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I've got a day to myself at the in laws this week, based in Berwick but happy to drive for a spot to ride. Any recommendations of where to go? I've got a 160mm trail bike with me so don't want a gravel ride, happy with some hike-a-bike if necessary, but otherwise a general trail ride is sweet.
Is it worth ticking the box of getting to the top of The Cheviot?
The obvious spots with 160mm travel would be Penmanshiel or Thrunton. Neither would give you the "day out in the hills" experience though. If that's what you're after heading into the Cheviots from Wooler could work but the Cheviot itself is not really notable as a riding experience unless you get amazingly dry/frozen conditions (views are good though). Linking Wooler, Cocklawfoot/Hownam and Alwinton would give several options for a more "Cheviots" experience and a bit in the woods at Wooler Common to start/finish.
Rode Penmanshiel (Scotland, not Northumberland) last weekend, not far north from Berwick and while not the biggest place the trails that are there are good for a 160mm bike and were riding well, nice and dry
Thanks, I'll take as look at areas suggested. Not necessarily after super gnar, just didn't want to waste anyone's time suggesting a coastal bimble xc ride ( which would be lovely, just a ball ache on the bike I've got with me! )
Did this recently. You get up high but it's an XC ride. Some sections were pretty wet after some huge rains the night before, but also looked very unused (tall grass, no worn trail), so I wonder if the commonly used route has deviated from the mapped bridleway and published gpx in recent years.
Thrunton has very little to offer since Arwen. They’re still clearing it up and felling parts of it.
Windy Gyle is a good hill to head up from Alwinton up Clennel street and the ridge. Descending down Slimefoot.
If you can get hold of a copy in time, a couple of options in this book along the lines @Drac mentioned:
Just to follow up, thanks again for all the suggestions. I popped up to Penmanshiel, perfect riding for the bike I had. Fairly steep and rooty, several trails to take a look at / session. The weather help up and it was perfect dry riding conditions.
It would have been challenging in the wet with all those off camber roots.
Just had a spin round Thrunton for the first time this year. Still think it's the best riding of it's type in the NE, regardless of the storm damage. Really good conditions and worth squeezing in a trip if you rated Penmanshiel.