Latest News

Updated 12 October 2021

The Big Bike Revival, I have been award a grant to deliver five more Dr Bike during November and December. Visit my dedicated Cycling UK page to find out more information.

Updated 8 January

The Big Bike Revival, I’ve made changes to two of my Dr Bike sessions. Please click here to find out more details.

Updated 7 December

The Big Bike Revival, phase 2 starts tomorrow at Swalwell FC, I have new posters for each of the three weekday venues, click here to see more.

Updated 2 December

The Big Bike Revival, I will be starting my second 10 week program on Tuesday 8 December.  There are changes to the days I’ll be at each venue, please visit the Cycling UK page for more details, click here.

In addition to the above I am also delivering Dr Bike sessions on Saturdays, at Pipebridge, Rowlands Gill, details of which can be found by clicking here.

Updated 27 October

The Big Bike Revival, I have been awarded a second Dr Bike grant, this will allow me to continue delivering the maintenance sessions through Christmas and on till the end of January. I will be changing the days I deliver the program and will provide more information as to where you can find me in the near future.

Updated 31 August

The Big Bike Revival, I’ve added more details to the dedicated page, please click here.

29 August 2020

Yorkshire Wolds Tour, I have written a short itinerary for this tour, click here to view the page.

General, With some helpful guidance I’ve been able to resolve the problems that were preventing me from maintaining this website and can now start refreshing the various pages.

I’ll add the various comments from the ‘temporary latest news’ page I created as a stop gap, see further below.

In the meantime, during lock-down I have managed to keep Cycle-Treks ticking over (just) and have recently been awarded a small grant, by Cycling UK, to help deliver part of their ‘Big Bike Revival’ in conjunction with the Department for Transport. I will be providing support in the way of free health checks on bikes to keep people cycling. I have agreed to be mobile and have identified four separate locations where I will be available during the duration of the ten week program. Details can be found on the dedicated UK Cycling page, this can be found in the main menu above, or by clicking here.

Temporary Latest News posts (italics),

Updated 1 March,

Tours, participants added to the Wooler Tour, visit the page, Milan restaurant booked for Thursday night, menu available on restaurant website (link provided).

Weekend Rides, I’ve published details for three rides in March, these are programmed for Saturday 7, 14 and 28. The ride on 7 March is the cancelled route from February 22.

Updated 19 February, details for the ride this weekend added, a trip to Ryhope and the Victorian pumping station museum.

Updated 9 February, I’ve added a ‘provisional’ itinerary for each of this years tours, visit the main tours page ‘Tours 2020’ to find the links.

Updated 27 January, details published for the weekend ride, 8 February, a trip to Rainton Meadows, Finchale Abbey and Hetton Lyons Country Park. Please visit the Weekend Rides page to find out more.

Updated 8 January, to print a copy of the Moroccan Tagine and Couscous recipe, visit the Weekend Ride page.

Updated 4 January, Weekend ride dates added for January & February.

Updated 23 December, Christmas Ride, Monday 30 December. I’ve added a map detailing the location of Tyne United Rowing Club (TURC), click here to view the page.

Updated 17 December, dates added for all tours today. I’ll be adding more information during the Christmas break, tour itinerary details etc.

Note, the exact date for the Sandstone Way is still to be confirmed.

Weekend Ride, details for our Christmas route now published.

Updated 5 December, the last week day ride of 2019 will take place on Wednesday 18 December, starting again on Monday 6 January. Note, the annual Christmas Holiday ride will take place on Monday 30 December.

Updated 4 December, details for the next weekend ride are now published, click here to visit the page.

General Note, recently I’ve had problems with updating and publishing items on the Latest News page. I’m opening this page to rectify this issue whilst retaining the old version as an archive (unfortunately I cannot edit the archive at all).

Updated 27 November

Tours for 2020, I’ve added headings for both short and longer tours in 2020 to the website. I will add more details as I firm things up during January and will share these with you at our annual get together late January. Click the links below to visit the pages,

For shorter tours click here.

For the longer tours click here.

Updated 3 November

Weekend Rides, dates now added for rides in November and December, includes the annual Christmas ride on Monday 30 December.

Updated 21 October

Weekend Ride, details for the next ride on Saturday 26 October are now available, click here to visit the page.

Updated 13 October

2019 Tours, all done and dusted for this year. I’ll be taking a break from tour planning for now, will start thinking about where and when for 2020 in mid November. In the meantime, I’ll be starting the weekend ride program later this month.

Northern Lakes Stats… click here.

Way of the Roses, stats and photographs… click here.

Updated 6 September

Way of the Roses Tour, more details added to the website, click here to see visit the page.

Updated 5 September

Way of the Roses Tour & Weekend Rides, I have updated the website to provide details for all the training rides for this tour. If you are not taking part on the tour you can join any of the rides, just let me know in advance which date(s) you are coming. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 27 August

Weekend Rides, details for the next ride are now published, click here to visit the page. The current program of Saturday rides will be replaced with four Way of the Roses training rides during September. Dates for these rides can be found here.

Way of the Roses, I have details for the first training ride, taking place on 7 September and visiting the hills in and around Lanchester. Click here to see more.

Updated 15 August

Weekend Rides, I’ve published details for the next ride (Saturday 17 August), please bring along a packed lunch. Click here to visit the page.

Way of the Roses Tour, web page updated for this tour, click here.

Updated 20 July

Weekend Rides, I’ve altered the ride planned for 3 August to be Seaton Sluice (was Lanchester) and rearranged the Lanchester ride to take place on Saturday 17 August. Click here for the detail.

Updated 17 July

Isle of Man Tour, after some minor technical problems the train travel details are now published, click here to visit the page.

Updated 15 July

Northern Lakes Tour, more detail added to the tour page, including the addition of Kate and Henry to the trip. Click here to visit the page.

WotR Tour, accommodation and meals information now added to the website page, click here to view it.

Updated 5 July

Isle of Man Tour, I’ve recently added a few more details to the pages associated with this tour. Click here to visit the Liverpool page and here for the Isle of Man. Pannier bags and bikes next, I’ve added dates and times to the tour page, click here to view these.

Weekend Ride, the next ride takes place on Saturday 13 July. Meeting at The Cycle Hub, Newcastle Quayside. For fuller details please click here.

Updated 28 June

Weekend Ride, due to a fault with my van I’ve been forced to change the start venue for this ride, click here to visit the page.

Updated 19 June

Weekend Ride, I’ve published details for Saturday 29 June and provided more than a hint of where I’m headed the following week. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 15 June

Way of the Roses Tour, I’ve updated the dedicated page to reflect the new dates for the tour and also for the four training rides. Click here to visit the page.

Isle of Man Tour, details for the train and ferry journeys can be found by visiting the tour page… click here for the direct link.

Updated 13 June

 

Consett Cycle Festival 2019, this event takes place on Sunday 23 June as part of the ‘Televised British Cycling Tour of Derwent Reservoir’. There’s a lot happening, not all of which is focused on cycling, including bands, kids stuff, community groups. Whilst I’m not participating in the cycle race I do have a presence in the ‘Community Marquee’ in an effort to recruit a few more local cyclists. The town centre will be closed, the start and finish of the race is located on Consett Front Street, the ‘Community Marquee’ and band stage are located in the car park behind ‘Middle Street’. I’ll be there for the full 9 hours, so why not pop along and say hello?

Updated 2 June

Weekend Rides, details for the next ride (Saturday 8 June) are now available, it includes a new lunch destination. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 11 May

Loch Ness Tour, photographs added today, more to follow. Click here to see them.

Updated 3 May

Loch Ness Tour, I’ve written an itinerary specifically for Geoff to work with, it includes more detail which may be of interest to the wider group. Click on this link to see a copy… Loch Ness Tour Geoff Notes.

Updated 18 April

Loch Ness Tour, details of yesterdays meeting added to the tour page, click here to view them.

Updated 15 April

Wooler Tour, a selection of photographs added today, with more to follow soon, click here to view them.

Updated 28 March

Loch Ness Tour, details for the two meals in Inverness have been added to the dedicated webpage, click here to view it.

Updated 24 March

Loch Ness Tour, rail tickets now booked, resulting in a change to the outward journey on Monday 6 May, I have created a MSWord document that details the various train times and seat reservations. Click here to visit the webpage or here to see the MSWord document…. ( Train Times at 24032019 ).

Updated 15 March

Loch Ness Tour, I’ve added train times and also details for our evening meal in Fort Augustus. Visit the webpage to view the details, click here.

Updated 11 March

Wooler Tour, client feedback indicates some people are having issues accessing the restaurant menu, I’ve added a direct link to the Milan Restaurant website, click here.

Updated 7 March

General, there have been issues with accessing the website this morning. These have been partially resolved via a ‘fix’ to the home page, with the result that the home page is not behaving quite as intended. This will be resolved sometime in the near future, fingers crossed. However, the site is working well enough to allow access to most information.

Updated 2 March

Wooler Tour, I’ve added a menu for The Milan Italian Restaurant to the tour webpage, we will be eating there on Thursday evening, click here to visit the page.

Updated 27 February

Tours, I’ve added dates for The Way of the Roses Tour and a very sketchy itineray, I promise to add more details soon. Click here to view the webpage. The Way of the Roses training schedule and dates (August) will be published during March.

The dates for the annual trip to The Lakes are now published, click here to visit the page.

General, I’ve put together a MSWord document detailing this year ‘No-Ride’ dates. Screenshot below, or you can click here to print a hard copy… No Rides Dates 27 February 2019 .

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Updated 17 February

Weekend Rides, route published for yesterdays ride along with details of the next outing, Saturday 2 March. Click here for the webpage.

Updated 2 February

General, having taken a long break from working on the website to concentrate on Tours for 2019, I can now restart publishing again.

Tours for 2019, I’ve started to update the tour pages. There has been a major change to the tour itinerary, with the Pennine Cycle Way (South) being replaced with a trip to the Isle of Man and Liverpool. The details I’ve published are incomplete at this time, I will add more as soon as I can. The Way of the Roses and Northern Lakes tours are still very much ‘work in progress’, but I’m aiming for mid September for the WOTR and early October for NL. Click here to visit the webpage.

Weekend Rides, the weather has impacted here, if there is any improvement I hope to resume these on Saturday 9 February with a trip to see Denise at RaggyHeirlooms.

Updated 22 December

General, I’ve started reworking the website to reflect the various tours being offered in 2019, as yet there are no details to share, these will be added as and when I have information to share.

Thursday 3 January, I have access to Tyne United Rowing Club for lunch (homemade soup and freshly baked bread). Currently I have eleven people coming on the day, I anticipate a few more will be joining. Detail for this ride can be found at the Weekend Rides ‘Next Ride’ page.

Updated 3 December

Weekend Ride, despite the dreadful weather we had a rewarding ride, a warm welcome and good lunch at Garesfield Golf Club helped sustain us for the return leg back to Newburn. There are a few photographs, click here to see them.

Soggy Cyclists

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Updated 30 November

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Weekend Rides, I’ve complete a route recce for the Saturday 8 December ride, with Alan leading the way. Have also booked us in for lunch at The Cheese Company, click here to see a few photographs (mainly of the Speciality Cheese counters).

Updated 29 November

General Information, the final weekday ride before Christmas will take place on Wednesday 19 December (Winlaton), rides will start again on Monday 7 January (Temple Park).

Multi-Day Tours for 2019, I’m starting the planning process with a view to organising a ‘get together’ in late January. Current thoughts are for three new routes, these being a trip to the Isle of ManThe Pennine Cycle Way (South) and The Way of the Roses. In addition there will be the usual two shorter trips to Northumberland and the Lake District in the spring and autumn.

