STARS  Parkhead Pilgrimage 2007
A report by Lindsay Perks with photos by Doug & Ruth  

It hardly seemed possible that a year had past since 15 STARs Rangers embarked on the first Pilgrimage to Parkhead Station, out at the 100 mile point of the C2C, to spend some time with Lorraine and Terry Turnbull.
 
But it had – and a smaller but select group of rangers mustered at the Guildhall on Saturday morning the 15th of September to repeat the exercise.
 
Doug Ridgway and I (Lindsay Perks) were the first arrive, soon followed by Ruth Ashford on her first trip to Parkhead. Based on past experience we settled down to wait for Phil Goldblatt. However, he joined us sooner than we expected, predictably calling for refreshment. Unfortunately, neither Carol nor Don Price were at their posts in the Guildhall and so it was impossible to grant Phil’s request for tea and buns on this occasion. We set off almost immediately for the Skiff Inn where Bob Sorley was to join us.

Swalwell - Bob stops for a quick litter pick

We were sorry that a number of our regulars were not able to make it this year due to work and family commitments.  However, we were delighted that we were to be joined at Parkhead by the Frier family. This comprises Neil and his father Don, both rangers from South Shields, and Neil’s sons Aaron (14) and Aidan (8).  They had opted for a slightly gentler route to Parkhead, which, in view of the prevailing weather conditions, was very sensible. 

The most significant aspect of the weather this year was the wind, which was very strong throughout. The head wind on the way out slowed down our progress and increased our heart rate, but the tail wind on the return was something else. But more of that later.
 
We made fairly good progress for the first part of the ride and were protected from a short shower by overhanging trees. We took our lunch break at the Derwent Walk pub at Ebchester, which lived up to its good reputation for bar snacks. Doug informed us that we were just about half way between Newcastle and Parkhead and so, suitably fortified we continued on our way expecting to reach our destination quite early.  It was feeling colder and so some of us donned another layer as we set off.
 
Probably because it was cold and windy, there were less people on the route than usual and no juveniles clustered around the giant stainless steel theodolite (proper name Terris Novalis), just south of Consett as there were last year.  Bob was therefore denied his litterpicking recruitment drive this time. On the other hand, there was very little litter about. Whether this was due to the continued efforts of the local youth or the strong wind, I could not say.  We paused for some photographs and pressed on. 

Photo opportunity at Terris Novalis - Consett

Actually, we soon found we were pausing quite frequently and not just to admire the views. The wind got stronger as we gained altitude and short rests helped. In fact, as the photographs show, we stopped to talk to dogs, children, other cyclists, walkers, pram pushers and sometimes just ourselves.

Stopping for a breather before tackling the Waskerly Moor
section against the gale force head wind uphill to Parkhead.

Eventually – and thankfully we reached Parkhead, more or less together, with Ruth in the lead, to be warmly welcomed by Terry and Lorraine.  Mugs of tea were the first priority (much appreciated) closely followed by allocation of rooms and very enjoyable hot showers. Changed and refreshed we managed to fill in the time before our meal by drinking our preferred beverage. Cider, beer, red or white wine or orange juice were consumed and, when the Frier boys, arrived mysterious confections from the fridge. We could hear that the wind was getting stronger and when I ventured outside to use my mobile to phone home I was almost blown away. But it was warm and comfortable inside and there was plenty to talk about – there always is when cyclists gather – and in no time at all we were called to the table.

 
Doug, Phil & Lindsay almost fully re-fueled !

What a splendid meal! As well as excellent main courses, to suit veggies and meat eaters alike, we were regaled with many and varied side dishes. I think I actually heard the table   groan under the weight of all the food.  Despite the generous portions, everybody opted for puddings, but eventually we had to leave the dining area and slump into the comfortable seats in the residents’ lounge where we were provided with tea and coffee. And in some cases other drinks. We talked on, but tired and content after our days effort we drifted off to bed one by one.
 
The night was exceedingly windy and I, for one, was a bit apprehensive about the return ride.  But breakfast had been arranged for 8:30 (it was Sunday, after all) and once again nobody went hungry. When we eventually got outside we found a number of C2Cers already on their way. Briefly, some of us considered alternative transport and thought the train might help by taking the strain.

Aidan, Phil, Ruth & Lindsay let the train take the strain at Parkhead !

But it was not to be, and we said our farewells, mounted our bikes and set off for the return journey.
 
The first stage was just as far as the gate to Parkhead Station, where Don found he had a puncture (in fact we heard later two punctures). The Friers declared they would be able to cope easily with such minor inconveniences and so the rest of us started our descent without them. After a while, Bob saw litter picking opportunities that were too good to miss and went his way, saying he would see us later.        
 
The wind had hardly abated and was now a tail wind. We found ourselves bowling along at speed on the loose gritty surface. Speeds of up to 30 mph were attained at times and it was a bit hairy on the narrow track when being overtaken – in either direction. But it was not the wind behind us that was most scary it was the buffeting by the gusting cross wind. Even Doug, who is no lightweight, was blown across the track at times and I was more than a little relieved when we reached lower and more sheltered stretches of the route.
 
It was interesting that the section from about Ebchester to Parkhead, that had taken almost three hours uphill with a head wind on Saturday was covered in less than an hour (wind assisted) on Sunday. We continued to make good progress with few incidents as we continued eastwards. I managed to avoid somersaulting over my handlebars this year by proceeding very cautiously down the critical slope to the main road near Hamsterley, on foot! The man topics of conversation were whether the Golden Lion would be open when we reached it and whether the QE ll would be able to enter the Tyne against this wind. For the record, we reached the Golden Lion at Winlaton Mill long before opening time and pressed on to the Skiff Inn. The QE ll did make it into the Tyne eventually but was delayed several hours by the wind.
 
We were not ready for a meal after our substantial breakfast and so after a packet of crisps and a drink we pressed on. Ruth peeled off at Scotswood to take a short cut home to Kenton, and Doug Phil and I continued to Newcastle. Phil picked up a puncture on the Quayside but had it fixed in the twinkling of an eye; almost before we had noticed he was no longer with us! Any thoughts of a cup of tea at the Guildhall were dashed when we found Carol and Don were elsewhere and so we proceeded home without further sustenance.
 
Doug decided to take the Cycle Tunnel to South Shields but, before we got that far, we came across evidence of more vandalism in the area. Three wheely bins and contents had been set alight and the heat had melted and broken up the tarmac path. Doug took photographs and said he would report it later.
Dougs comment: reported and cleared away on next day.

Remains of burnt out wheelie bins at Walker

After Doug left us, Phil and I decided we would inspect the new Route 72 / RR 10 link on our way home and also ride along the new RR10 diversion under the Coast Road. We were not impressed by the link, which may be better if the unclear signing is improved. 
Dougs comment:- council has not installed signs at correct locations as intended.
 
We experienced a short sharp shower on the last lap near the Tyne Tunnel Trading estate but this had cleared by the time we parted company in Monkseaton and I continued for the last couple of miles home. We observed no changes to the diversion. Only issue was that the iron gate from Hamar Close was closed. It was not actually locked but appeared so.  We wedged it open so that the way through would be clearer.
 
Altogether, an excellent – if rather arduous at times – weekend.  Here’s to next year!     
 
PS.  I called Neil later on Sunday to check that his party had arrived home safely and was pleased to hear that Aidan had not been blown away – despite not quite achieving the 40 mph he had promised.