Originally planned for 2015, I am afraid that this one was scuppered as a group holiday. In February 2015, the YHA at Keilder closed; this was to be our strategic start and finish point. It is an absolute shame that, a location as magical as this, it could not attract enough “customers”, and that the decision was made not to renew the licence with the local council landlord. I feel it is a sad testament to our time … hostels seem to be closing at a faster rate than country pubs!

I am however, convinced that something will come of the vacant building in the form of budget accommodation (maybe an independent hostel?), as the economy picks up. For this reason, I am going to leave the route in place hopefully for future use. There is an alternative start and finish point possible just south of Keilder, by the way(???).

I have put an incredible amount of work into this and sincerely hope I can complete it in the future. It seems too good to waste and is available for anyone to use … all that’s required to fully complete the ‘paperwork’ is accommodation details.

I can not remember working in such a diverse area; it can be subdivided thus: Forests & Reservoirs / Mountains & Valleys / Castles & Islands / Rivers & Country Estates.

This was the plan! …

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Introduction:

Northumberland Round 20xx (N 0 R)

Northumberland has to be the last truly wild and unspoilt part of England(?). I have once again drawn on my knowledge of the area to suggest it as this year’s cycling holiday offering. Chris and I produced a big walking show up here some years ago … we spent many an hour travelling up and down ‘The Great North Road’ to our base at Alnwick undertaking our reconnoitre duties! I have also enjoyed a couple of family holidays here so I know what beautiful coastal riches it has. My third (and extremely happy) recollection is watching the RAC Lombard Rally in the massive Keilder Forest in pitch blackness … I always promised myself a return.

Logistically it is (comparatively) very simple to arrange … although the cycling is pretty much in line with the other holidays. What I mean is that because it is a circular, you can arrange your own transport. Also, the national park is well served with youth hostels … making this a more budget-friendly option. Traditionally I have selected May, but I am aware that we are that much further north and summer will not have fully kicked in (on the C2C we had snow in Swaledale!). Therefore September should be preferable(?) … possibly even August, as there are fewer constraints (in this quiet part of the world) as in say, Devon & Cornwall during school holidays.

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I have outlined the following below: Costings / Statistics / Itinerary / Training Routes / see also our “Cycling Holidays” Page, for additional information …Vinnie

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Itinerary:

ARRIVAL DAY: xxxx – Travel by car to start point (155 miles = XXX hours + 30 mins break)

I want to arrive early enough to explore this magnificent and unique part of the world! I have come up with several options:

• Cycling (luggage-free) around the mighty Keilder Water (reservoir) … the largest man-made lake in northern Europe!                                                            

OPTIONS – PART OFF-ROADING = 15.25 or 10.5 miles / A&D 1775 or 1220 feet (plus a ferry crossing in the middle!)

• Various water activities (canoeing / rowing-boating / sailing) – www.visitkeilder.com/play/adventure/water-activities
• Keilder Observatory – this award-winning site is a 2-mile cycle ride away via Vampire Forest (not sure why it’s called that???) – www.keilderobservatory.org
• Birds of Prey Centre / Indoor heated swimming pool

ACCOMMODATION – YHA, Keilder £18 shared / £39 private

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DAY ONE: xxxx – Cycle from Keilder to KELSO. Distance 36.5 (36.5) miles / Ascent 3050 feet / Descent 3550 feet / Zenith @ Rushy Rig 1215 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

This is a challenging opening day, as we skirt around the mighty Cheviots. Deep valleys and remote mountain passes will eventually give way to the gentler terrain of the Border country.

Kelso is

ACCOMMODATION – Kelso £35 shared / £55 private

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DAY TWO: xxxx – Cycle from Kelso to BERWICK on TWEED. Distance 32 (58.5) miles / Ascent 1850 feet / Descent 1850 feet / Zenith @ Wormerlaw 205 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

A gentler day in-store, set in the Scottish Borders. We follow the mighty River Tweed as it heads east towards the sea. One magnificent stately home after another should  nicely distract our attention and keep us reaching for our cameras (and a rare opportunity to see how the poor people live!).

Exploring the dark history and ancient abbey towns

Berwick-upon-Tweed

ACCOMMODATION – Berwick £16 shared / £29 private

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DAY THREE: xxxx – Cycle from Berwick to HOLY ISLAND. Distance 14.5 (73) miles / Ascent 600 feet / Descent 650 feet / Zenith @ Redshin Cove 105 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

An extremely relaxed and easy seaside ride to the incredible island of Lindisfarne. We will be dictated by access to the causeway, but I envisage us getting there as soon as we can and enjoying our time sightseeing or paddling in the sea!

Lindisfarne is

CAUSEWAY SAFE CROSSING: 08:50 to 15:20 (allow 1/2 hour either side)

ACCOMMODATION – Holy Island £100 room

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DAY FOUR: xxxx – Cycle from Holy Island to ALNWICK. Distance 38.5 (111.5) miles / Ascent 2250 feet / Descent 2100 feet / Zenith @ Longlee 355 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

CAUSEWAY SAFE CROSSING: 09:15 to 15:55 (allow 1/2 hour either side)

A long day but a coastal-hugging treat. This promises to show the very best of the county (and the country) along quiet country lanes and cycleways, interrupted by a host of seaside places and castles.

Alnwick is 

ACCOMMODATION – YHA, Alnwick £20 shared

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DAY FIVE: xxxx – Cycle from Alnwick to BYRNESS. Distance 36.5 (148) miles / Ascent 3500 feet / Descent 3000 feet / Zenith @ Gowk Hill 905 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

This long, challenging day will take us back into the heart of the national park. A blend of vast forests and long riverside roads.

Byrness is a tiny hamlet … this is our relaxing ‘night in’ at our hostel, enjoying a glass or two of celebratory sherry and listening to music from that world-renowned talent … DJ Fox.

ACCOMMODATION – YHA, Byrness £

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DAY SIX: xxxx – Cycle from Byrness to KEILDER. Distance 14 (162) miles / Ascent 1400 feet / Descent 1500 feet / Zenith @ Blakehope Nick 1492 feet / Time X hours XX minutes + breaks

We end our adventure with a slice of mischief! (no looking at the map). We take on one of England’s highest roads, with BREATHTAKING views to match.

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