Alwinton .Northumberland ( Cheviot Hills) Thursday 5.1.23.

[The Hodge]

Kick off at 10.00pm in the village opposite the bus stop !
Heading out on Clennell Street ( don't worry it ain't tarmac ) hooking left to Murder Cleugh then over Barrow Law turn left to climb back over to Fairhaugh and down the Usway Burn to Shilmoor ( which is the excellent singletrack we had to miss out from last years big Cheviot ride due to " range anxiety ") then a greet big climb over Pass Peth and a drop back into Alwinton ..it ain't a huge ride 16.5 miles roughly ..although we could add bits on depending on conditions ( I'm thinking the ground could be wet / saturated and heavy going)..although my condition is the one I'm worried about most as I've done nothing for a couple of months while the bike has been away undergoing major surgery ..but I don't think you will feel too short changed at the end of it ..
So far me & Wayne..The EMF ( alway reminds me of a line from a Springsteen track 'Darlington County'.." Driving in to Darlington County ..me & Wayne on the 4th of July" .
And ..Jaco tbc ..
Probably not worth driving an enormous distance to get to this one ..but if you live in the North East ..its worth a look out

 

[Tonybro]

I'm out as back in work from Tuesday...

 

[Richywalker64]

I'm fitting a new bathroom at my daughters but I could be finished by Thursday hopefully, I'd love to come along and test the new bike if I am

 

[The Hodge]

Jaco now confirmed

 

[The EMF]

Good route…..the only bit of boggy stuff is from Murder Cleugh and the approach to the foot of Pass Peth after the singletrack from Shillmoor. This is a very good ride any time of the year.
Same as Neil I haven’t been much at in the last couple of months.
Thank the lord for Mr Bosch and his amazing Newton/Metres of torque.

 

[The Hodge]

Windy as hell here in the outer reaches of England at the moment ..with the added bonus of rain lashing the rear of the house ..however while the ground conditions tomorrow will be saturated ..it looks like the rain will have disappeared

New item by Neil Hodgson

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[The Hodge]

..should have mentioned wind (WSW )speed is currently averaging about 30mph ..
It's half that tomorrow

 

[The EMF]

See you the morn

 

[The Hodge]

The forecast has changed again with a good chance of rain from midday..and the wind strengthening later in the afternoon ..not enough to put me off though..

 

[Richywalker64]

Me neither see you there at 10
Are we parking in Alwinton village car park?

 

[The Hodge]

Not the car park next to the toilet block ..its the unofficial car park on your right as you enter Alwinton ( grassy) ..
Great that you can make it

 

[The Hodge]

Having met up at the appointed time ( apart from Jaco ..who is always late )we/I spent the time wondering how much fitness I had lost and whether the new warranted motor was going to play nice as I'd only tested it for roughly 200yds from my door since getting it back and also time to drool over Richy's new Cube ..
Rich & Wayne ..

The Godfather ..Jaco ..

True to forecast the sky was overcast but the rain held off ..and less than a few hundred yards into the ride Wayne did a "Jaco"and realised he had left his backpack in the car ( Jaco did this on a Garrigill ride last year about 2miles into the ride ..) ..my turn next ?
Once started though my fears about the bike were unfounded and it behaved impeccably in the slightly more than damp ground conditions ..
Clennell Street ( an old Drove Road )..

The climb from the foot of Hazely Law up to Murder Cleugh on an easy to miss / little used bridleway..

The footbridge near the property at Fairhaugh ..slippery as an eelskin and ridden at your peril..

A couple of " Group shots" by the side of the Usway Burn ..I have pictures in my collection of myself & Jaco on a blistering hot summers day from about 5yrs ago dangling our feet in the water to cool off ..not a consideration yesterday !
Richy & Wayne

Mystic Meg ,Jaco & Richy..

The lower reaches of one of the best bridleways in Northumberland ..Fairhaugh to Shilmoor..

For some reason I didn't take a pic of the techy little bridleway from Shillmoor to the foot of the steepest climb of the day at Pass Peth ..or the view of the magnificent Upper Coquet Valley & River from the top ..probably too busy trying to catch my breath !
A nice grassy drop to the road and a pint in the Rose & Thistle in front of a roaring log burner ( cheers Richy) ..completed an excellent day out ..and my legs didn't feel half as bad as I thought they would !

 

[The EMF]

Love it

 

[Richywalker64]

Excellent day out and a great write up/pics, cheers guys

 

[philmedomsley]

Great ride report and photos.

 

[Teriatric]

I really hope to tag along with you gents some time when the weather is right, I just love the real God's Country. But I'm an old softie now! Question for The Hodge though - if I do crop up at all chances are I'll have pure pedal power company, is that permitted? (all my ride buddies are quicker than me without motors!).

 

[The Hodge]

I really hope to tag along with you gents some time when the weather is right, I just love the real God's Country. But I'm an old softie now! Question for The Hodge though - if I do crop up at all chances are I'll have pure pedal power company, is that permitted? (all my ride buddies are quicker than me without motors!).

Of course that's OK..we aren't competitive..yeah we still like a blast on the downhills ..and with these bikes look forward to the ups just as much ..but the bottom line is that we enjoy being in each others company on rides which are " social " ..
Just keep an eye on the rideout section ..and join us whenever you are ready ..

 

[Teriatric]

Great stuff, thanks. That's the way we do it doon the toon aswell.