Can anyone tell me what the surface and trail is like on this section of the 686? I’m planning a cycle tour on road bikes and not clear on what it’s like under tyre….

https://plus.google.com/115908540013968101075/posts/MR8A9PKShgU

..i.e. the Pennine way

that is a specific request!

I can’t say I know the conditions are like but in general I’d be surprised if it is good tarmac. I ride around this part of the world and generally it is broken tarmac or gravel on tracks like that.

I often ride the cx bike with fat slicks and that is ok. If you are ridig a carbon race machine then probably not. If you are riding something a bit tougher with sensible wheels and 25-28mm then maybe.

Try this site it will let you find the road on a satellite image.

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

thanks Jonba – yes will probably be on a CX with slicks –

Can’t speak for the northern half, but the southern half is definitley on Classic kielder forest roads, think rough two inch hoggin – ok if you stay on the wheel lines but treacherous if you wander into a pile of loose hoggin.

Not sure how many non locals will understand ‘two inch hoggin’ 😉

Those roads over the ranges may well be well maintained (by the MoD) Tarmac – certainly some of them will be. I’ve ridden short sections of forestry tracks on a cx bike with slicks but it’s not much fun. Even 32c ‘cross tyres make it much better. Depends what the rest of your route is like I guess.

thanks chaps – not decided on rest of route yet – any recommendations for good quiet road routes down borders way welcome. Anywhere between Jedburgh and Hadrians Wall – M74 and East Coast

Rode that bit today (686). Slicks would have been nearly impossible. Maybe if it doesn’t rain for a few weeks (in Kielder does this ever happen?) but otherwise it would be grim. The Forest Drive from the A68 to Kielder would work and is doable on slick. you could then pick up the lakeside way and head to Bellingham. (I did the entire ride below on slicks. The bits north of Newcastle (bloody bush) were hellish but it didn’t kill me, the bit from the lake is fine and really quite pleasant. So combine the lakeside with forest drive?

http://www.strava.com/activities/56223655#1442310113

You could try coming in through Kielder, Belingham and Wark on the road. Bits of it can be prone to racers testing their engines (particularly the road along the lake) but it generally quite a nice ride. The other option could be to follow the border and come in along the military road (probably worse for the racers as there are plenty of blind summits. My preference is the lakeside bit as is much nicer.

http://www.strava.com/activities/156338582

I do a fair bit of riding around those parts, so post if you want any help. This post was an inspiration for a ride up that way today so thanks 😉

http://www.strava.com/activities/236221888