Sunday mornings are still the time set aside for a bike ride - 9.30 am meet at The Delaval Arms - and seven Backpedalers set off on what looked to be a promising day.
The aim was to have a pleasant, gentle ride in convivial company (known as a bimble) so the group started by heading south towards St Mary's Island and on to the promenade at Whitley Bay. A right turn at the Rendezvous Cafe led up Monkseaton Drive then on to the old railway line through Holywell Dene. Once The Avenue was reached, the group turned west, passed through Seaton Delaval then up to Mare's Close and round the north side of Seghill. The track past Jolley's led on to Fisher Road, Backworth Lane and a short stretch of the Reivers Route. From here, the group followed the waggonway through to Killingworth Village.
The track down past Holystone School led on to a short on-road section until the turn into Rising Sun Country Park was reached.
The Country Park Cafe is notable for its home made cakes and scones and on this occasion Dandelion and Burdock cake was on offer.
A leisurely break was followed by a ride through the country park taking care to avoid the local wildlife.
A ride through a housing estate then underneath the Coast Road led into Wallsend Dene and the opportunity to join the eastbound section of NCN 72 leading to the Royal Quays. From here it was back up to Shiremoor via the Reivers Route before joining the track leading to Jolley's and Seghill Main Street. Continuing on the main road, the group headed back into Seaton Delaval and used the cycle path down The Avenue to return to Seaton Sluice.
35 miles were completed with no notable incidents.