Website, I’ll be starting to dismantle the areas concerned with multi-day tours for 2018, and rebuilding for 2019 as and when I have more information to share. This will be a slow process, initially.

Weekend Rides, I’ve amended the item immediately below to correct the ‘missing link’ error.

Updated 19 November

Weekend Rides, I’ve added details for the next three routes, Saturday 1 & 8 December and Thursday 3 January, click here to visit the page.

Here are a couple of additional items connected with last Saturdays Sculpture Trail…

a) a MSWord document containing various links to the Chris Brammall website… Chris Brammall Links

b) a PDF document with details of Charmian’s commentary… Background information on Chris Brammall

Updated 18 November

Little Haven Eye2

Weekend Rides, following yesterdays sculpture trail ride, I’ve added a selection of photographs and will provide a summary of the information Charmian shared with us just as soon as it becomes available. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 2 November

WWL 2018 (1 of 1)-9

Weekday Rides, I’ve added photographs taken during our trip to Barnes Park to recce out the Old Coachhouse Cafe. Click here to view them.

Updated 21 October

Moorside

Weekend Rides, I’ve added photographs and the route from yesterdays ride and details for the one in South Tyneside and Sunderland… click here to visit the page.

Updated 8 October

White Monk

Weekend Ride Update, I’ve added details for the next ride, starting in Ebchester and heading to the White Monk in Blanchland for lunch.

Updated 3 October

Weekend Ride, note the date has changed for this weeks ride, we are now meeting on Friday 5 October, the start venue, time and route remain unchanged. Click here to visit the page.

Northern Lakes Tour, I’ve added further photographs to the dedicated web page, click here to view them. The photograph below has been stored at its original high definition quality, click on it to identify the mysterious cyclists.

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Updated 29 September

Keswick YHA

 

Northern Lakes Tour, thank you for sharing your photographs, there are still more to come. I have published what I have, click here to view them and also the stats for each of the routes.

Updated 23 September

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Weekend Rides, I’ve published dates and details for five weekends. Including a new route taking in a number of Chris Brammalls sculptures. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 19 September

Herby Rice

Rothesay Ribolita Soup Starter & Herby Rice with Halloumi Cheese Main Course, click here for the recipes… Herby Rice & Ribollita Recipes.

Updated 18 September

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Isle of Bute, lots more photographs added today… click here to see the latest additions.

Updated 15 September

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Isle of Bute Photographs, this morning I’ve added a small selection taken with my iPhone. As more become available I’ll post them as they arrive. In the meantime, click here to view the page.

Updated 13 September

Bute Island Tour, the dedicated webpage is now being updated with details and photographs. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 2 September

Bute Island Tour, I have updated the dedicated web page for this tour to included two suggestions for trips on Wednesday and Thursday. Click here to go to the page.

Updated 31 August

bike van

Isle of Bute Tour, I’ve added more details today. These include bag and bike collection instructions… click here. Also, we’re using two restaurants in Rothesay, both have asked me to supply meal choices in advance of our arrival, well in advance. I’ll need your choices as soon as possible, preferably by Wednesday 5 September. Please take a look at each menu and text your choices to me, click here to find the menus.

Updated 28 August

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Weekday Rides, a visit to the new River Wear crossing, the Northern Spire Bridge and photographs from the Groyne at Southshields earlier this month. Click here.

Updated 17 August

Isle of Bute Tour, I’ve at last updated the webpage to include Ilene, here are a further two things to share…

a) I will be taking the train to Glasgow (and the Friday return), as such I’ll be there to guide the group through the streets to the bike rendezvous point (just a 25 minute walk away).

b) I am going to modify the interior of the van in an effort to give some extra storage space. If successful, this will mean that your bags and cases will be collected and stored before our departure on Monday 10 September. I will be in touch with you to arrange collection times and venues soon.

Updated 4 August

Isle of Bute Tour, I’ve added a little more detail to the itinerary for this tour, mostly dealing with routes, distances and times (updates are in green text). Click here to go to the tour page.

Northern Lakes Tour, I have now booked and paid for the accommodation, and on this occasion I have managed to secure ‘en-suite’ rooms for everyone. Our evening meal, 2 courses, will follow the tried and trusted ‘slo-cooker’ format, with a vegetarian option available.

Updated 26 July

Walney to Wear Tour, more photographs added this morning, click here to view them.

Updated 22 July

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Some say, mostly Henry, it’s definitely Griff Rhys Jones, probably taken during his shepherd days on the moors above Kirkby Stephen.

W2W Tour, day 4 details added today, click here to see them.

Updated 21 July

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Walney to Wear Tour, I’ve started adding bits and bobs relating to this tour, click here to view the latest additions.

Updated 14 July

Walney to Wear Tour, we will be eating at the Black Bull Hotel in Kirkby Stephen on Saturday evening. It is a busy night and as such we’ve been asked to pre-order our food, I have a copy of the pubs menu for you to look through, please click here to see it… Black Bull Menu. Can you text me your choices as soon as it’s convenient, thank you.

Walney to Wear Tour, attention all those on this tour who are travelling from the North East, we will be meeting at the MacDonalds Restaurant, Metro Retail Park with a view to leaving at 06:30 hours. The journey to Barrow takes approximately 3 1/2 hours, there will be a comfort break at Tebay (South), with time to have a coffee/ tea too.

Updated 8 July

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PCW(N) Tour, I’ve posted a large selection of photographs today, if you have any more to share, please send them to me. In the meantime, click here to view the tour page.

Updated 27 June

PCW(N) Tour, regarding Bellingham meal choices… I now have replies from almost all of you. Please check my updated document for accuracy and secondly to remind you of what you’ve ordered… (Cheviot Choices PCWN Rev1).

Updated 26 June

PCW(N) Tour, I’ve added details for the evening meals in Alston, Bellingham and Wooler. Please follow the instructions for Bellingham (The Cheviot Hotel) and let me have your choices as quickly as possible. Click here to go straight to the page.

Updated 24 June

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PCW(N) Tour, final training ride completed, click here for todays stats and photographs.

PCW(N) Tour, food choices, the results of the tour cake vote are now available, and the winners are…

a) Carrot Cake (11 votes)

b) Date & Banana Cake (11 votes)

c) Lemon Drizzle Cake (9 votes)

and in last place, Spit & Polish ( 1 vote)

Updated 23 June

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PCW(N) Tour, training ride number 2 photographs and route now published, click here to visit the page.

Updated 17 June

PCW(N) Tour, photographs and stats from yesterdays ride are published, click here to view them.

‘No Ride Dates’, I’ve updated the list today, some dates have been removed (mostly August) and new dates added (July & September). Click on the link to see a copy of the updated document… No Rides Dates 17June18.

Updated 10 June

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Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tour, I’ve added more details today. These include train departure times for the final day and the outcome of the final recce of Wark Forrest, a five mile off road section on the afternoon of day two of the tour. Click here to read more.

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Weekend Ride, photographs and the route from yesterdays ride have been published, click here to see them.

Updated 7 June

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Weekend Ride, Saturday 9 June, touring South Tyneside. I have made arrangements for a vegetarian friendly soup to be available at Souter Lighthouse. Click here to find out more.

Isle of Bute Tour, I have added more details to the dedicated web page, including train timings. Whilst the timings for Monday are fixed, there is some scope to change our ferry departure time at Rothesay in order to have more time in Glasgow (if this is attractive). Click here to visit the page.

Norther Lakes Tour, the details for this tour are now published, click here to find out more.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I have published a statement that addresses this item of legislation. Please click here to review it.

Updated 31 May

Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tour, details for all three of the bespoke training rides are now finalised. Please click here to find out more.

Updated 27 May

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Weekend Rides, I’ve published details for the next ride, Saturday 9 June, and also photographs taken during yesterdays Consett ride. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 19 May

Weekend Ride, details are now available for the next weekend ride, Saturday 26 May. The route explores the area around Consett, Beamish and Derwentside. Click here for further details.

Updated 15 May

Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tour, I have added more details to the dedicated pages, including dates for the training rides, click here to find out more.

Walney to Wear Tour, I’ve put together a provisional itinerary for this tour. I’m still working on finalising food and accommodation, but it is looking like there will be two positive changes to last years tour, a night in Ulverston (rather than Barrow) and a different venue in Kirkby Stephen. Click here to see more information.

Updated 13 May

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Weekend Ride, I have published the photographs from yesterdays ride and added details for the next ride, Saturday 19 May, for those of us needing a few more hours in the saddle. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 8 May

Weekend Ride, following the trip to Berwick and Lindisfarne, it’s clear that a few more longer days in the saddle are required. So, the weekend program will restart sooner than planned with a gentle ride to one of our favourite lunch stops, Raggyheirlooms at Dissington. Click here for ride details.

Updated 5 May

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Berwick & Lindisfarne Tour, today I have published the photographs forwarded to me, if you have any more to share please ‘WhatsApp’ them to me. Click here to view what’s currently available.

Updated 1 May

Berwick & Lindisfarne Tour, just in case I am delayed and cannot meet the group at Berwick railway station, here’s a map detailing the walking route to Berwick Youth Hostel. I’m providing this on a ‘just in case’ basis, as I fully intend to meet you as you leave the train station.

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Updated 30 April

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Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tour, having completed the majority of the recce for this tour on Saturday, I have updated the associated webpage to reflect my findings. Click here to see this information.

Updated 15 April

Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tour 1, I’ve added the participants list to the web page, click here.

Exploring the Isle of Bute Tour, I’ve started putting the itinerary together for our autumn trip to Bute, a brief overview can be viewed here.

 

Updated 4 April

Berwick & Lindisfarne Tour, attention anyone coming on this tour… I’ll be designing the choices for both Wednesday and Thursday evening meals. Can you let me know if you have any specialist dietary requirements, vegetarian, lactose intolerant etc. and I’ll incorporate these into my menu. Please send any messages after Saturday 21 April, I’ll be back home then.

Gourmet Food IMG_0314

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Updated 2 April

Paul Session N&A TCCT

Weekday Rides, it’s great to see the Monday sessions are taking place while I’m away, I can only hope the weather in North East England improves for the next ride, Monday 9 April. Thank you to Paul for helping make this happen (the rides that is and not the appalling weather). Here’s a bunch of happy cyclists, Neil & Anne

Updated 14 March

Weekend Ride, Saturday 17 March, In order to reduce the mileage and physical effort I have changed the original route and start venue. We are now taking a more direct (shorter) route to Blanchland, fewer hills and miles. Please click here to see the details.

Pennine Cycleway (North) Tour, I’ve added a little more detail to the web page today, more to follow once I’ve completed the full route recce (during May). Click here to go to the page.

Updated 11 March

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Weekend Ride, photographs taken during the Druridge to Alnmouth ride on Saturday have now been added to the website, also I’ve published details for the Saturday ride to Blanchland, click here to view them.

Updated 9 March

Tours 2018, it has been really tough getting the accommodation sorted for some of this years tours, with the recent bad weather, rural weddings and a general lack of rooms all contributing to the uncertainty. I have now completed the trip to Berwick/ Lindisfarne, early May. However, I am still working through the first of the Pennine Cycle Way (North) Tours (June) and hope to be in a position to publish something concrete on the website very soon.

To see the Berwick Tour details… click here.

Updated 14 February

Weekend Rides, details for the next ride are now published, taking place on Saturday 10 March. Click here to visit the page.

General, work to update this website continues. Details for the multi-day tours is now being added.

Updated 13 February

Tours 2018, I have started to dismantle and replace the 2017 tour pages, rebuilding these will take me a few days. Some of the information on these pages will not be valid or will be confusing during this work. I will announce when everything is in place just as soon as I’ve finished. Neil

Updated 7 February

Weekend Ride, the details for the next ride are now published, Rainton Meadows Country Park, please click here to view them.

