A five day cycling trip which had a bit of everything. Some good cycle tracks, some sections on busy roads, coastal scenery and urban industrial grit.
Sunday afternoon, arrived in Berwick from the lodge via Kingussie and Edinburgh. This was by no means a certainty, the trains and transfer had an element of jeopardy. After a pint of shandy, I set out along the coastal track after a few miles it turns inland and I arrived at the campsite after two and half hours.
Day 2 – Monday morning I set off and immediately stopped in Bamburgh for coffee in view of the large castle. The track continues along the coast behind dunes. Stopped at Alnmouth at a rather good gallery and chatted to touring cyclists who recommended a guest house in Whitley Bay. So, I pressed on, knowing it would take four hours to get there. Apart from Blyth, which was a bit Industrial, another pleasant day and Whitley Bay is quite nice.
Day 3 starts in Tyne-mouth and a ferry crossing. Here I teamed up with Malcolm, and 80 year old local cyclist who led me through South Shields and Sunderland. A disused railway line propels you to Stockton on Tees. The next few hours were not entirely pleasant, but i don’t regret passing through Middlesbrough and Redcar. Slightly exhausted arrived Ship Inn and collapsed, 77 miles is a little too far.
Day 4 – Whitby and Scarborough. This promised to be a good day however, when the OS map App decided not to function and the first hour or so consisted of threading my way uphill through more urban sprawl I was feeling a toddler tantrum coming on. Then, the missing link…I had wondered why the route does not appear on the map for several miles before Whitby. The only option being the main road. After quickly moving through Whitby, everything gets better. The cinder track a dedicated section all the way to Scarborough- wonderful. I camped a short distance south of Scarborough.
Day 5 – Bridlington, a short distance away through the Wolds a scenic ride. Finished with a milk shake by the sea and heading for the station.
bobbikingabout.com 