Planning for the Kielder Kaper, aka Cycle Challenge 2016, is now at an advanced stage. Riders have been recruited and accommodation booked so details of the route can now be revealed.
A major change is that next year’s route will start and finish at the Delaval Arms making organisation much easier. The event will take place over the weekend of May 28-30 2016 and involve cycling approximately 155 miles in the Northumbrian countryside.
Day 1 – Delaval Arms to Bellingham.
Starting at the Delaval Arms, the route heads south on NCN 1 towards Tynemouth before joining the Reivers Route (NCN 10) at North Shields. We will stay on the Reivers all the way to Bellingham, a distance of 55 miles and climbing 2 355 feet along the way.
After an overnight frost, the morning was cool and clear as a small group of Backpedalers set off towards Ponteland along the Reivers Route. The track was an interesting mix of ice and mud (and thorns) but not a problem for experienced cyclists. Weetslade Country Park was reached in good time.
It seemed like a good idea to plan a 60 mile round trip taking in some of the more demanding sections of the Reivers Route on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year so far - and to some people's surprise, that's exactly how it turned out.
Thirteen Backpedalers turned up for the twelfth training ride and set off towards Backworth and Killingworth to join the Reivers Route heading towards Ponteland. The now obligatory visit to the summit in Weetslade Country Park was included in the itinerary.
The route to Ponteland was familiar to most of the riders but beyond that was unknown territory. It passes through Darras Hall along the line of an old railway which ran to Belsay Colliery and then emerges on the west side of Ponteland. A short (but interesting) section then leads to a country lane which heads towards Stamfordham.
It was here that the group arrived at what turned out to be the highlight of the day - a new coffee stop.
Raggy Heirlooms is right next to the Reivers Route and caters for cyclists in need of a coffee and bacon sandwich.
Six Backpedalers turned out on Friday morning and were rewarded with bright, clear, but slightly chilly conditions.
The group set off along the old railway line towards Monkseaton Drive then rode through South Wellfield and Shiremoor before joining the Reivers Route at Backworth. Once through Backworth the route travels along a section of the Killingworth Waggonway and then on to the Burradon Waggonway which eventually leads to Weetslade Country Park.
The Country Park is on the site of what was Weetslade Colliery and one of its features is a hill which had previously been the Weetslade Colliery spoil heap.
Leaving the country park and following the Reivers Route, the next section passes by Wideopen and Seaton Burn before heading due west towards Ponteland. An interesting feature of the journey is the road which passes through Prestwick Carr. Subsidence has turned the mile long road into a test of the bike's suspension and the rider's saddle.
Once completed, it is a short trip into Ponteland and Jan's Kitchen.