Updated 1 February

Weekend Rides, I have added dates and destinations for three rides taking place during February and March. Details will be added soon, in the meantime please click here to see those dates.

A few clues to where the next rides are heading …

raggy-heirlooms Rainton-Meadows Alnmouth Blanchland Village

Updated 29 January

Weekend Ride, details for the next weekend ride, a visit to Raggy Heirlooms on Saturday 3 February, are now available, click here to get more information.

Updated 28 January

Tours 2018, here’s a ‘lite’ copy of the presentation I gave today (a Powerpoint document)…   2018 Tours Presentation Lite .

Weekend Rides, I’ve added a few photographs and Henrys Garmin Stats to the ‘Next Ride Details’ webpage. Click here to view them.

Next Weekend Ride

Cycle-Treks ‘No Ride Dates’ 2018, these are applicable to cyclists who ride with me on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and at weekends. Click here for a printable copy to put on the fridge door… No Ride Dates 2018

Updated 13 January

Weekend Ride, having completed a full recce of the route with Alan and Gary, I have published details for the first weekend ride of 2018. It’s further afield than normal, taking in Druridge Bay Country Park, the towns of Warkworth and Amble and also countryside to the west of the coast. Please click here to see the details.

Updated 10 January

Druridge Bay

Weekend Rides, a new year and a new route for you. On Saturday 27 January we will be exploring the coast and countryside in and around Druridge Bay, Amble and Warkworth. I will be researching the area with Alan (Loftus) this coming Friday and publishing the details at the weekend.

Updated 20 December

General News, following a 6 week break from updating the website I have now returned to its maintenance and can share a number of events, confirm various dates  and some  important information with you all. Please read the items below…

Christmas Holidays, two pieces of information follow…

First, commencing Thursday 21 December, the week-day cycling  program will take a two week break. Daily sessions will return to normal on Monday 8 January, weather permitting.

Second, on Friday 29 December I will be organising a full day Christmas Ride. Incorporating a lunch break (soup etc.) the details of the route, choice of cafe etc. will depend on group size, I’ll be in touch with you shortly.

Annual ‘Get-Together’, I will be holding this on Sunday 28 January. The venue will be Ebchester Village Hall and we will follow the same format for food and my sharing what is proposed for 2018 in terms of the Cycle Tours, with maybe 2 or 3 new ideas/ routes on offer. I will firm up times and who needs to do what in terms of food during the Christmas break.

Website House Keeping, during the Christmas period I will be remodelling the website, removing pages, photographs and other such information. If you have not saved your favourite photographs, please do so now before they disappear for ever.

Finally, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Updated 4 November

General News, after a period of uncertainty and missed days before the arrival of our first grandchild Bonnie May, Monday 6 November will see a return to the normal routine in terms of week-day rides and shortly I’ll be publishing a list of dates for the restart of weekends destinations too.

Can I take the opportunity to thank each and everyone, and there are so many of you, for your kindness and generosity in celebrating the birth of Bonnie May. Your cards and gifts were an unexpected delight, all contributing to an already very happy occasion. Thank you from Neil, Anne, Rachael and Tom.

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Finally, tours in 2018… I’m thinking of swaping the Kielder trip for a 3 day Berwick/ Holy Island excursion instead, that’s about as far as I’ve got. I’ll give it more thought during the next couple of weeks, which will include ‘The Way of the Roses’ or another ‘new destination’ for 2018.

Updated Sunday 15 October

Ladybird Grandparents

General News Update, I’ll be touch with you all (via text) later today as to what will be happening to this weeks cycling schedule. In the meantime… baby Bonnie May arrived at 06:30 (give or take a minute) this morning. Rachael had a very straightforward, conventional labour, arriving in the delivery suite at 3 o’clock (am) and requiring just 1/2 a paracetamol tablet and a few chugs of ‘air & gas’. Bonnie, Rachael & Tom are in great spirits as are me, Anne, Matthew et al.

Updated 7 October

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Northern Lakes Tour, I’ve added a selection of photographs to the dedicated web page, click here to see them.

Updated 30 September

Northern Lakes Tour, Keswick YHA have been in touch this morning, providing some information about the hostel and asking for our choices for Thursday evenings meal, which I’ll need to get back to them asap, please click here to visit the tour page.

Updated 28 September

5 Ferries Tour, Pete’s day out on Arran photographs added today, click here to see where he went and what he saw.

Updated 25 September

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Northern Lakes Tour, today I have added the itinerary for this tour, click here to visit the page.

Updated 23 September

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5 Ferries Tour 2, I’ve added photographs this morning, with more to come soon. Click here to see them.

Updated 17 September

Week Day Rides, I have made some changes to my ‘No Rides Dates’ document for 2017, adding some new dates and removing others. Click here to see the revisions… No Ride Dates 2017

Updated 13 September

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5 Ferries 1 Tour, I’ve added the final selection of photographs tonight. Click here to view them.

Updated 12 September

9.9.17 Five Ferries 061

5 Ferries Tour 1, I’ve added photographs taken by various people on the first and second days of the tour, click here to see them.

5 Ferries Tour 2, I have e-mailed our meal selections for our final night, a meal at the Stags Pavilion. Here’s a summary of what you ordered…. Stags Pavilion Menu Choices – 5 Ferries 2

Updated 10 September

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5 Ferries Tour 1, a small selection of photographs have been added to the website this morning, click here to view them. More to come soon.

Updated 27 August

The 5 Ferries 1 Tour, I have deliberated over what the menu for our third night (Lochranza, Arran) should be, it needs to suit all tastes and as such I’ve decided on a two course meal with a side order/ snack option.

So, I’m planning for the starter to be Tuscan Tomato Soup with a main course of Mac n’ Cheese all served with a side of ‘Kitchen Sink Nachos’, with bread and salad(s). If this menu sounds ‘a bit adventurous’ and you’d prefer something ‘not so flavoursome’, let me know and I’ll do my best to recreate the ‘sensationally bland stew’ some of you experienced on the W2W recently.

Whisking up a pan of W2W Sensationally Bland Stew.

bland stew

Quickly moving on…

Also relating to Arran, for our final night we are dinning at The Stags Pavilion. This is an unlicensed restaurant, but the owners are more than happy for us to bring along our own drinks. They advise that there are a number of places to buy alcohol in Lochranza, these being The Scottish Youth Hostel, The Distillery Shop (open until 5pm) and finally The Lochranza Hotel has an off-licence selling a range of beers and wine.

Updated 26 August

21.8.17 W2W 246

Walney to Wear Tour, photographs added for days 1,2 & 3. More to follow soon.

Updated 24 August

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The 5 Ferries Tour 1, please take a look through the menu for The Stags Pavilion Restaurant (Arran) and send me your choices ( 2 – course option). Click here to visit the ‘Five Ferries’ page. Note: this is applicable to those people joining the first 5 Ferries Tour ( 4 to 8 September).

Updated 23 August

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Walney to Wear Tour, more and more photographs are being added through this week, click here to see them.

Updated 21 August

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Walney to Wear Tour, just published this very morning (mid tour)… a small selection of photographs, with many more to follow soon. Click here to visit the ‘W2W Tour’ page.

Updated 14 August

Walney to Wear Tour, I’ve created a map to detail exactly where this tour finishes, it’s Roker Pier in Sunderland. If you need a copy to share with whoever is collecting you and taking you home on Monday evening, click here to get a copy… Walney to Wear Tour 2017 Finish Point.

Updated 11 August

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Coast & Castles-USA Tour, I’ve added a pile of photographs to the tour page, click here to view them.

Updated 19 July

Walney to Wear Tour, details of the change in venue and route for the 4th and final training ride have now been finalised, along with photographs taken during last weekends ride. Click here to see these updates.

Updated 18 July

Coast & Castles – USA, I’ve added The Hermitage Inn menu to the ‘home page’ for this tour, we’ll be eating there on the final night of the tour. Click here to go to the page.

Updated 17 July

Holiday/ No Ride Dates, just a quick reminder as to which days will be ‘no ride’ days during the next 4 weeks, click here to get the print out ( No Ride Dates 2017 Rev1).

Updated 9 July

Walney to Wear Tour, photographs taken during yesterdays training ride have been published today, click here to view them.

Updated 4 July

5 Ferries Tour(s), I have re-written and published the itinerary for the two tours in September. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 25 June

5 Ferries Tour(s), the post tour recce meeting will take place this Thursday, 29 June. Venue will be The Cycle Hub, start time 9:45. I expect the meeting to last about an hour, please bring along a note pad.

Updated 18 June

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Scottish 5 Ferries Tours, photographs taken during last weeks 3 day recce have been published, click here to view them. An excellent route, full of remote scenery and the ferries add a real sense of fun to the tour. I will be putting together a short presentation to share the outcome(s) of our (me & Pete) trip, I’ll be contact to share a venue and date with all participants soon.

Updated 17 June

Reivers Tour, today I’ve added a large selection of photographs taken during the tour, with more to follow soon. In the meantime, click here to see them.

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Reivers & 5 Ferries Tours News…. this weekend I’ll be adding photographs taken during the recent Reivers Tour and also adding information about the 5 Ferries Recce which Pete (Blue Van Man) and I have just completed.

Updated 5 June

Reivers Tour, added today a few photographs from the fourth and final training ride, to see them click here.

Updated  4 June

Reivers Tour, photographs from the third training ride have now been published, click here to view them.

Updated 31 May

Reivers Tour, IMPORTANT NEWS…. the venue for the 4th and final training ride has changed, we are now meeting at Ebchester Village Hall ( was Consett FC). Please click on the link for directions to Ebchester Village Hall ( Reivers Tour Training Ride Number 4 ).

Updated 28 May

Reivers Tour, training ride number two photographs added this morning, click here.

Updated 20 May

Reivers Tour, photographs taken during todays training ride are now published, click here to see them.

Updated 18 May

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Coast & Castles (USA), this morning I’ve updated the dedicated tour page with information collected during our weekend recce (13 &14 May). Click here to visit the page.

Updated 6 May

Holidays etc… , I have updated the ‘Cycle-Treks No Ride Dates’ calendar today, the changes I’ve made are highlighted as ‘underlined’, these include those days associated with the two Scottish Islands Tours in September. Click here to get the updated sheet… No Ride Dates 2017 Rev1

Updated 5 May

Walney to Wear Tour, I have completed a recce of the route through Durham City today, finding some route closures caused by massive landslips on the banks of the river. Click here to see this latest update and a few photographs.

Updated 3 May

Abba

No more carefree laughter, Silence ever after, Walking through an empty house, Tears in my eyes, Here is where the story ends, This is goodbye…. is exactly how I do not feel today…. Benny & Bjorn!!

Swiftly moving on, can I just thank everyone and give you a big ‘thumbs up’ for your kind messages, texts, tweets and cards…. they are all delightful (except the kippers).

Neil

Updated 1 May

Clyde Riverside

Five Ferries Tour(s), I have purchased all of the train tickets for these tours and as such I now have the details to publish a fairly accurate tour itinerary. Please click here to find out more.

Updated 28 April

Walney to Wear Tour, we managed to call in and visit the former Methodist Church Hostel on our way to Liverpool today, I’ve added a small selection of photographs to the W2W page, click here to see them.

Updated 23 April

Weekend Rides, I’ve added a couple of photographs taken during the ride yesterday, click here to see them.

Coast & Castles (USA), this morning I’ve put together some training advice for this tour. Click here to visit the ‘Coast and Castles Training Page’.

Updated 22 April

Reivers Tour, I’ve added a brief itinerary today, please click here to visit the page.

