We're staying near Alnwick (about 20 mins north up the A1) at the end of July. Obviously, I want to to do some riding, and it would be good to get some rides in with the little one too.Â
Any recommendations?Â
Kielder is an hour and 45 mins away, and Peebles is nearly two hours so they're both gonna be a bit of a stretch. We're not far from the Cheviots - I guess there must be some good riding there, but it's not an area I know.Â
Are there any easier little loops we could do? For reference she rides the Blue at Sherwood. We also like pump tracks and scenic rides.Â
Anything else I should be looking at?Â
Cheers!Â
Loads of options for you around Wooler and Simonside - about 30 mins from Alnwick. Check out Derek Purdy's book on Northumberland routes. Ted Liddle's books for gravel rides might give inspiration for rides with the little one. Certainly scenic rides!
I'll try and post a couple of Komoot routes we've done up there later, but sure plenty of other folks will be along to help out too.
I had a few hours on a nice little hill in Thrunton Woods, about 20mins away. Unfortunately the forestry had been in a couple of weeks before I got there so some of the trails were no longer rideable, but the remaining trails were good fun and the climb back up isn't bad at all.
Might be worth checking the forestry haven't cleared everything now though!
Edit: I missed the bit about the little one. Might be a bit much, as it's a Winch & Plummet type hill
There's a pump track and some small jumps in Alnwick. I was also going to suggest Thrunton but there's nothing easy other than the fire roads and they're fairly steep.
big old cheviots loop from Alwinton. done it a few times. big hills big views.
through kidland forest to uswayford
up onto the ridge to windy gyle.
down through trow, rowhope, fairhaugh and end with usway burn.
all good fun.
Ace, sounds like a few options there.Â
Wooler is only 20 mins so a nice big loop in the hills could work. Thrunton looks fun but it's a bit further, so we'll see there.Â
Pump track sounds interesting though!
That literally is my backdoor.
I don’t ride at all these days, most have answered.
Alnwinton area for big hills, Thrunton have some trails in but Storm Arwen wrecked them I think some are back though. Ingram and Wooler also good for loops of rolling hills.
The pump track is in a little housing estate easy to drive too.
I no longer have any of the routes I created for here and others mags but @ben_haworth may be able to locate a copy.Â
Enjoy your holiday if you want some local knowledge for other stuff happy to help.Â
Penmanshiel is worth a look but not beginner friendly, its straight up the A1 just north of St Abbs so might be too far away. Not a big place and only around 7 or 8 trails, very much winch and plummet style riding but really good if off piste enduro type trails is an option for a child free days riding, strava heatmap/trailforks should help with finding the trailsÂ
