Official Opening Ride
Day 8 - 22nd. July 2006
Corbridge to South Shields (Arbeia)
Distance 31 Miles
Regrouping outside the Copthorne Hotel we made quite a spectacle while we waited for the Photographers, Roman Centurions and Gladiators to get into position.
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The 72nd Legion of Cyclists |
With a charge we rode along the Quayside, under the Swing Bridgew andinto the car park in front of the Guildhall and the shadow of the Tyne Bridge. Here the car park had been shut and tables set up in the shade of the trees, crammed with sandwiches and food and drink. This was prepared by Carole and Don Price who run the Tyne Bridge Bike Hire company from the Guildhall TIC - this buffet was arranged by Newcastle and Gateshead Councils.
 Presentations to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and the Mayor of Gateshead outside the Guildhall - Quayside |
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Owing to an event on the Baltic Square - Gateshead we could not stop there so all the presentations to where made at the Guildhall, with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and the Mayor of Gateshead accepting plaques and making speeches.
Time was pressing and we had ferries to catch - plus several riders left the ride here in order to catch trains home from Newcastle Station - a pity as the best part of the ride was yet to come. Crossing the river this time via the Swing Bridge we made our way along the south bank passing below the Sage Music Centre and through the Baltic Square - where the BBC was holding the biggest dance lesson in the world !! Quickly we rode past the performers and rode on mass over the Millennium Bridge (Gateshead council had ensured the cycle deck was free of pedestrians) back to the north bank for the last time before continuing our journey down river on Hadrian's Cycleway to our next stop at Segedunum - Wallsend.
Safely negotiating the diversion at Walker we made our way along the wide railway path. At Segedunum the Roman Centurions and Gladiators were waiting for us again - they must have fast chariot !! By now we knew what to expect.
The elected Mayor for North Tyneside greeted us, plaques were given and speeches made.Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum - Wallsend
After a brief stop for refreshments it was on again - sadly one of the riders sustained a nasty injury when he collided with a wooden bollard in the track and had had to be taken to hospital. He is likely to be out of the saddle for several weeks.
