Sunday Nov 2, 2008:

Sunday started off a bit frosty but soon turned into a beautiful Autumn day with plenty of sunshine, clear skies and a light breeze. A total of 17 riders turned out, 7 using the trailer and others making their own way there from various points.

The Williams family, Geoff Juliet and David, had a bit of early bad luck as they all suffered from a puncture! Occupational hazard? 3 at once? No, this one was on the car 200 yards from home! But they got there and everybody had a really enjoyable day. He we all are, except the photographer of course, ready for the off:

Before the ride even started the driver of the car pulling the trailer, now hiding behind the camera, got it stuck in the muddy wet grass trying to get the trailer squared up and had to enlist the help of ‘volunteers’ to push it back onto the tarmac. No names, no pack drill, but who’s missing from the shot?

We decided to split into 2 groups instead of 3 as it was felt the loops nearer the lake would be easy to navigate for a bunch of roadies used to being on autopilot or fly-by-wire. Pity really as getting lost is all part of the fun; at least that’s usually our excuse.

The faster group went anti-clockwise around the lake from the Hawkhope car park and soon arrived at the castle so tried one of the skills loops, the blue (easy) one, and pronounced that quite technical enough for roadies. So most of that group did the blue grade Castle Hill 12km loop plus an extra few miles up and back down the Forest Drive. Uneventful apart from some choice language from a farmer whose sheep didn’t like bikes - should have raised them on 2 wheels instead of wellies, I reckon. For three more intrepid members of that group the blue grade was obviously boring so they chose to cover the red grade loop instead.

The other group took it a bit more leisurely in a clockwise direction along the Lakeside Way and stopped at Leaplish for tea and stuff, then again at the castle for more tea and stuff. Then some tried the blue grade skills loop and all rode back along the north side. We presume they kept all the tea and stuff down but weren’t there to witness this astonishing feat.

The faster group were taken aback by the good quality of the Lakeside Way and also its length, as it winds in and out of all the coves and headlands, and the trip took longer than expected.

And guess which trailer jockey got flashed by the speed camera at Riding Mill on the way home? Welcome back!

Altogether a great day for all with something for everyone. We’ll have to do it again before too long.

Oct 25, 2008:

Three basic routes are suggested and riders can choose the route that suits them best, and adjust the route on the day if they like, and all routes will start at finish at the dam car park.

Route 1: An easy route of about 18km through Falstone then following bridleways over Pope Hill to Highfield, Waterhead, Sidwood, over Thorneyburn Common to Slatyford and a section of quiet unclassified road back to Falstone, where there’s a nice cafe, then back to the dam. This route can be extended by about 11km by adding a loop from Highfield via Emblehope and Comb and rejoining the original route near Waterhead. Suitable for mtbs and hybrids with stout tyres.

Route 2: Another easy route but a bit longer at 33km and suitable for mtbs and hybrids with stout tyres, and possibly a bit easier to follow. Follow the reservoir along its southern shore past Tower Knowe and Leaplish etc to Kielder Castle where there’s a good cafe for those who want a rest and refreshment. That’s about the half way point. Then return down the north shore using either the forestry paths or the narrower and slightly more technical woodland tracks. Some of these tracks are still under development so it’s hard to say what’s ready and what’s not.

Route 3: The same as route 2 to warm up on then starting at Kielder Castle there’s quite a variety of routes to add varying from simple to suicidal! The Deadwater trail at 16km features either the red route, which is challenging, or the black route for the hard (nut) cases! Or for the less adventurous there’s the Border Line route along an old railway line to Deadwater farm and back, about 11 easy km. Another possibility is the Castle Hill Route, a blue route of around 12km starting and finishing at the Castle.

Maps will be available for each route but more details of routes 2 and 3 can be found by following the link to The Bike Place Kielder website:

index.php?option=static&page_id=2498&pname=Trail%20Information

Before leaving the start point riders can make final arrangements for route adjustments and meeting up points etc, then join the group of their choice.

Will all riders please confirm with Peter in advance so we know who to expect, and don’t wait for people who aren’t coming!

Sunday Sep 8, 2008:

….saw the first off-road run organised for the full club, although many that turned out weren’t members but were welcome anyway. Our new 12 bike trailer will be pressed into service for the first time for the next off-road club ride, this time to Kielder. Details are being worked out and will be posted in good time, but it’s scheduled for Sunday Nov 2.

Most members own and use mountain or other off-road bikes but a particular area for development for us would be a dynamic off-road section, supporting racing and leisure riding both. Anyone living locally who might be interested in getting involved, please feel free to let us know - see our contacts page. We welcome new blood, either as regular members, competitors or aspiring committee members and organisers.

It’s intended that the club holds regular off-road rides, especially over the winter to avoid potentially dangerous roads, which could be as often as fortnightly as long as they’re well supported. So come along and keep them going! More later.