Updated 18 April

Walney to Wear Tour, the updated training ride program is now available, click here to get your copy….  W2W Training Ride Program 2017R2.

Updated 16 April

Walney to Wear Tour, I’ve added a brief itinerary giving a flavour of what can be expected on this tour. Details such as times of departure and anticipated finish time at Roker will be added closer to the day of departure. Click here to see this information.

Please note, in order to reflect what’s been learned on the latest recce of the route, the training ride details will be changing for this tour, as we need more hills under our belts for day 1. The four dates already published remain unchanged.

Updated 15 April

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Walney to Wear (W2W) Tour, the recce for this tour was completed this Easter weekend, click here for an update and a small selection of photographs taken during the trip.

Updated 10 April

Bute Ferry

Scottish 5 Ferries Tours, I can now confirm that in order to secure our accommodation the dates have changed, please visit the two web pages to see the new dates.

5 Ferries Tour 1, click here.

5 Ferries Tour 2, click here.

Updated 9 April

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Weekend Rides, two updates follow. I’ve added photographs taken during yesterdays ride, click here to see them. Secondly, details of the route are now available for Saturday 22 April, click here to go to the ‘Next Ride Details’ page.

Updated 6 April

Walney to Wear Tour, the dedicated training ride program for this tour has now been published. To download and print your copy, please click here…. W2W Training Ride Program 2017a.

Note, you can join the training rides even if you are not actually doing this tour, please contact me if you want to take part on all or any one of the dates. Neil

Updated 5 April

Reivers Tour, the dedicated training ride program for this tour has now been published. To download and print your copy, please click here…. Reivers Training Program 2017a.

Note, you can join the training rides even if you are not actually doing this tour, please contact me if you want to take part on all or any one of the dates. Neil

Updated 1 April

Tunstal Hill

Weekend Rides, details for our next ride are now available, please click here to find out more information.

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Kielder Tour, I’ve added a selection of photographs today, click here to see them.

iPhone-In-Water

Broken iPhone Update, my phone suffered a catastrophic failure during a rather wet ride whilst at Kielder last week, as such I’ve been out of communication for the last three days. I’m currently in the process of replacing it and uploading all my phone data, I hope to be fully up and running again later today (Saturday). Neil

Updated 27 March

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Evening Rides, now open to all cyclists the 2017 evening ride program starts on Wednesday 5 April (venue, ‘The Cycle Hub’). To see more information either click here or on the ‘Weekday’ tab above and follow the sub-menus.

Updated 20 March

Weekend Rides, I’ve uploaded the photographs taken by Sue during our Rainton Meadows to Shadforth ride last Saturday, click here to visit the page.

Updated 16 March

Weekday Rides, here’s a PDF copy of my ‘No Rides Dates’ document….No Ride Dates 2017.

Updated 9 March

Weekday Rides, my van is back on the road. I’m pleased to announce that all weekday rides are up and running again.

Updated 6 March

Weekday Rides, weekday rides are cancelled for the time being, due to van breakdown, I’ll be in touch just as soon as normal service is resumed.

Updated 27 February

Walney to Wear Tour,  a trip to Liverpool this weekend allowed me the opportunity to visit a couple of tour venues, click here to see more. A full recce of the route will take place during the Easter weekend, after which I’ll be able to share even more details.

Scottish 5 Ferries Tours, during June I’ll be heading up to Scotland to research this tour in detail. I’ll share my findings when I return.

Updated 23 February

Weekday Rides, I have completed a list of ‘No Ride Days’ for 2017, please click here to see it, print it or save it…. No Ride Dates 2017.

Updated 22 February

Ludworth Tower 1

Weekend Rides, full details for the next two weekend rides are now available, click here to see them.

Updated 20 February

Weekend Rides, photographs taken during last Saturdays ride have been added to the website, click here to view them.

Updated 17 February

Walney to Wear (Tyne) Tour, I’ve now started working on this tour, booking the accommodation. Click here to get a glimpse of where I’m planning to stay.

Kendal-Hostel-Map

 

Coast & Castles (USA) Tour, I’m currently booking the accommodation for this tour, please visit the dedicated ‘Coast & Castles’ pages to see a few images of where you are staying. Neil

Updated 14 February

Reivers Tours, following a recce of the route on Sunday, I have started populating this area of the website with a selection of photographs, with more information to follow soon.

Updated 11 February

Weekend Rides, I’ve added photographs taken during last weeks Rainton Meadows ride to the ‘ Next Ride’ page, click here to see them.

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Updated 7 February

Weekend Rides, details for the next ride are now published, Saturday 18 February, please click here to see them.

Updated 1 February

Northern Lakes Tours, Northern Lakes Tour 2 is NOW FULL. Also, I have decided to offer an alternative route for the Northern Lakes Tour 1, the Borrowdale Bash replaces the Skiddaw Loop. For details of this new route click here.

Updated 14 January

Kielder Trip, THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL. Also, itinerary has now been added (click here to visit the page).

Updated 12 January

Kielder Trip, a change to places available. There are now no male places available, however due to an injury a female place has become vacant. Please text me if you are interested in filling this final place.

Weekend Rides, Saturday 4 February – Rainton Meadows is a new venue for us. Following a recent visit to meet the staff at the visitors centre, I have updated the ‘next ride’ page, click here to see what’s on offer.

Updated 9 January

Weekend Ride, details now published for Saturday 21 January, click here to visit the page.

Updated 7 January

Kielder boat

Kielder Trip, more details added to the web page this morning, click here to visit it.

Updated 4 January

Weekend Ride, details now available for Saturdays ride, please click here to visit the ‘Next Ride Details’ page.

Updated 1 January 2017

Happy New Year, I’ve started updating this website, adding details for the various tours and excursions, this will take a little while to complete.

Updated 23 December

General, in preparation for 2017 I’ll be overhauling the website during the next few weeks. Many of the photographs currently available will be removed, now is the time to act if you want to save any.

Thank you so much for the many surprises on Sunday. Unfortunately the wine, beer and sweets  didn’t hang around long enough to be photographed.

irene-mug jane-mug poster

 

Updated 21 December

Tours 2017, following on from our ‘get-together’ on Sunday, here is the PowerPoint presentation I delivered ( 2017-tours-presentation ). I’ll take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone for helping to make Sunday so very enjoyable and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Neil

Updated 11 December

Frisky

What’s On in December, I’ve added more information to the ‘week-end rides’ page. Click here to get the latest news.

Updated 27 November

Weekend Rides, I plan to offer two rides during December, both of which will be very much in the ‘weather permitting’ camp. Saturday 10 and Thursday 29,  click here for more details.

What’s On in 2017, I have booked the Ebchester Village Hall for the afternoon of Sunday 18 December for our annual ‘Cycle-Treks get-together’. I will be providing details of two brand new tours for 2017, The Walney to Wear (W2W) and The Five Ferries Tour ( visiting the Scottish Islands) and also the opportunity to join one or two others from the established portfolio of Cycle-Treks Tours (Reivers, Coast & Castles, Keilder and The Northern Lakes). The format for the afternoon will follow the normal ‘pooled-meal’ approach, I’ll be in touch with everyone during the next week or so.

Updated 15 November

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Weekend Ride, the next ride will be to Raggy Heirlooms (one of our favourite lunch stops). Details for this outing (Saturday 26 November) can be found here.

Updated 9 November

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Weekend Ride, details now published for a trip north to Blyth, with the bonus of meeting with Alan to see how he’s progressing after his recent operation, (click here to view them). I’ll be getting in touch with you soon, Neil

Updated 19 October

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Weekend Rides, I’ve published details for the next ride, planned to take place on Saturday 29 October. The chosen route takes us south from Seaburn to The Dun Cow in Seaton village and back (it’s a circular). For full details, please click here.

Updated 9 October

austin-cycle

Hope to see you all soon, Neil

Updated 25 September

Various Tours Update, today I have added a selection of photographs supplied by Keith (C2C – September), Jackie (Reivers 2 – July) and Karen (Lakes 2 – September). Click on the individual tours to view them.

2017 Mini-Tour Preview, we’ll all need a little more mountain ridge practice if we are to follow the route taken in the accompanying video, and a much larger rowing boat too! Note, watch out for a version of Thelma’s unique barrier negotiation trick toward the end of the clip.

Copy and paste the link to your browser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xQ_IQS3VKjA)…

or click here.

Updated 23 September

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Northern Lakes Tour 2, I’ve added a selection of photographs to the ‘Tour Page’, please send me any photographs you wish to share. In the meantime please click here to view what’s currently available.

Updated 20 September

Northern Lakes Tour 1, final batch of photographs added this morning, click here to see them.

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Northern Lakes Tour 1, I’ve added quite a few more photographs today, click here to view them.

Week Day Rides, just a quick reminder for all of you. There will be no ride sessions delivered during week commencing Monday 26 September, rides will then recommence on Monday 3 October.

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Weekend Rides, the Autumn season of Saturday rides is about to begin. Please click here to find out more.

Updated 17 September

valley

Norther Lakes Tour 1, a small selection of photographs have been added today, with more to follow soon, click here to view them.

Updated 7 September

Coast to Coast 2 Tour, more event photographs added this morning, click here to see them.

Updated 6 September

Coast to Coast 2 Tour, a small number of photographs taken during the event just added to the web page, with many more to follow soon. Click here to view them.

Updated 27 August

Coast to Coast 2 Tour, training ride photographs added this morning, please click here to view them.

Updated 10 August

Northern Lakes Tours, both tours are now full, I am now taking names for the various training rides associated with each tour.

Holiday Dates Changes, originally I had communicated that there was to be a two week break to the ride program commencing Monday 26 September through to my return on Monday 10 October. This has changed as Gary has offered to cover the second week of my leave, all weekday and a weekend rides will now be available during week commencing Monday 3 October.

Updated 4 August

Northern Lakes Tours, this morning I have added a lot more information to this page. Including details of each mini tour and the training that is available for these trips, dedicated training for the first tour, which includes the high elevation Lonscale Fell section and access to training for the second tour, which at almost 50 miles will require good levels of stamina. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 27 July

Reivers 2 Tour, photographs taken by Jane D during the event now added to the website, click here to view them.

Updated 25 July

Reivers 2 Tour, photographs taken during the tour have now been added to the website, please click here to view them. If you have any more snaps you would like to share, please forward them to me for publication.

Updated 20 July

Reivers 1 Tour, more photographs taken by Karen have been added today, click here to see them.

Updated 19 July

Reivers Tours Training Rides, I had forgotten to add the few snaps taken during the training rides on 9 and 10 July. To view them click here.

Updated 18 July

Reivers Tour 1, photographs taken during the tour have been added to the Tour 1 Page, click here to visit the page.

Updated 7 July

Reivers Second Training Ride, photographs from last weekend have now been added to the website, please click here to view them.

Updated 30 June

Reivers Training Rides, the venue for the final training ride, Sunday 9 July, has changed. This ride will now start and finish at Consett Football Club, directions for which can be found here (Consett FC ). There will be tea, coffee and toilets available from 9:30 before we leave and tea, coffee, soup and cake/ scones when we return at around 4 o’clock.

Updated 29 June

Reivers Tour Food, this morning I have updated the main page for the Reivers Tours to include a spreadsheet for each of our visits to The Cheviot Hotel in Bellingham and also what is on offer at the Raggy Heirlooms Cycle Cafe for our Sunday lunch stop. I will need to share our food choices with The Cheviot before we start our tours, I will be updating my spreadsheet on Saturday 2 July. Please click here to visit the page and see what choices are available.

Updated 26 June

Reivers Training, I have posted a large selection of photographs taken during last Saturdays ride, click here to see them.

