Tour_2023

Used the NCN routes to head down the Tyne through Tynemouth and then up the coast.

Decent weather until Blyth where the cycle route signs seem to be missing.

Long and tiring day so had dinner in Cafe Tirreno, lovely lasagne and then a pint in The John Bull, very friendly folk there.

Hilly at first but then a disused railway took us to Durham and a look at the Cathedral.

Lunch in doors to get out of the rain.

Picked up a BCQ in the square the headed north to Dunston.

Nice easy run to Brough then a long slog over to Middleton in Teesdale and lunch.

The red flags were flying on the ride up warning us to stay on the road.

Red flags above Brough

In the afternoon we thought it was one hill to get over to Stanhope but there's a big valley to cross half way over so it's actually two climbs.

Very hot in Stanhope, luckily there was an ice cream van at the ford, stopped for an hour.

Then Crawleyside Bank, a 'classic' apparently and a lung busting ascent for us.

Cosy night in at Edmunbyers, fifty years since our first stay at this Youth Hostel.

An early start today, lot's of climbing today and the weather hot and sunny.

The day started with a cleg biting a hole in my leg at Winton.

Approaching Tan Hill

We didn't stop at Tan Hill but instead enjoyed Arkengarthdale and had lunch in Reeth.

Second lunch was in Muker at the tearoom with the CTC winged wheel.

After Keld a storm came in and suddenly is was cold and we were lashed with horizontal rain going over Birkdale Common.

Dinner out in the evening with our pals George, Kit and Alex.

Day 5 A seaside ride to Alnwick