Northumberland - River Coquet road info

Brian B

Was wondering if any with local knowledge could give me info on the area around Alwinton and Northumbeland in general.

Is the road that runs up along the Coquet okay for road bikes as google view suggests it is and if so could somebody give me a hundred mile(or more) circular route that would take in this road and other quiets roads(and hilly is possible). I know I am asking a lot but looks a good place to cycle.

I have done the Wiggle Northern Angel before and was also wondering if there is a 100 mile hilly and quiet roads say starting from Otterburn.

Would like any other options also as I would really like to build up some knowledge of this area as I know virtually every road around the Scottish borders and in Cumbria

bobbydazzla

Have a look at the routes for the Wooler Wheel and Virgin Money Cyclone, both go into north Northumberland and will give you some ideas.

feelgoodlost

I think if you cycle up to Rothbury via Scots Gap/Forestburn Gate etc and then come into Rothbury, across the bridge and back out towards Thropton that's probably your best route, depending on where you're coming from. The Cyclone turns up at the pub on the right hand side (can't remember it's name) but if you stay on the road and go over the bridge you head towards Thropton/Alwinton. I think you're probably starting to head quite far out by this point and I wouldn't personally know which way to head from Alwinton in order to start your return trip.

Not sure this helps with your question! My girlfriend's parents live in Rothbury and I'm going to start taking my bike up there in the summer and head out towards Thropton etc. It really is a great place to cycle. Can't say the roads are perfect though!

Brian B

Thanks lads

markhewitt1978

Around that area I've been looking at this road http://goo.gl/maps/h5D5b as somewhere I'd really like to go for a ride this summer. Has anyone done it and is it possible to do a round trip on it on a road bike or is it a dead end?

feelgoodlost

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Around that area I've been looking at this road http://goo.gl/maps/h5D5b as somewhere I'd really like to go for a ride this summer. Has anyone done it and is it possible to do a round trip on it on a road bike or is it a dead end?

Looks great up there. You could more than likely make that a circular route back down and round into Rothbury. Might take a bit of exploring though! My plan was definitely to head up from Rothbury then try and head up to Low Alwinton and maybe just head along the river Coquet on the road you've posted.

markhewitt1978

http://goo.gl/maps/eSr40 this is as far as the Google car goes, but there's a sign saying what I don't know, but the tarmac continues at least for a while.

But this map suggests not much further http://binged.it/1em03JV

But that map shows that the contining road is "Bamel's Path" which I've found this picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesgiant ... 971123690/

markhewitt1978

I've done some more digging and found this, looks good

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... ess_lr.pdf
more info
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... lenge2.pdf

"This area of the Otterburn Ranges offers a variety of routes
across one of the remotest parts of Northumberland.The
military roads are best explored by road bike and
with some steep ascents you’ll need low gearss"

Just need to make sure that it's not being used for live firing before you go! Apparently this is only for a couple of days a month.

feelgoodlost

It all looks amazing! It's making me yearn for some warm weather and being able to bugger off into the countryside for the day :-)

neil.s

If you do go along the Coquet Valley make sure to stop at the cafe in Barrowburn.

The roads over the ranges are fantastic, really we'll surfaced. But check before going, as already mentioned, because of the live firing!
They don't fire during lambing season so that might be. A good time to go.

If heading up there and after a hilly route then head over to Elsdon, then Otterburn, then Bellingham. Plenty of ways back from there depending on where you are starting from?

I might be talked into a bit of guiding depending on when you're planning on coming? (I live in Morpeth). May's out for me though.

Brian B

Google roads don't show but Google satellite shows Tarmac all the way. Agreed that this road needs to be done in the better weather.

welsh_14

Neil.S wrote:

If you do go along the Coquet Valley make sure to stop at the cafe in Barrowburn.

The roads over the ranges are fantastic, really we'll surfaced. But check before going, as already mentioned, because of the live firing!
They don't fire during lambing season so that might be. A good time to go.

If heading up there and after a hilly route then head over to Elsdon, then Otterburn, then Bellingham. Plenty of ways back from there depending on where you are starting from?

I might be talked into a bit of guiding depending on when you're planning on coming? (I live in Morpeth). May's out for me though.

I second Barrowburn cake stop! Eunice makes the best cuppa and cake going, the full English is good as well! I mainly do mountain biking in the area, which is some of the best around (if you also ride MTB's) But was thinking of taking the road bike up that way this year.

Neil.S I'm also in Morpeth, do you do many routes from town? Looking for some new routes to ride. Been heading out to Netherwitton and up to Rothley Cross roads recently but if you know of any other good loops would be good to hear them.

neil.s

Hi welsh_14

There's loads of routes out of Morpeth, I usually do that run out to Rothley Crossroads via Netherwitton on a summers evening after work. Do you turn off at Netherwitton and go up The Trench or do you go through Netherwitton and onto Ritton Bank then out to Rothley?

Too much choice to suggest routes here but regularly head out to the Tyne Valley or out to Elsdon, Otterburn, Bellingham, Kielder. Out to Blanchland for a good 80 miler. Did a great ride out over the border via Carter Bar then back via Bonchester Bridge then in the back of Kielder and back (was 105 miles that one).

Too much choice!

wiffachip

The ranges open 15 April for at least a month during the lambing season. Can't wait

markhewitt1978

wiffachip wrote:

The ranges open 15 April for at least a month during the lambing season. Can't wait

They Chevy Chase Audax uses those roads http://northern-audax.org.uk/

markhewitt1978

It's open this weekend - 22nd-23rd March, pondering heading up for a ride.

Initialised

Hmmm... 50 miles out, 50ish back, tempting century.