Updated 24 June

Reivers Tours, I’ve visited the newly opened Phoenix Cycle Cafe yesterday. This is the cafe, situated at Hedley-on-the-Hill, that some of us stumbled across a few months back. I thought that as it’s a new local enterprise, then we’d give it a try for lunch on Saturdays training ride. Their location provides spectacular views north in to, and beyond, the Tyne Valley, on a clear day the Scottish Borders are visible as well as a small patch of the North Sea.

Here’s a copy of their menu..

Phoenix Menu1 Phoenix Menu2

 

Reivers Update, there is a potential change to the start point for the final Reivers Training ride (Sunday 10 July). I will be talking to Consett Football Club to see if they can accommodate our group on that day. Consett FC have provided us with an excellent and friendly venue in the past, I will talk with Frank to see if this change is possible.

Reivers Update, our final night of the tour is spent in Bellingham and we have a table booked at The Cheviot Hotel. As this is a Saturday evening and the hotel is likely to very busy, the manager has asked me to provide advanced notice of your meal choices. I will create a spreadsheet and share what’s available with you soon, probably sometime during the second training ride (Seaburn, 2 July).

Coast to Coast One, I’ve added Sue’s photographs today. You can find them on the C2C1 specific page.

Updated 7 June

Coast to Coast One, many more photographs added this evening, click here to view them.

Tour fact, Henry and Kate’s Garmin suggests that we each burned 9098 calories during the tour. Maybe you are a little unsure of what this means?

Here are examples of what 9098 calories look like……

Marions Stanhope Starter (9097.9999 calories)

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One slice of Lemon Drizzle Cake (standard slice 130 calories, stolen slice 9098 calories)

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Coast to Coast One, I’ve added a small selection of photographs this morning, many more to follow soon. Visit the Tour Page to see them.

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Updated 19 May

Keilder Soup Recipe, click here to download the Italian Farmhouse Soup recipe as served at Keilder in April ( Neil’s Italian Farmhouse Soup Recipe ).

Updated 17 May

C2C Training Rides, Consett FC, here is the address and post code for Saturdays change to the start venue.

Consett Football Club

Delves Lane,

Consett,

Co Durham,

Post Code DH8 7BF

Updated 15 May

C2C Training Rides, Note, Saturday 21 May, starting venue changed, now Consett Football Club (was Consett Swimming Pool). Directions to this venue and also for Sunday 22 May can be found by clicking below.

Training Ride 3, Saturday 21 May…..( Consett FC )

Training Ride 4, Sunday 22 May….. ( Lygetts Junction )

Updated 6 May

Martin Matthews, Martin joined us on last years Holland Tour in September. Here’s a unique opportunity to view and hear his work, currently on display at Durham City’s  World Hertitage Site Visitor Centre. The exhibition runs from 1 to 29 May. Click to enlarge the image for full details…

Martin Matthews

Updated 4 May

Holland, more photographs added this morning, courtesy of Sue. Click here to visit them.

Updated 29 April

Holland, a few more photographs added this morning (down loaded from my iPhone, quality not great).

Cafe Assendelft Update, despite a thorough search of the village main street, no cafe could be found. this was in spite of the Trail Leader being informed that it had been there just a few days earlier. I have searched the internet and located just one image, see below.

tumbleweed

It would appear that Kevin was either day dreaming or part of an underhand scheme to get the riders to stop whilst part of the group went to sit on rocking chairs or look at a selection of coloured glass, or both.

chair coloured glass hammock

Updated 28 April

Holland, we’re back from our travels, a very busy tour and such some very tired tourists and tour leader. Note I’ve added some photographs today, please share your own snaps with me and I’ll publish them too. Click here to see the photographs.

Updated 18 April

Weekday Rides, just a quick reminder. Weekday Rides are stopping for a short break from today, they will resume again on Tuesday 3 May.

Updated 15 April

Holland Update, just received an e-mail from Keith (Stamp). It contained a link to a cycling article (warning, contains some fruity language). I think it makes good reading for anyone coming to Holland next week, certainly in light of the fact that I still haven’t researched next Fridays route north to Alkmaar from Heemskerk. When you read the article you’ll recognise this approach as being authentic old school cycling, stop-start, stuttering, full of mystery and fun.

Here’s the link to copy and paste in to your web browser…..

http://gu.com/p/4t9bm?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Updated 14 April

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Weekend Rides, I’ve added a good selection of photographs from last weekends ride (click here to visit the page). The Weekend Ride Program is taking its annual break and is replaced by the Tours Training Ride Program, if you are not involved in any of the tours but still fancy riding at the weekend click here to see what’s available to you.

Weekday Rides, there is a ride as normal on Monday 18 April (Temple Park & Biddick Arts). The program then takes a break as The Holland Tour takes place, with Weekday Rides restarting after the May Bank Holiday on Tuesday 3 May (Watergate & Marsden). Here is the link to the ‘No Ride Dates’ for 2016, Holiday Dates 2016.

Updated 6 April

Kielder Tour, many more photographs (courtesy of Sue) added this morning, click here to view them.

An April ‘Pickering’ Extra,  Caption Competition, please text all your suggestion(s) to Neil.

April Pickering

Caption

Entry 1, ‘Neil reports Marion’s Wednesday morning taxi experience in full detail to Pete’.

Updated 2 April

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Kielder Tour, fabulous weather, stunning countryside and star filled skies all contributed to giving us a great mini-tour. I have added some photographs this morning, with more to follow soon. Click here to visit the Kielder page.

Updated 20 March

Mountain Daisy, here are a couple of panoramic images taken during yesterdays visit. Many thanks to Landlady Denise for making our visit so enjoyable, the vegetable broth, sandwiches and an open fire made us feel very welcome.

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General Information, click here to view a list of ‘no-ride’ dates for 2016 ( Holiday Dates 2016 ). These dates are mostly linked to pre tour preparation days (various), the Kielder Excursion (March), the Dutch Tour (April) and Neils annual two week break (September/ October).

Updated 18 March

Reivers Tours Update, day 2 of this tour has now been fully researched, click here to see what Chris and Neil discovered on their trip yesterday.

Updated 16 March

Kielder Tour, sad news follows, Anne took a call late last night. It appears there’s been an accident resulting in our guest chef having to bow out of the trip. It sounds to be more than a snapped spatular, we wish chef a speedy recovery.

Kielder Tour update now continues on a more positive note, good news for some who were unhappy with the Chilli Carne Carne option, as of today it is off the menu, to be replaced by Knitsley Sausage Casserole (I’ll assume you all love Knitsley Sausage?).

Photographs

Our guest chef ‘breaks’ the news, image taken late last night.

bandaged man in hospital bed

Knitsley Sausages, heading to Kielder very soon.

sausages_hung

Updated 11 March

Weekend Rides, In advance of the next ride (Saturday 19 March), the Mountain Daisy trip, I have taken and published a few photographs of the CAMRA article ‘Tiles with Style’ published in their ‘Beer Magazine’ last Autumn. Click here to view these images.

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Weekend Rides Update, route now chosen for Saturday 9 April. For details of the Causey Arch and Quaking Houses route, click here to visit the next ride details (scroll down the page to see the detailed route and a few images too).

CauseyArch1

Weekday Rides, photographs taken at South Shields (Monday 7 March) added today, click here to view them.

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Updated 9 March

Norther Lakes Tours Update, I am adding names to these tours now, note; there is a maximum limit of 11 people for each tour.

Updated 6 March

General Information, click here to view a list of ‘no-ride’ dates for 2016 ( Holiday Dates 2016 ). These dates are mostly linked to pre tour preparation days (various), the Kielder Excursion (March), the Dutch Tour (April) and Neils annual two week break (September/ October).

Northern Lakes Excursion, once again I will be offering two ‘single night’ mini tours in mid to late September. Click here to visit the page for some outline details.

Updated 4 March

Reivers Tours Update, a full day yesterday spent researching day 1 of the Reivers route. Chris and I have now established all the major requirements and found a few problems for day 1 of this tour. Please click here to find out more.

Updated 28 February

Holland 2016, Monday & Tuesday night menu now available, can Group 2 members please text their selections to me (click here to see which group you are in). Please click here to view it ( Scampi Menu ).

Holland 2016, outcomes from the meeting  held yesterday at Lintzford are detailed on the Tour Page, click here to visit the page.

Weekend Rides, route added today for the March 19 ride, The Mountain Daisy visit. Click here to visit the ‘Next Ride Page’.

Updated 21 February

Kielder Excursion, I have published a fact sheet for this trip, please click here to view and print it ( Kielder Excursion 2016 ).

Weekend Rides, I have added two rides for March, these are a chance to catch up on the cycle cafe extension on the ‘the Raggy Heirlooms circular’ and a chance to view some outstanding Victorian art during a visit to the ‘Mountain Daisy Public House in Sunderland’ . Click here to find out more.

Updated 20 February

Kielder Update, THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL. The next mini-excursion will take place in September, a return to The Northern Lakes, details for which will be published during the summer.

Updated 17 February

Keilder Update, there are only 4 spaces remaining. Please text Neil to reserve your place.

Updated 15 February

Kielder Excursion, at the request of the owners of Tarset Tor I have changed the dates for this trip, pulled it forward one day. The dates are now Wednesday 30 March through Friday 1 April (still two nights). I am limiting the numbers to 15 for this trip, this equates to 2 of the smaller 8 berth chalets/bothies, 8 of these 15 places have been reserved already. Click here to visit the ‘Kielder Excursion’ page.

Updated 14 February

Weekend Rides, I will shortly publish a timetable for rides throughout March and April. The first of which is likely to be the route to Raggy Heirlooms, in order to check out their newly extended summerhouse/ tea room.

Updated 13 February

Kielder Excursion, brief details and various photographs added today, I have around 6 or 7 people expressing an interest at the moment. Click here to discover more about this mini-tour.

Tarset-Tor-Bunkhouses

Weekend Rides, I have published the details for the next weekend outing. Taking place on Saturday 27 February, I’ve chosen a slightly more demanding route (terrain wise, nothing technical though, it’s all lanes and wide trails). The effort of climbing is rewarded with marvellous views north to The Cheviot hills and the Tyne Valley, details can be found by clicking here.

Tyne_Valley

Updated 11 February

Holland 2016, the ‘Dutch Consent Form’ is now available on the Holland Tour ‘Main Page’ click here, alternatively you can click here for an immediate copy ( Dutch Consent Form ), please bring the completed with you to the training ride, taking place on Saturday 16 April.

Holland 2016, Keukenhof Gardens, rather than having to ‘copy & paste’ the details, here is a quicker route to the  ‘comb-ticket’ site, just click here to visit it directly.

Meester & Juffen (Heemskerk), as promised the list of Starters & Mains can be viewed here ( Evening Meal Choices for Meesters ), we are asked to reduce this down to three of each, please text me your meal choice (in the format requested).

Tours Meeting Notes, following on from last Sundays meeting I have separated the my notes and prompts, you can view those that are of interest to you by clicking on the various links given below.

Holland ( Meeting Notes Holland )

Coast to Coast ( C2C1 Meeting Notes 070216 )

Reivers ( Reivers Tours Meeting 070216 )

Updated 9 February

Holland 2016, following on from the meeting last Sunday here are a couple of helpful links addressing two of the questions raised….

a) a list of meals that are not included in the tour cost, please click here ( Self Pay Meals ).

