Moved to Newcastle....Now what??

fuzzynavel

Hi All.....the search for gainful employment has taken me from Edinburgh (home) down to Whitley bay for 5 days per week....now I'm looking for somewhere to ride but it all appears very flat around here.

Where can I find some decent hills?

Can any locals help? are there any midweek club runs that I can do?

Cheers for any help.

LegendLust

If you head in the general direction of Kielder Forest you'll start hitting lumpy bits! Be warned, it's tough riding in Northumberland

dave27

Some hilly areas around Stanley, Consett, Derwent Reservoir, Chopwell etc. that's we're I do most of my riding. It's fairly flat towards the coast. NCN 72 will bring you into Newcastle, without hassle of some major roads and you could head out from there.

shieldsman

I live in Whitley Bay and go out for evening road rides sometimes. It is flat as we're on the coast but you don't have to go far inland to find some inclines. PM me if you fancy taking a spin out one evening.

smidsy

Go west of the a1 and it gets lumpy quite quickly

mosa

Just head over Ponteland/Morpeth way

mattbass789

I went to uni in newcastle, there was an active club there when I left.
Head out north west of the city, through dinnington towards berwick hill then you're in great country. around Ogle, Twizzel and Cock Hill. I'm not making this up... Loads of great routes you can do round there, through to morpeth, rothbury and scots gap, or Dyke Neuk if you're really going for it.

bobbydazzla

It amazing cycling country round here, some of the best in the UK - country roads, loads of hills, barely any cars, plenty of other cyclists knocking about either in clubs or informal groups.

You just need to head inland from Whitley Bay, get past the outskirts of Newcastle and start exploring. Check out the Virgin Money Cyclone route too, that might give you some initial ideas for where to go.

feelgoodlost

Head up to Stamfordham and out to the Ryals. There's roads that go on and on up that way. A lot of it is flat but if you fancy a challenge, the Ryals is where it's at.

durhamwasp

Theres some fantastic climbs in the area, Northumberland, Weardale (Durham) and North Pennines

dg74

Find The Ryals then ride them. Then ride them again. Then puke. Then head for Matfen to the coffee shop and smile as you have their home made Millionaires Shortbread and sweet tea.

bennett_346

The forests around beamish museum (south west of gateshead) have some classic roads around them.

amaferanga

Northumberland and the Scottish Borders is as about as good as it gets in the UK for cycling. Plenty of hills and loads of lovely quiet roads. A bit like the Peak District, but with about 90% less traffic. Head towards Bellingham or Rothbury or Consett for some great riding. Bit far for an evening ride, but for your longer rides at the weekend you're spoilt for choice.

fuzzynavel

Thanks for all the great replies....I may actually bring my bike back down next Sunday....the weather is supposed to be getting better...I looked on Strava and there weren't that many routes on there....feeling happier with the move now...cheers

LegendLust

fuzzynavel wrote:

Thanks for all the great replies....I may actually bring my bike back down next Sunday....the weather is supposed to be getting better...I looked on Strava and there weren't that many routes on there....feeling happier with the move now...cheers

Here's one for ya

http://www.strava.com/activities/412633 ... 0xNzUxMjcz

fuzzynavel

LegendLust wrote:

fuzzynavel wrote:

Thanks for all the great replies....I may actually bring my bike back down next Sunday....the weather is supposed to be getting better...I looked on Strava and there weren't that many routes on there....feeling happier with the move now...cheers

Here's one for ya

http://www.strava.com/activities/412633 ... 0xNzUxMjcz

Lol...141km and a little bit lumpy....I like.....perhaps a little long for an after work ride in the evening but I can see plenty of roads where I could take shortcuts if I wanted to cut it down to 3 hours....

Thanks

trek_dan

If your on Facebook join the group 'North Tyneside Riders' their are a few lads who work shifts and go out weekday evenings/late afternoons etc. A lot of us live around the coast area. I suspect once you see the riding terrirtory up Northumberland you may want to delay going home for the weekend until after the Saturday morning ride

fuzzynavel

trek_dan wrote:

If your on Facebook join the group 'North Tyneside Riders' their are a few lads who work shifts and go out weekday evenings/late afternoons etc. A lot of us live around the coast area. I suspect once you see the riding terrirtory up Northumberland you may want to delay going home for the weekend until after the Saturday morning ride

Thanks Dan,

will have a look...Don't think the wife would be too chuffed if I delayed my return home though!

fuzzynavel

Brought the bike down and it's been f***ing snowing!!! maybe I will just stay in and tune the gears etc this evening!

passout

Buy some thermals & head out to Rothbury. Used to live around there, it's alright.