Fat Bloke on a BikeAnything from 45 – 90 minutes out on the road
This was nothing more than a leg stretch. Repositioning ready to catch the ferry to Belfast tomorrow. 
The views of Loch Ryan were impressive and I encountered a group of Northern Irish moped riders in Stranraer.
Day totals: 14 miles, 668ft of climbing
Tour totals: 472 miles, 17662ft of climbing
Glorious weather predicted and the prospect of quiet roads, because of big TV audiences for the Royal wedding. A good reason to be putting on my cycling shoes in Barnard Castle at 8.30 am. The air was still cool down by the Tees and on the road up to Romaldkirk. Up the lanes past Hury and Blackton reservoirs, then over the tops to Grassholme reservoir and out over Mickleton Moor on the road to Brough. The road topped out at 1550ft just after the county border to give me stunning views out over Cumbria to North Yorkshire and the peaks of the Lake District. I dropped into the Eden Valley losing 1,000ft in five miles and rolled through Brough for a cake stop at the Pink Geranium cafe in Kirkby Stephen.
Then climb through Nateby and up over Lamps Moss, a two and a half mile climb averaging 8%, but with stretches much steeper. The signs said 20%. I was caught and passed by several other cyclists. It was such a beautiful day, but I was struggling to catch my breath.
The climb topped out at 1650ft and 32 miles into my ride, I crossed into my third county of the day. Upper Swaledale is glorious. Glorious! And such a joy to ride downhill. I used every advantage gravity can give, but my breathing got worse and a wheeziness became a whistle. By the time I reached Reeth, I was really sruggling. I crawled into the Dales Bike Centre at Fremmington and collapsed on the grass.
Coffee, a good sandwich and an enormous slice of cake later, I thought I was ready to push on, but a mile up the road after climbing and 250ft, I knew my day was done. I had to do something I’ve not done in years: make the call of shame. I called home to be picked up.
It was an excellent ride. Will definitely go back to complete it at some point soon.
50 miles; 4,485ft of hills; 4h 33m in the saddle
There is little better than being out early in the Durham Dales. Quiet roads, stunning landscapes, and the chance to rub shoulders with our wonderful wildlife. It’s my favourite time of day and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by bike.
Hamsterley Forest makes an excellent starting point for a ride. There’s plenty of parking and good facilities at the visitor centre. And to get you started the National Cycle Network’s route 70 follows Forest Drive for the better part of five miles’ traffic free riding tracking Bedburn Beck deep into the forest. The forest is full of quietness this morning. It’s just me, a few mountain bikers heading off on the forest trails, the odd dog walker and some squirrels scurrying away as my tyres crunch on the gravel. The challenge of following route 70 is the monumentally steep hill from the forest up to the Woodland road. There’s no shame in walking your bike up the steeper parts.
There are spectacular views as route 70 strikes out across the moorland towards Eggleston. On a previous ride I was joined here for a short stretch by a barn owl gliding over the hedgerows in search of breakfast. This morning I’m treated to lapwings peewitting their courtship in the air above me. The official Hamsterley to Barnard Castle cycle route turns to Kinninvie, but I head to the top of Langleydale and get a peak of the high Pennine fells from the gloriously named Folly Top that stands on the watershed between Weardale and Teesdale.
It’s hard for a cyclist to argue with five miles downhill cycling anywhere. Here, overlooking Teesdale, it would be impossible. I’m soon following cycle route signs through quiet residential streets to Barnard Castle’s bustling Horse Market.
The town has an impressive collection of traditional independent shops that still outnumber more recognisable chain stores. And its smattering of antique and collectable shops would get even the most reluctant of shoppers bargain hunting. But I’m here to see the sights and taste the delights, so I head for the sheltered bike parking offered by the Witham Arts Centre.
The Witham is the beating cultural heart of this rural market town. A fabulous not-for-profit enterprise, housing a gallery, gift shop, and versatile performance space that hosts famous comedians, folk music, live drama and other performances. Right in the middle of the Horsemarket, it’s great as a base for touring the town. And it has a busy cafe serving homemade food, good coffee and freshly baked cakes. What a fabulous place to stop.
Coffee and a sandwich in the Dispensary Cafe followed by a glorious slice of Victoria sandwich sets me up for the second half of the trip.
Barnard castle has a lot to offer and I can’t resist a little tour before setting off. Arriving in town from the east, you’d be forgiven for missing the castle at first. The entrance of the building that gives the town its name sits behind the Methodist Church at the bottom of Galgate. (Find the Post Office and look downhill). At the other end of the Market, the weather vane on the impressive Market Cross bears the scars of a local legend that says two men used it as the target in a contest to see which of them was the better shot. If the holes were made by the shots they fired, I’m not sure the matter was settled at all. And a mile and a half a loop out over the Tees to the eerie ruins of Egglestone Abbey.