Keukenhof Gardens

b) Chris has supplied a useful link to the site, a combined bus & entry ticket can be purchased for 24 Euro. Here’s the link to copy and paste into your web browser, http://ticketing.wheretocard.nl/keukenhof/ctrl/orderentry?language=en

keukenhof Keukenhof1 Keukenhof2

 

Updated 7 February

Coast to Coast 2 (September), I have correct a couple of minor errors on the training program sheet for this tour, incorrect dates were quoted in the title and text. Please click here ( C2C2 TR Program 2016 ) to view the updated sheet.

Updated 3 February

Tours General, I have one place still remaining on the Coast to Coast Tour (departing Thursday 2 June), all the other tours are now full. If you are interested in filling this final space, or you know someone you maybe, please contact me. Thank you, Neil

Reivers Tour 2 (21 July) update, today I have added a brief itinerary for this tour, with some text and a selection of photographs. The itinerary is fixed in terms of the overnight accommodation, but some of the proposed lunch and coffee stops on days one and two may alter after I have completed my trial run of the first half of the route (scheduled to take place later this month). Click here to visit the page.

Updated 2 February

Reivers Tour 1 (14 July) update, today I have added a brief itinerary for this tour, with some text and a selection of photographs. The itinerary is fixed in terms of the overnight accommodation, but some of the proposed lunch and coffee stops on days one and two may alter after I have completed my trial run of the first half of the route (scheduled to take place later this month). Please click here to visit the page.

Updated 1 February

Cycle-Treks ‘Get-Together’, time 14:30, Sunday 7 February (duration 2 to 3 hours), venue is Ebchester Village Hall. I have sent text messages to all of those who are ‘touring’ this year and once I have firmed up numbers coming along I will update this page with further information if it is needed. In the meantime, directions to Ebchester can be found here ( Directions to Ebchester village hall ).

Holland 2016, more information and photographs added today, click here to visit the page. Also, training ride date now confirmed, click here to visit the page.

Tours General, I have added the names of participants to the four UK tours. There are now just two spaces still available, one on the June C2C and one on the July 14 Reivers.

Updated 30 January

Reivers Tours, training ride programs now published, to see the dates and routes chosen please click here to visit the ‘Reivers Training Ride’ page.

Updated 29 January

Coast to Coast Tours, I have published the training ride programs for each of the two Coast to Coast Tours this year, click here to visit the page.

Updated 29 January

Coast to Coast Tours, Today I have added a lot of information and photographs to the C2C Tours pages.

Riding the Coast to Coast 2 – 5 June, click here.

Riding the Coast to Coast 1 – 4 September, click here.

There is some bad news regarding the route around the Keswick area, storm and flood damage has been severe and the official route has been closed in two places. The bridge at Braithwaite has been washed away, as have two of the former rail bridges that crossed the river Greta between Keswick and Threlkeld.

THRELKELD-04--Keswick-Railway-Footpath

 

The damaged bridges at both these points can be negotiated by taking ‘off route’ alternatives. At Keswick to Threlkeld this results in a short but steep extra climb up to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, which maybe considered a bonus?

Castlerigg-stone-circle

Updated 22 January

Cycle-Treks ‘Get Together’, unfortunately it has been necessary to change the date for this event. Our ‘get together’ will now take place on Sunday 7 February at Ebchester village hall. The day will follow the same format as 2015, starting at around 2:30, with a ‘pooled meal’ and some information as to what is happening during our 2016 Tours season. I will publish further details in the next few days, I’ll be asking for food contributions again if that’s okay?

Weekend Rides, details now published for the next ride, Seaburn to the Washington Arts Centre, please click here to find the details.

Hylton Castle

Updated 18 January

Weekend Ride, I have added a small selection of photographs taken on the recent Lintzford to Waskerley/ Parkhead ride. Click here to view them.

Updated 9 January

Weekend Ride, the next ride takes place on Saturday 16 January. Lintzford (Garden Centre) to Parkhead Cafe (Waskerley Way, Stanhope). Click here to visit the ‘next ride details’ page.

Waskerley

Updated 24 December

Christmas Holiday Ride, no need to bring a packed lunch on this occasion as we have arranged to eat at The Staiths Cafe (Dunston), a bowl of Winter Soup served with sourdough bread. Click here to visit their web page.

Updated 20 December

Christmas Holiday Ride, an easy day ride along the banks of the river Tyne for the Christmas Holidays, click here for details.

Updated 16 December

Frisky

Christmas Holidays, week day rides will finish on Tuesday 22 December (there will be no Winlaton Mill ride on Wednesday 23 December) and recommence on Monday 4 January at Temple Park.

Snowy

Christmas Ride, there will be an opportunity to ride on Wednesday 30 December (weather permitting). This ride will follow the weekend ride format, starting at 10 o’clock and finishing at around 3 o’clock. More details will be published soon, if you are interested in coming along please let me know (either next time you see me or via a text message).

Updated 11 December

Holland 2016, I have added more information this morning, an outline itineary and photographs. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 4 December

Reivers Tours, I have added a large selection of photographs today, they show the accommodation chosen for this years tours and also a selection of scenes you are likely to see during the tour, (click here to visit the page).

Updated 3 December

photo

Tours, updates to the pages for next years tours are now underway. More and more information will be added during the next few weeks.

Updated 30 November

Weekend Rides, the final weekend ride for 2015 will take place on Saturday 12 December. Details for this ride can be found on the ‘Next Ride Details’ page (click here).

I have published a few photographs taken on Saturday (28 November), click here to see them.

Christmas Ride, a full day ride will take place on Wednesday 30 December, details for this ride will follow shortly (please visit this page again to see them).

Tour Pages, these will be re-vamped later this week. Separate pages detailing the itinerary, group mix and associated pre-tour training dates will be available for each of the five tours taking place next year.

End of Year Review, with the lead up to Christmas being very congested, the End of Year Review will take place on Sunday 31 January. Venue and timing details will follow soon.

Reivers Tour, here are a few photographs taken by Chris during one of our preparation days. Please note, the photographs were taken in November, over a particularly wet weekend (July 2016 will be sunny and bright).

Day4 Day4b East of Keilder Water  Sign Van

Updated 19 November

Weekend Rides, I have updated the ‘Next Ride Details’ page today (click here). Please note, the start time for the Newcastle Quayside ride has been pulled forward by 30 minutes, to take in to account the earlier sunset time.

Tours 2015 Pages, shortly I will be replacing these with details for the 2016 Tours. If you wish to download any photographs please do so over the next few days, before they disappear.

Updated 16 November

General Information, Hi I’m back from my Autumn break and will be updating my website over the next few days. I will be adding some details of the five tours that are taking place next year, the resumption of the ‘extended ride’ program for winter 2015/16 and a few pictures taken this weekend (Chris and me have been to Keilder Water to check out the Reivers route and accommodation, also the opportunity to ride a couple of routes in this area as a separate ‘Mini Tour’ offering for 2016).

Updated 19 October

Lakes Tour Number 2, a few more photographs (taken and supplied by Alan) added today, click here to view them.

Updated 9 October

Lakes Tour Number 2, a few photographs added today, click here to view them.

Weekday Rides, photographs taken at Lintzford Mill on the last day of September can be found here.

A contender for another caption competition?, send your entries to me via text or e-mail.

Chain lecture

Updated 1 October

Holland Tour 3, I have uploaded a large selection of photographs today, these were taken by Sue. Click here to visit the page.

In the meantime here are a few samples…..

Haarlem Sept 2015 217 Haarlem Sept 2015 150   Haarlem Sept 2015 219

Northern Lakes Tour 2, photographs added today, click here to visit the page, you’ll need to scroll down the page to find them.

Updated 19 September

Northern Lakes Tour 1, event photographs added today, click here to visit the page and then scroll down until you find them.

Updated 12 September

Holland Tour 3, more photographs added today, you’ll find them dotted around here and there, click here to seek them out.

Northern Lakes Tour(s), I have just published a document detailing the itinerary and a few things to consider for this tour, click here Northern Lakes Tour 2015 to access the document.

Updated 7 September

Holland Tour 3, photographs have started to arrive, view them here. More to follow as they become available via Chris.

Updated 27 August

Holland Tour 2, a new batch of photographs have been added today, these replace my photographs originally posted 15 August. To see the new photographs click here.

Updated 15 August

Holland Tour 2, photographs added today, to see them please click here

Caption Competition, please either text or e-mail your suggestions to me at ‘neil@cycle-treks.co.uk’

caption

Updated 05 August

Northern Lakes Tour, I’ve added photographs taken during my recent trip with Gary to explore and reasearch the route for day one of the tour, you will also see a list of names for each of the two trips. More information will be published when I return from the next tour to Holland. Click here to visit the page.

Updated 02 August

Holland Tour 1, I have replaced my photographs with a selection contributed by Jeff, Bob, Peter and Keith. You can see them by clicking here.

Updated 25 July

Holland Tour 1, I have added my small selection of photographs today. View them here. If you have photographs you wish to share please either e-mail them to me (neil@cycle-treks.co.uk) or pop them on a memory stick and pass them to me next time we meet. Thank you for the various feedback given during the tour and afterward too, much appreciated and the various tips you have offered will be shared with groups 2 and 3. Neil

Here are a few instant memories…..

Bees Birds Birds2 Gnome Hillside Desolate Node 95

Updated 16 July

Weekday, photographs taken recently added to the ‘weekday’ page, click here to visit the page.

Updated 13 July

Single Day Tours, ‘Next Ride Details’ page updated to confirm dates and more for the next forrest ride and also the trip to The Lake District, click here for more information.

Updated 10 July

Holland, individual tour date pages modified to reflect revised ‘day by day itinerary’, group composition also updated for August and September, and now represents the changes introduced by the departure of Mike and Eileen and the introduction of Martin and Lesley.

Updated 8 July

Summer Holiday Reminder, here is a list of the planned ‘no-ride days’ this summer… ( Summer Hols )

Updated 5 July

Holland, I’ve added a downloadable check list to the Holland Tours main page, click here to visit the page.

Updated 4 July

Hamsterley Forrest, a selection of photographs from yesterdays ride have been uploaded today. Click here to view them, if you have any of your own to share please let me know.

Updated 3 July

Hamsterley Forrest, those who came along today can watch that final exhilarating downhill section again, bomb holes, table tops and rock gardens et al, whilst those who are perhaps just curious try clicking here.

Updated 30 June

Coast & Castles, more photographs added today, click here to see them.

Updated 29 June

Coast & Castles, Well done to all of this years group, another great tour and the challenge has been completed without very much effort at all. I presume you all indulged in a big bowl of Frosties when you arrived home last night.

Here are a selection of photographs I have added this morning (click here), more will follow as I receive them from anyone who is willing to share theirs with me.

Updated 23 June

Weekday Rides, photographs taken in Marsden, South Tyneside, today. To view them click here.

Updated 21 June

C&C Training, extra photographs added for training ride 3 (Lintzford) click here, and also some from the final training ride (Seaburn) click here.

Updated 20 June

C&C Training, photographs added to training page today, click here to view them.

Updated 19 June

Hamsterley Forrest, Pete and me checked out the Red Route today. It is challenging with some decent climbs (technical too in a couple of places), a good mix of terrain, beautiful stretches of single track through densely wooded sections, fields full of wild flowers too. The descents are exhilarating, however there are one or two parts where caution is required, but nothing to worry about as we can always get off and walk these short portions. Photographs can be found by visiting the ‘Single Day Tour’ page, click here to go to it.

Updated 18 June

Videos, I have added links to a couple of HCW videos today, they are published on Youtube and as such are prone to advertising and once completed Youtube moves on to another unrelated video that has a similar title (I’m not sure how to prevent this at the moment, try this…. once the Youtube page opens, click on the auto play button in the top right hand corner to switch it off).

To see the videos, click here, and scroll down the page when it opens in a new window.

