Day 2 - Greenhead YHA to Acomb YHA - 30 miles
The day dawned grey and with the skies threatening - slowly we arose - ate a good breakfast and got our bikes ready. As we couldn't arrive at the first planned stop Carvoran until 10.00 am - less than a mile away we back tracked slightly to view the other end of the planned new route.

This took us back to Thirwell castle where Steve and Phil outlined the plans of the new route - which at this point will cross over the remains of Hadrian's Wall. There are no visible remains here only a grassy mound but this has to be protected and will require a ramp up and over. Depending on land aquisitions the route will either continue alongside the stream - requiring a new footbridge or will go along the road on a verge path to Greenhead. After crossing the river bridge on Greenhead Bank a new path will built through the fields up to the turning for Haltwhistle - and will be one of the steepest paths Sustrans has ever constructed - but it will keep you off a very busy steep road and you will be able to walk safely.

Then we were off in earnest up Greenhead Bank - with everyone trying not to be the first to dismount and walk. Some of the more fitter riders made it all the way to the top !!

At the top of the hill it we left NCN 72 for a visit to Carvoran - Roman Army Museum. Here we saw an excellent video of Hadrian's Wall depicted through the eys of an eagle with stunning computer images of the Wall and Forts when first built. Leaving here we went a short way to Walltown Crags to hear about the Wall and various projects associated with it -during our visit we had a brief heavy shower but luckily we were under cover at the time.

Then it was off again - with the skies clearing for a much appreciated descent down to Haltwhistle and The Centre of Britain sign post and a small reception.

The late arrivals had gone direct to Haltwhistle to get a new tyre - only to be told by the shop the bike was un-roadworthy - which meant they had to hire a bike for the remainder of the ride. They met up with us again at the reception.

After to short stop to have photos taken, meet with local dignitaries and grab a snack we were on our way again - by this time the sun was starting to come out - so it was off with the rain tops and on with the sun block !!

Steady progress saw us reach Bardon Mill and the start of the long climb up to Smiths Shield - calamity -
one rider suffered a broken crank which we were unable to fix. Luckily we were not far from the Rail Station so he caught the train the Hexham having only done 6 miles that day. He later met up with us again with new cranks at Acomb YHA.

On we plodded up a bit - down a bit - and up, up and up again to the top at Smiths Shield. This is where NCN 68 Pennine Cycleway carries straight on north and NCN 72 turns east. We met a party of Dutch Riders at the top who had used the HCW website to plan their whole journey and were said they were enjoying the route. We gave them a copy of the newly published "Cycle Northumbria" and bid them farewell.

They have since been in touch - click here to read their ride report

For once I made the climb without getting off - stopped a few times and managed to put my leg into some stinging nettles but made it minus a
few pints of sweat !!

Then on to the Stangate - dead straight downhill to Vindolanda where
were were to stop for lunch and a visit around the site which has extensive excavations, full size reconstructions of the Turf Wall and Stone Wall along with a Temple and Museum.

The reconstructions at Chesterholm and Vindolanda

The climb up from Vindolanda

Leaving Vindolanda we headed up the steep hill and on passing the preserved lime kiln at Crindledyke to Housestead Roman Fort using the tarmac track passing through the fields - making all the cows and sheep to stop and stare.
Steven Farthing from English Heriatge who was accompanying us on the ride took us on an excellent tour of the remains with detailed descriptions
of all the remains that can be seen, including how the complex drainage / latrines systems worked !!

Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads Fort

Then off again - back tracking against the strong westerly to regain NCN 72 at Crindledykes - a brief pause for photos at the highest point and we were off for the fast downhill run to Fourstones - max. speed clocked was 38.4 mph !!

Another loop off the route took us to Chesters Roman Fort where again we had an excellent guided tour - a change of plan saw us taking tea at the Roman Lupus Tearooms - courtesy of English Heritage.

Taking tea at Chesters Roman Fort.

Remains of Bath House at Chesters Fort

By now the heat of the day was starting to take its toll - so off back to join NCN 72 - onwards and downwards towards Hexham. Quickly we were over the the River Tyne along Tyne Green and back over the County Bridge for the last climb of the day - or so we thought. I had mis-read the map and didn't realise it went up - then all the way down again before "finally" climbing up the Acomb YHA - it was at this point mutiny was threatened if there were any more hills - but we survived.

Some lucky riders found the flat way around !! After a wash and brush up it was off the the Sun Inn for dinner and a few pints - and so to bed to rest our weary bodies ready for another day.