Cycle route 165, takes me out of town past the the Bowes Museum, an unlikely French-style chateau purpose-built as a museum by John and Josephine Bowes in 1869, and on through Westwick, Whorlton, Little Newsham and South Cleatham.
Nine miles from Barnard Castle, Staindrop village oozes medieval heritage. It’s pubs, post office, shop and cafes offer the chance for a breather before the final leg of the trip.
Out past the impressive St Mary’s Church at the eastern end of the village, the Darlington road takes me to the back lanes around Wackerfield and up to cross the A688 at the Sun Inn.
Descending into the Gaunless valley at Esperly, the farming landscape starts to include echoes of the area’s industrial heritage. A steep climb through Low Lands to High Lands and there are two miles of descent to enjoy before a one last climb up into Hamsterley village. A mile-long valedictory roll down to Bedburn and I’m back at Hamsterley Forest visitor centre.
This route is an extremely enjoyable 33-mile day out with mostly moderate hills. It is suitable for riders of all abilities with touring, gravel and mountain bikes.
Getting back on your bike after a crash isn’t the easiest thing to do. I didn’t ride for three months after a crash on my mountain bike in 2012, then when I did get out there were riders with tassels and stabilizers who had more confidence than me. It took months of riding and eventually a new bike (any excuse!) to get my confidence and roadcraft back to useful levels.
It’s generally no more than a loss of confidence that takes time to rebuild. And sometime a push helps.
My sister got into cycling earlier this year and has been making really good progress, regularly getting out for 30 miles and more. A few weeks ago she hit the deck hard after a saddle bolt sheared and she lost her balance. She spent a few days in hospital with head and facial injuries and and assortment of scrapes bruises and other fractures – I thought some big-brother encouragement would help, even in middle age
, so I slung the bike on my new Saris Bones car rack and headed down to Wiltshire.
We started out in the pretty little village of Whiteparish on the edge of the New Forest National Park. A short stint on a very wet A27 through the village’s attractive mismatch of ivy-covered cottages and down a lane to cross the A36 into the Forest. Narrow, twisting lanes with high hedgerows, high banks and tall trees – the kind where a deer is likely to pop out at any point – took us to up to Redlynch. Wet lanes covered in grit and gravel washed out by the rain didn’t make ideal conditions for someone on their first ride after a crash, but she looked confident and I was probably more worried for her than she was.
Long, mostly level road out across the forest and the rain was really coming down. My sister complaining that her lack of bike time made her unfit. We joined the Fordingbridge to Cadnam road for a mile, it’s designated a B road, but is busy and treated like a trunk road by the traffic using it, so we cycled single file for the mile or so up to a crossroads where we turned back  to Nomansland down the hill Pipers Wait – steep and twisty, be warned – and on to Landford.
An unpleasant mile and a half on the A36 (the route suggested here is amended to avoid that) took us back to Common Road and into Whiteparish. A thoroughly enjoyable wet ride in lovely countryside.
The Book
Distance – 18 Miles
Profile – Easy:Â 550ft
Starting at All Saints Church in Whiteparish, take the 27 west through the village for 1/3 mile. Turn South on Newton Lane, cross A36 to Moor Lane and continue to the end. At The junction, turn right signposted Downton/Redlynch and follow the road to the top of Bowers Hill at Woodfalls; turn left. Follow the B3080 through Woodfalls and onto Forest Road towards Cadnam. Three miles to the junction with B3078 and go straight on for another mile to the crossroads at the top of the hill signposted Landford/Nomansland, turn left. Steep incline warning for the hill at Pipers Wait, through Nomansland past the Lamb Inn and to the crossroads signposted Salisbury/Lyndhurst. Turn Left (North) towards Landford. After a mile you’ll reach a junction signposted Hamptworth Golf and Country Club, turn left (West) and follow the road for three miles back to the junction signposted Whiteparish. Turn right (North) and retrace your path along MoorLane, across the A36 and Newton Lane to join the A27 back into Whiteparish.
Where to Park
We started in Whiteparish, because it was easy to get to from the A36. There’s plenty of on street parking and All Saints Church in the centre of the village has a large car park.
Places to eat
Whiteparish has the King’s Head and Parish Lantern pubs. Both serve food every day
Woodfalls Inn at Woodfalls near Redlynch on the route has a great menu and good coffee
The Lamb Inn at Nomansland serves a great menu and fabulous beer. Ample parking here makes it a good alternative start/finish point.
We started out with a flapjack and a coffee from the friendly people in Whiteparish Post Office across the road from the church.
 