C&C Tour, photographs taken during the second training ride can be viewed by clicking here and scrolling down the new page when it opens.

YHN Rides, more photographs published today, click here to view them (when the new page opens, scroll down to the photographs).

Holland, a couple of videos have been added, these show the terrain you will encounter (very flat) on your tour this year, click here to see the movies (when the new page opens, you will need to scroll down to find the links).

Updated 14 June

Saturday 20 June, I’ll be leading this third training ride for this years Coast & Castles Tour. It’s the route that takes us to the Derwent Resevoir, stopping at Minsteracres retreat for lunch, the retreat is set in magnificent grounds with two avenues of giant red wood trees. Once again we are welcome to use the refractory at the retreat, where tea, coffee and homemade biscuits will be available (for a small donation). Unfortunately, the staff are unable to provide anything more substantial (such as soup).

Updated 6 June

C&C, photographs from todays training ride just published, visit the ‘C&C 25 to 28 June’ page to view them.

Updated 3 June

HCW, a few more photographs have been added to the website today, visit the ‘HCW 2015 Tour’ page to view them.

Updated 1 June

Coast & Castles (C&C) Tour, if you are joining this tour please download/ print the Tour Agenda, click here… ( Agenda for C&C2015 meeting ) and also the single page Tour Training Program, here it is…( C&C Training 2015 ).

Updated 31 May

Hadrains’ End, and what a great tour it was, with the move to Corbridge for the final night proving to be a winning idea. Tour day 4 photographs added tonight, just a few of my photographs at present, with many more of yours to follow soon. Well done to you all for completing  the route and a special big thank you from me to Chris for leading the group.

Updated 30 May

HCW, this evening a small sample of tour photographs, day 1, day 2 and day 3 have been added to the ‘HCW Tour’ main page.

Updated 25 May

HCW, photographs from the final training ride have been added today, visit the Hadrians Cycle Way ‘training ride’ page to view them.

Updated 24 May

HCW Training, directions to Consett Swimming Pool can be found here….( Consett Pool ). The annual Musical Festival has been moved from Consett Rugby Club (pitch being re-laid) to Consett FC.

Updated 23 May

HCW Training, photographs from todays ride added to ‘HCW Training Ride’ page.

Updated 21 May

YHN, photographs added today, visit the ‘weekdays timetable’ page to view them.

Updated 20 May

Holland, have you read through the powerpoint file and wondered what happened to day 3? Mistakenly deleted by the wonky editor finger of fate! Here it is…. ( Page 3 )

Summer Holidays, here is a list of the planned ‘no-ride days’ this summer… ( Summer Hols )

Updated 17 May

Holland, a big thank you to everyone for their contribution to making today perfect. The buffet food was terrific, the help in cleaning up the village hall was very much appreciated. Thank you all for coming along, Neil, Anne, Chris and Barbara.

Holland continued, click here to see the presentation I delivered today, note I have removed all the photographs and background formatting in order to publish this document… (Holland 2015web )

Weekend Ride, photographs added today for yesterdays ride out to Ministeracres, visit the ‘Weekend, Next Ride Details’ page to view them.

Updated 14 May

Holland, Just confirming the Sunday gathering (17 May) will now start at 2 o’clock in the Ebchester Village Hall, duration is anticipated to be around 3 hours. Directions to this venue can be found here…. ( Directions to Ebchester Village Hall ).

village hall

Weekday, photographs added to the weekday ‘timetable’ page, including yesterdays ride through Chopwell Wood.

Also, here’s a link to the Ebchester Community Website, hunt through the photographs ‘Ebchester’s Got Talent’ and ‘Jubilee & Olympic Celebrations’, were you can find the odd photograph of Pete, Christine, Matthew and Neil.

Copy and paste link… http://www.ebchester.org/gallery/ebchester-today/

Updated 10 May

HCW Training, just published vital statistics provided to me today by Henry, also conformation that there were few if any hills on this route. Honest Henry states….

Hi Neil
Here is a pdf of the ride we did yesterday. Downhill all the way as everyone can now see. We were just all imagining those hills!!

I switched it on about half a mile into the ride which explains by the total distance is a little less than it should be and we went down more that we went “up”.

Hope all enjoy this.

Henry and Kate

Click here to view the facts, ( Stats Garmin H&K)

Updated 9 May

HCW Training, published photographs can be found on the ‘Training Ride’ page for HCW Tour.

Updated 3 May

HCW, well we’re in to this years tour season at last and as such here are a couple of documents that will be of interest to those of you taking part on this years Hadrians Cycle Way Tour (28 – 31 May). Training Program (HCW training 2015 ), Meeting Agenda (Agenda for HCW meeting 090515 ).

Weekend Rides, just a few snaps added to the ‘Latest Ride Details’ page from yesterdays outing, anyone with photographs to share, especially those from Chris’s group, please let me know.

Updated 1 May

Holland, any birdwatchers may be interested in the list of birds spotted in and around Haarlem during our stay. These being, avocet, blackbird,buzzard,chaffinch, coot, crow, dove (collared), tufted duck, shelduck, mallard, egret, black tailed godwit, goldfinch, greylag goose, pink footed goose, great crested grebe, great tit, black eyed gull, herring gull, heron (grey), kestrel, jackdaw, lapwing, magpie, swallow, merlin, oystercatcher, pidgeon, redshank, swan, tern, pied wagtail.

Hamsterley Forrest Ride, Friday 3 July, this ride is now full. If you would like to join a future forrest ride (Chopwell or Hamsterley) please text me and if there is sufficient interest I will organise another.

Updated 30 April

Hamsterley Forrest Ride, please visit the ‘Single Day Tours’ page for latest details. Note, only one space remains available for this date (3 July, 2015).

trail

Holland, a date has now been confirmed for a ‘get-together’ were Neil & Chris will share the details of your tour, this date is for all three of this years Dutch Tours. Sunday 17th May, venue Ebchester Village Hall, time 14:30 (duration 2 to 3 hours). More information to follow.

photo2

 

YHN, a group of very happy cyclists at Scotswood.

290415

Updated 27 April

Holland, due to a technical problem in Haarlem yesterdays photographs failed to upload. They will be available to view later today.

Updated 26 April

Holland, a final batch of photographs have been added to the site today, same location as previous.

In an effort to trim costs the number of bikes leaving on the ferry will be reduced down to three. A more efficient machine has been found and will be ordered upon my return to the UK.

Quad Bike

Updated 25 April

Holland, more photographs added this morning. Visit the Holland Tours main page to view them.

Updated 22 April

Holland, a small selection of photographs added today. Three trial rides now completed for the summer tour program, more to follow soon. Please visit the ‘Holland’ main page to view them.

Updated 18 April

Weekend Rides, photographs and some technical stuff have been added tonight (visit ‘Next Ride Details’ page to view these updates).

Hamsterley Forrest, following the success of our Chopwell day a provisional date now released, Friday 3 July. Please contact Neil (text) to register your name.

Updated 17 April

Chopwell, photographs from todays ride (17/04/2015) added to Single Day Tours page.

YHN, 3rd evening ride photograph (13/04/2015)

photo1

Updated 14 April

Weekday Rides, just to confirm, whilst I’m in Holland next week, the week day sessions will still take place, with Gary leading the sessions. I will return to work on Tuesday 28 April (there will be no rides on Monday 27 April).

Cafe Update, new cafe found at Dunston Staiths. Verdict, smashing location, the coffee is great and the bacon sandwiches smell terrific!

Staiths cafe

 

General,  a controversial Cycle-Treks end of year report has been deemed fit for publication. Read the report (note, some censorship applied) by clicking here….(1st Year School Report 2014 vA )

Updated 10 April

Chopwell Wood 2, taking place on Friday 17 April, visit the ‘Single Day Tours’ page ‘Next Ride Details’ page for more information.

Updated 6 April

Chopwell Wood, a more detailed map and brief route outline added to ‘Next Ride Details’ page.

Updated 5 April

Weekend Rides, photographs from yesterdays ride now published (visit the ‘Next Ride Details’ page). If anyone has photographs to share, especially those taken of Pete’s Pathfinder group, please get in touch.

Updated 2 April

Chopwell Wood, the long awaited forest ride is scheduled to take place on Friday 10 April. Please visit the ‘Single Day Tours’ pages for further details. Spaces available for this ride will be limited to a maximum of eight riders. Please text Neil if you are interested in joining this ride.

Weekend Rides, all the cake votes are in for Saturday 4 April. The clear winner was Raspberry Crumble Shortcake with Chocolate Tiffin and Carrot Cake coming joint second. Quite how Carrot Cake got so many votes is something of a mystery as it wasn’t on offer (crowd voting?). Also, Chololate Tiffin has replaced Bara Brith, as according to our kitchen boffins, it appears that Bara Brith needs a good 4 to 5 days to mature. So the good news, it’s a sort of three for two day Saturday with Cycle-Treks.

JD informs, ‘two done and the third is about to be started’.

Updated 29 March

Weekday Rides, Please note there will be no ride on Easter Monday (6 April).

Tours (Holland), Training ride details for each of the Dutch trips are now available, please visit the ‘Holland Training’ page for the full run down.

Updated 27 March

Tours (UK), Coast & Castles, unfortunately I have to report, it appears The Clovenfords Hotel has had to close or is very close to closure. This hotel has been our stopping place for the last five tours, a great venue and great staff too, its closure is very sad news.

As such I have decided to remove all risk from this tour. The good news is, I have secured alternative accommodation in Galasheils, more good news, day two of this tour has been reduced in distance by around six miles (day one therefore increases by six). I have posted  photographs of the new place ‘Binniemyre’ on the ‘Coast & Castles main page’.

Weekend Rides, 4 April (Tyne United Rowing Club), to vote for your choice of cake, please text either 1 (date, banana & orange), 2 (lemon drizzle), 3 (Bara brith), 4 (fruit crumble shortcake) or 5 (good ol chocolate cake) to Neil. Note, one vote per person please. The two cakes with the most votes will make it to the mixing bowl.

Updated 23 March

UK Tours, a document for each of the UK tours, giving start locations, brief route descriptions and approximate distance and duration times, has been published today. Please visit the ‘Training’ page for the tour you have chosen and download the relevant details.

Updated 22 March

Weekend Rides, the route for Saturday 4 April now finalised, it’s a mix of old and new. Please visit the ‘Next Ride Details’ page for a brief description of the route and a few photographs taken on todays reconnaissance (?) ride.

Updated 21 March

Weekend Rides, Gibside ride photographs added to ‘Next Ride Details’ page.

Updated 2 March

Weekend Rides, we have free access to the National Trust Gibside Estate and their cafe on 21 March. Also, there will be a farmers market taking place, so we will extend our lunch break to take advantage of this event and don’t forget to bring an extra large backpack with you to accomodate any tasty extras you purchase on the day.

Updated 1 March

Weekend Rides, please visit the ‘Weekend Rides’ page to access a batch of recently published documents detailing the ride program for Spring 2015. There are maps, tables and plenty of other information to keep you occupied for a little while. So go and boil a kettle and make yourself comfortable.

Updated 19 February

Weekend Rides,

Note: The next ride is taking place on Friday 27 February, rather than Saturday 28.

scones

Please access the ride details here… (RisingSun)

Updated 15 February

General, with some help and guidance from my web administrator (Matt Taylor) I have now updated the website home page, the selection of photographs has changed at last.

Updated 13 February

Tours – Holland, the first cycle trailer arrived this week. Towed along behind the bike, 16″ wheels and a sprung articulated joint ensures that it manoeuvres very easily. Each trailer will carry three storage boxes, one box per person. A waterproof rainproof cover will ensure the storage boxes are kept dry during transportation.

