharply on which take a right turn for the Vindolanda Roman fort excavation site.

6. After the fort follow the NCN 72 signs until you cross the A69 then take a right into Bardon Mill. Carry on along the old Carlisle road through the villages of Redburn and Melkridge to Haltwhistle, which occupies the geographical ‘Centre of Britain’. (Editor’s note – a claim hotly contested by Dunsop Bridge in Lancashire)

7. Turn right then left onto the main street, and again follow the NCN 72 signs out of the town until you meet the B6318, turn left then it’s a sharp descent into the village of Greenhead.

8. Take the first right for the wall fort of Gilsland, cross the bridge and turn left then take another left for Birdoswald which stands on the Roman fort of Banna.

9. Rejoin the route of Hadrian’s Wall, passing Bank’s East Turret, and on to Lanercost with its impressive Priory.

10. Cross the river Irthing and continue into Brampton.

Muggleswick & the Delves

Route Information

Stats: 29 miles and  3150 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

Knitsley Farm Cafe near Delves is a cracking spot, and popular with cyclists. Their bangers are particularly renowned, so get yourself along for a bite to eat and a brew.

Character

Quiet and isolated roads and the road around Smidy Shaw Reservior make this a touring cyclists route. It really is a gem of a ride, with a great Pennine hill climb thrown into the mix. This is a cracking route that rolls around superb countryside and will test your climbing skills.

Route

1. From Consett head out to the Old Mill at Knitsley. Turn left and follow  loop via the junction at Longedge Lane and head along this.
2. Cross over the A68 before twisting right, via Muggleswick to Edmundbyers.
3. Leave Edmundbyers towards Stanhope and at the summit turn left to Waskerley and head for home crossing the A68 once more.

Edge of Kielder

Route Information

Stats: 59 miles and  4880 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

Cafes at Elsdon, Otterburn, Bellingham, Rothbury

Character

Loop based in Rothbury, taking in the Alwinton valley, skirting the eastern fringe of the Kielder National Park and the plateau of Sweethope Loughs, on quiet roads and single track.

Route

1. Starting at Rothbury head west and turn right at Thropton, then next left and go through Snitter.

2. Continue to Netherton and turn left to Alwinton.

3. At the bridge turn left, pass through Harbottle, turn right just before Sharperton and follow the river Coquet (“coke-it”), to rejoin the B6341 turning right.

4. Climb onto Bilsmoor Common (as featured in the Virgin Money Cyclone), and descend into Elsdon.

5. Veer right in the village and head for Otterburn. Briefly join the A696 for Otterburn.

6. Turn left in the village and pass the mill. Cross the A68 and go over Hareshaw Common and drop into Bellingham.

7. Turn left then right onto the Redesmouth road (also signed for NCN 10, Reivers).

8. Climb from the bridge at Redesmouth up the hill locally known as ‘vomit’ and cross the A68 onto Sweethope Lough windfarm. Carry on, pass the shoe tree, and cross the A696 at Knowesgate.

9. At the next junction turn left, then right at the end.

10. Turn left and pass Rothley lakes and follow the undulating road through Forestburngate all the way back to Rothbury.

Storiths & Bolton Abbey

Route Information

Stats: 17 miles and  1552 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

The secret place here ,  the Storiths cafe at “Back O’ Th’ Hill Farm” has apparently now closed  (: . Instead, the tearooms at Bolton Abbey  are suggested, where the  cake is superb. Accommodation is all around is various Dales B&Bs, but nearby Skipton provides the best options.

Character

A great summers evening ride. This route takes in the best bits of Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, some great Yorkshire Dales views and back through a wood known as Storiths. Back to the Cavendish Pavillion where you can either have a pot of tea, chill with an ice cream or cool your legs in the river. Loads of parking at the Cavendish but take some change as you’ll have to pay during the warmer months. You can make this route longer by travelling through Burnsall and into Threshfield/Grassington and then heading back on the B6265.

