We are living here for a bit and I still haven’t found anywhere that great to ride. Holywell dene is quite nice but short, and there are nice but boring cycle paths but that seems about it. Where does anyone ride in this flat, flat land?!

I have seen lots of people on “trail/enduro” type bikes (I should stop them and ask I guess) but I feel over biked on a rigid 29er, thats not to say I am a riding god or that people shouldn’t ride there big bikes but I am bored.

Are there trails out there (30 min ride from whitley bay area) or does everyone drive out to somewhere better?
Thanks in advance.

you’re looking at a drive at least. pretty good location to be honest, we are right in the middle of scotland and the lakes so hour and half drive to either. for somewhere closer try chopwell.

Cheers, what I expected. Sadly coming from living most of my life in scotland with trails on the doorstep it’s very hard to see this as a “good location”!
Thanks for the reply.

I have seen lots of people on “trail/enduro” type bikes

I’ve never been anywhere where so many people ride full sus trail bikes with narrow semi-slicks.

Thrunton, Chopwell, Simonside, the Cheviots, the North Pennines are all reasonably close and there’s lots of little woods here and there which you can link up. Have a look at the Strava heatmap for faint fuzzies and you can find some nice surprises.

I’m local and there ain’t that much about to be honest.
As said chopwell is good for a couple of hours or head a bit further out.
There is a few bits of hills and muddy parts dotted about but it’s mainly bridal ways etc to link them up.
Newcastle mtb club ride every Thursday from beside asda in Benton. Good way of finding a few routes.

I lived in Newcastle for 5 years and can say the riding was fantastic.

20 mins out the city past metro centre, into the valleys around chopwell, further out into prudhoe

Miles and miles of great xc trails and lots of hills to climb and descend

Do remember the areas around the coast being somewhat flat, apart from the ‘pit top’ at wide open

have you tried joining midaircrisis on a thursay night?

I’d say you were over biked, I ride most stuff on a cx or rigid 26er round here. There are some hill but the nearest ones are South of the river.

There are no amazing trails but you can string a ride together. Pinch something from here if you don’t want to tag along.

http://www.strava.com/clubs/midaircrisis

Chopwell can be good if you know it. Jesmond Dene and Gosforth Park. Heddon on the wall down to the river. Beamish. Along the coast.

Do you have a Garmin or similar, I can send you some of my local gpx files. I’m always looking for fast mtbers so if you can ride a decent pace and climb a hill I’m happy to show you some stuff.

Me… http://www.strava.com/athletes/433228

Some local mtb loops

http://www.strava.com/activities/108063342
http://www.strava.com/activities/92424814
http://www.strava.com/activities/87817182

Whitley bay is indeed a rubbish spot for mtb, I can offer no hidden treasures unless you like riding steps to the beach.

As most said its a drive west or north to anything ‘local’ but when you get there it is good: Hammers, blanchland etc.

it’s very hard to see this as a “good location”!

It’s good…if you have a car.

Trouble is, you’re probably on the wrong side of town for easy access via bike. Head east, you’ll drown in the sea. Head west, you’re in the city. Head south, you’ll fall into the river…

Doesn’t give you many options.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, I will try one time to come along to the midaircrisis although balancing working, biking and the wee one is tricky!

jonba, thanks for the offer of the GXP files, (email in profile) if you could send them that would be ace, I am fairly speedy but as touched upon above rides tend to be when time allows but maybe one day.

Cheers

Chopwell Tumblers on a Thursday night. You’ll need lights though.