Dutch Trailer

 

Tours – Holland, visit the Holland Tour main page to see a suggested day 4 destination.

(ever stayed in a castle, it could be a potential base for 2016?).

Grounds-Heemskerk

 

Updated 8 February

Tours, here is a link to a document containing wise words regarding the European Health Card from Bob (aka Shotley Bridge Bob), he also includes a link to help you apply for the card if you should need to. Press here…. EHC

General Interest, this one’s for all of you who are following the slow progress in returning the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel to full use. Again it is supplied by Bob (he attended the original presentation). You’ll need about fifty minutes to watch the full video. So make a cup of tea before pressing here… Tunnel

Updated 7 February

Weekend Rides, details for Saturday 14 February (Lower Tyne Tour ) now published. Please click here (Arbeia ) for a brief route description and details of where to meet etc.

Updated 29 January

Weekend Rides, details for Saturday 31 January (Seaburn) now published. Please click here (Seaburn ) for a brief route description and details of where to meet etc.

Updated 5 January

Tours, Holland, pages for individual tour dates now updated, more information will follow soon.

Updated 3 January

Tours, Holland home page  now in process, please visit this page to see whats been added today. More information to follow soon.

Updated 31 December

Tours, training ride programs and other details added to Hadrians Cycle Way and Coast and Castles pages.

Tours, Holland tour details will be added during the first days of January.

Updated 30 November

Weekend Ride, Angel View Circular – photographs published, visit the ‘Next Ride Details’ page.

Christmas and New Year, weather permitting the weekday ride program will continue through December up to and including Monday 22nd and ressumes Monday 5 January.

Bike Servicing, the new workshop is now complete, kitted out and ready for action. Is your bike overdue a service or perhaps in need of repair? Contact Neil for details of what’s on offer during December and January.

Website, it’s in need of an overhaul I know, you’ll be delighted to hear that this work is scheduled to commence during December.

Updated 19 November

Weekend Ride, details are now available for our final ride of 2014. Please visit the Weekend Rides Page for the relevant information, also a downloadable map showing the start point at The Angel View Hotel.

As with last year we have organised food for our return (soup. sandwiches, tea, coffee etc.) and there will be a quick update as to what is happening with the tours during 2015.

Tours, due to a planning hickup the Hadrians Cycle Way Tour date has moved forward a week. Departure day is now Thursday 28 May 2015 (was Thursday 4 June). There are now only 3 places still available to book for this tour.

Tours, Coast & Castles Tour. There are now just 3 places still available for this tour.

Tours, Holland – August. Henry & Kate have joined this tour, welcome aboard H&K.

 

Updated 9 October

Tours 2015, demand for next years dutch tours has been very high, as such a fourth trip to Holland (during late August) is now being considered. I will be in a position to release more details when I return from my holiday (late October).

Tours 2015, Holland names confirmed…..

July, now full, Lesley & Keith (S), David & Carolyn (T), Peter & Lesley (Mac), Owen & Maureen(O), Jane, Bob, Jeff.

August, now full, Dorothea, Helen, Mike, Kevin, Vera, Jackie P, Karen, Sue (B), Larry, Alan (L), Alan (W).

September, now full, Ilene, Eileen, Vicky, Jay, Shirley, Wendy, Irene, Sue P, Ann, Marion, Gary.

Reserve list/ possible 4th Holland Tour (August), Kate, Henry, Dave, Bernie, Peter (F), Jim, Bill C x2, Nick, Jenny, Amanda.

UK Tours, Hadrians Cycle Way (4 June) & Coast and Castles (25 June), update, both tours are now 50% full.

Updated 7 October

Weekends, new ride added, Saturday 18 October, Consett, the Lanchester Loop. Visit ‘next ride details’ page for more information.

Updated 28th September

Weekends, directions to Lintzford Garden Centre (4th October) added to ‘Next Ride Details’ page. Need to see them now? Click here….  Lintzford.

Weekends, directions to Newburn and ‘The Cycle Hub’ added to ‘Next Ride Details’ page today. Quick links…  Newburn and Cycle Hub.

Updated 25th September

Tours 2015, I will be detailing what’s planned for 2015, and especially the trips to Holland at the end of the weekend ride on Saturday 4th October (Lintzford Gardner Centre). If you are wishing to come on one of the three Dutch trips, please join me at Lintzford. Visit the ‘Weekend Rides’ page for details.

Weekend Rides, dates and venues for October and November now published. Visit the ‘Weekend Rides’ page for details.

Holidays, Neil will be taking annual leave shortly, Friday 10th to Friday 24th October. However, there will be no disruption to the weekday ride program as Gary will be covering these sessions. Gary can be contacted at 07917161693 (please text rather than phone him).

Updated 14th September

Weekend Ride, venue and route for 27th September ride now published. Need directions? (click here… Silksworth )

Updated 13th September

Weekend Ride, photographs from 13 September ride added to ‘Next Ride Details’ page today.

Updated 10th September

Weekend Ride, directions to Newburn, a downloadable map is now available (click here … Newburn ).

Updated 9th September

 Weekend Ride, Saturday 13 September, meeting point, Newburn Leisure Centre, in the car park opposite the main building/ Big Lamp brewery. Time, 9:45. Route, something new, we’re heading north, distance 20 miles, duration 4 hours maximum. Please bring a packed lunch. Let me know (text message) if you are wishing to join us. Neil

Coast & Castles, a selection of C&C2 tour photographs were added today, please visit C&C 4 – 7th September page to see them.

Updated 31st August

Coast & Castles, C&C2 training ride photographs added today, please visit C&C training page to see them.

Updated 29th August

Hadrians Cycle Way, more photographs added today for HCW2 & HCW3.

Updated 25th August

Hadrians Cycle Way, a good selection of tour photographs have been added today for HCW2 & HCW3. Please visit your tour page to see them.

Updated 12th August

Hadrians Cycle Way, training ride photographs added for Tour 3, training ride number 3. Please visit the HCW training ride page to view these additions.

Updated 27th July

Hadrians Cycle Way, training ride photographs added today for Tours 2 & 3. Please visit the HCW training page to see a small selection.

Updated 25th July

History Rides, the third evening history ride is to take place on Monday 18th August. We will be exploring Sunniside & Whickham. Meeting at Watergate car park, start time 5:45, likely duration 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Updated 24th July

Hadrians Cycle Way, event photographs added today, visit ‘HCW 17th July….’ page to view them.

Updated 6th July

Hadrians Cycle Way, training photographs added, visit page ’17th to 20th July’ to see a selection of images.

History Rides, next ride will be Monday evening (time 5:45), meeting at ‘The Cycle Hub’. We will be exploring Gateshead this evening. The ride is anticipated to last 90 minutes, give or take.

Updated 26th June

Hadrians Cycle Way, the Tour End Point is in South Shields (not The Cycle Hub), there are directions to Arbeia Roman Fort, a map has been added to your tour page. A copy is also available here ( Directions to ‘Arbeia Roman Fort’). Apologies for any confusion, Neil.

Updated 23rd June

Coast to Coast Tour, a small selection of photographs were added today. To view them, simply visit the web page for your tour ’20th to 23rd June’. Neil

Updated 11th June

Evening History Rides, the first ride is to take place on Monday 16th June. Local historian and author Nick Neave will be delivering the important stuff and Neil will be providing his usual Trail Leader support. We are meeting at Watergate Park (click here for directions Watergate), arrival time 5:45, ride duration will be around 1 1/2 hours, give or take.

The chosen route will take in Watergate Pit, Fuger bar, Dunston station (the Rocket) and the local tram terminus before arriving at the Dunston Staiths.

Coast & Castles Tour 1, photographs added today.

Further History Ride dates, all Monday evenings, July 21st, August 18th, September 15th and possibly October 20th (light permitting).

Updated 30th May

Tours C2C, venue for training ride 3, 14th June. Training ride program hand out document  error. Venue now changed to Belle Vue Leisure Centre Post Code DH8 6LZ (was Ebchester Picnic Area).

Updated 23rd May

Tours HCW, training ride three, details for venue and route now published.

Weekday, photographs added, Monday 19th (Biddick) and YHN too.

Updated 20th May

Tours, photographs showing the accommodation for your three nights now added to Coast & Castles and Hadrians Cycle Way main pages.

Updated 15th May

Weekday, photographs and two movies added to ‘Spring’ page

Updated 12th May

C&C 1 and C2C 1, downloadable copies of meeting 10th May agendas added to tour pages.

Updated 11th May

Hadrians Cycle Way, tours 2 and 3, training ride 4, Sunday 10th August, venue changed to Consett Football Club (was Derwent Walk, Ebchester Picnic Area).

Weekend Ride, 10th May, photographs added.

Updated 8th May

Coast to Coast (C2C), directions to Lydgetts junction, map added to ‘training ride’ page.

Coast & Castles 1 (June) and Coast to Coast (June), training ride details and directions to venues now available as printed handouts. Please ask Neil for a copy next time you see him.

Updated 2nd May

There will be no rides on Monday 5th May, normal service will resume on Tuesday 6th.

Updated 28th April

Coast to Coast Training Ride 1, venue changed to Lintzford, Rowlands Gill (was Winlaton Mill).

Updated 27th April

Weekend ride photographs added for 26th April, visit Weekend main page to see them.

Updated 24th April

Please note: Our weekend ride program takes its annual summer break in mid May. May 10th will be our last weekend ride until the program restarts in September. As with last year, there will be a very limited number of places available to anyone wishing to join our Tour Training rides, these commence with the first Coast & Castles group, Saturday 17th May. Please visit the Tours training ride pages to see details of each training session.

Please note: Attention anyone joining us on one of our Cycle-Treks Tours this year. There is to be meeting on Saturday 10th May at The Cycle Hub (Newcastle Quayside), during which we will be outlining our plans for your Tour this year. Including, training rides, baggage & bike collection and taking any Tours related questions you may have.

We will also be collecting any missing shoe size details for those of you joining one of the three Hadrians Cycle Way Tours.

Photographs: Visit ‘Week Day – Spring’ page for recent photographs. Also new photographs added to the ‘Hadrians Cycle Way – main page’, these depict the various highlights to be enjoyed on day three of your tour.

Finally, details for the weekend ride, 10th May, have now been published. Please visit the ‘Next Ride Details’ page for all the relevant information.

Updated 19th April

Easter fun….

Latest MacKay Cycle Laboratories prototype unveiled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvA7hDh_vhY

Health & Safety, cycling tips video courtesy of Aidian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgMYKNoCXFs&feature=youtu.be

Updated 17th April

Public Liability Insurance details added to our ‘Contact Us’ page.

Updated 15th April

Easter break. Our rides will finish after the Winlaton Mill session on Wednesday 16th April and re-start again at Watergate Park on Tuesday 22nd April. Have a great break.

Updated 5th April

Ride details for Saturday 26th April added to ‘Week-end’ page.

Directions to each of the five weekday ride venues added, visit ‘Spring’ timetable page for links to the pdf files.

Photographs, galleries are being added to numerous pages. Please note, the ‘slideshow’ for each gallery takes time to load, please be patient, the photographs will appear.

Update 28th March

Week-End ride for 12th April. Start venue changed to the car-park at Lintzford Garden Centre (Rowlands Gill). See next ride page and click on the map link for full details.

Update 23rd March

New business launching Monday 7th April.

Website, this is nearing completion and all of the important information is now in place (I think). Some of the formatting needs further refinement, take a look at the spring week-day time table to see what I mean.

I’ll be taking a break, for one week, commencing 31st March in order to help Steve close CycleTrex and for me to get in to shape for Monday 7th April.

Keep visiting this page for regular updates.

YCS Neil