Route

1. Park up at the Cavendish Pavillion car park, which is situated just beyond Bolton Abbey village on the right. Pay on the way down. This provides a great area to park and to use the facilities. Check bike and kit and set off up the lane which you’ve just come down.

2. At the junction turn right and continue along towards Barden Tower.

3. At Barden Tower (which is a good photo spot) continue straight on the lane towards Burnsall

4. The B6160 will bring you out at Burnsall which again is a perfect Yorkshire Dales village and you could spend some time there or bat straight on. Cross over the bridge (straight on for Threshfield on the longer route)

5. Take your next left turn onto Hartlington Raikes and continue climbing up the hill.

6. You will climb up to the B6265 and turn right at the junction.

7. Continue along this main road until you see the junction for Appletreewick on your right. The lane is marked New Road and is a downhill section.

8. This is fast decent and worthy of some speed however be careful of both cars and cows. They seem to pop out from nowhere and trust me the farmer uses language like I’ve never heard.

9. Some great tight bends and you will come to a junction but continue towards Appletreewick on Hazier Lane.

10. Take the next left onto Stangs Lane which is another drop down. This will bring you out above Barden Tower on the other side of the River Wharfe.

11. Continue left and don’t be tempted to drop down to Barden.

12. You are now on Storiths Lane and will be riding along a tree lined lane. Word of warning – this is a tight lane in places and cars do tend to fly along so be careful of muddy verges. Don’t want to end up in a bush or worse a tree.

13. Storiths lane has a wide and very obvious right turn down the wooden bridge over the river Wharfe which brings you nicely back to the front door of the Cavendish Pavilion and the facilities.
Have an ice cream as you’ve earned it.

Sedbergh to Dent Loop

Route Information

Stats: 18 miles and  rolling

OS Map:

Refreshments

Sedbergh is a great little town with ample tea shops and Inns. It is famous for the old school, which Will Carling once attended, and its bookshops. A short distance away is Howgills Bunk Barn, for the more budget conscious.

For refreshments along the way, Dent cannot be beaten – besides, it has a wealth of pubs brewing their own ales!

http://www.howgillsbunkbarn.co.uk/

Character

This is a great route with stunning valley views and the Yorkshire Dales village of Dent to take in enroute. There are plenty of get out opportunities if you’re not feeling great or the weather closes in. This is also a route which Road, Mountain or Hybrid bikes can be used with ease. It is also very much a family route using dent as your objective.

Route

1. Bike and kit check at the car park making sure you have spares and the correct safety equipment. Ride out onto Loftus Hill towards Millthrop village

2. At Milford go over the river, cornering right through the village.

3. Continue through the village and stay on the main road always bearing left.

4. The road turns into Moser Hill brow and has the valley bottom with river on your right with spectacular views. Continue on the steady climb east

5. If you don’t feel like the full route on your right you will see Mill lane and the bridge over the river. Apart from turning round this is the first chance to cross the river and loop back round into Sedbergh.

6.The lovely lane continues and turns into Hall Lane and drops to the river side and then follows the river into Cowgill. Take the right in the very small village and over the bridge.

7. You are now on the return leg of the route and heading towards Dent village.

8. At Dent take a well-earned break. This is lovely village, quiet through the winter but becomes a tourist hot spot through the spring and summer so good advice would be to set off late or early and get the best out of the village.

9. The centre of the village has cobbled streets which you will need to pass over so a good time to walk through the village. Pass the car park on the right and continue west out of the village.

10. Continue along the main road and into the next village of Gawthrop (just before you have the opportunity to turn right and continue back to Sedbergh on the lane previously used).

11. The lane narrows slightly as you pass moor on your left. Continue along this lane until you reach a high point with a junction in the road. Take the right lane and drop back down over the river into Milthorpe and retrace your steps back into Sedbergh and back to the car park from where you started.

Sedbergh has maintained its ancient charms and should be explored if you have time. It has a wealth of small book shops to search through, with good cafes for tea and cake afterwards.