MacRetro chat and rides thread

[clockworkgazz]

I would be interested in this one, but given the jedburgh run was a bit of a damp squib it would maybe be good for someone close by to recce the route to make sure it is ridable?

 

[The Ken]

I agree, it's a long way to come to ride across fields for me - a recce would be good.
I drove past a few bits of the SU way on my way to drum and it didn't look inspiring, but I may have been too far across.

Kielder area looks not bad and there are some nice spots along Hadrian's Wall. Alternatively what is the coast like for cycling? Some fantastic Castles and smokehouses on the Northumbrian side.

 

[kaya]

As I neared home on saturday after the Blue Man I realised that despite living in Northumberland for 13 years I have yet to tackle the big hills on the horizon that I see every day. There is said to be some epic riding in those Cheviot Hills. How about a Two Tribes ride. You guys start in Scotia, we will start in Englandshire and meet up and ride the Border Ridge? We have nothing planned for late september/ early october.We have had some good NE/ MacRetro rides in the past and we are well overdue another!

Si

Dam fine idea sir, I was going to get the darts & map out but I think you may have just saved me a job.

I would think late September would be best if possible as we still have some day light left and maybe dare I say some sunshine.

Will have a looksee in my maps to see if Ive anything for the area, all suggestion's welcome

 

[Dr S]

I will ask the local group who I ride midweeks with. They ride on sundays so I haven't been on the longer rides, but they know the cheviots well. I could also ask Derek Purdy who wrote a book on routes up there. Finally, oldgit Simonside knows a few routes around Wooler and in the Cheviots- they will be good because he hates bland rides.

Si

 

[kaya]

I will ask the local group who I ride midweeks with. They ride on sundays so I haven't been on the longer rides, but they know the cheviots well. I could also ask Derek Purdy who wrote a book on routes up there. Finally, oldgit Simonside knows a few routes around Wooler and in the Cheviots- they will be good because he hates bland rides.

Si

Don't forget to make sure theres a pub/cake shop half way round

 

[velomaniac]

The north cheviots between kirk Yetholm on our side and Wooler in Englandshire look to have potential for mtb with lots of steep sided valleys but there seems precious little trees and thus cover if the elements get out of hand. Bit short on pubs or cafes too, needs more thought :?

The petrol station on the A68 near byrness and Catcleugh reservoir has a tearoom attached if memory serves me right. There is a YHA hostel at Byrness aswell if anyone needed a place to stay. There are woodland plantations and hills all around there

 

[velomaniac]

Further thinking and an OS map suggests it'd be possible to get from Bonchester Bridge near Hawick through Waughope Forest, skirt East Kielder Moor and into Redesdale Forest to descend on Byrness if that was an idea worth trying. I've got the week after The Peaks meet off so I could do some recon in that area or where ever we decide to aim for.

 

[Dr S]

Byrness Cafe is closed down Velo. Shame as they did a cracking breakfast en route to Inners or GT. I think it had been struggling for some time. I remember it being a really busy little place back in the 1980's when we would head north to the borders every november for the RAC rally. That cafe was always a godsend after another freezing night sleeping in the back of my fathers car.

I have heard great things about a cafe/ cake shop/ pub type thing in one of the Cheviot Valleys. No idea where it is but the local group go every year on boxing day for a full turkey dinner fuelled epic ride. I will make enquiries today.

 

[velomaniac]

What about forgetting a 2 tribes cross border raid and just have a meet in the Upper Coquetdale (is that spelled right :? ) valley which I have seen reference to having good mtb potential in the surrounding Cheviots. Further theres this pub [/url]http://www.roseandthistlealwinton.com/aboutus.html with an aptly titled name at the ... civilisation one might get a bite to eat at.

 

[The Ken]

Could just drag you southerners up to glencoe/fort bill area instead, Mr P is trying to sort something out for late sept/early oct.