Day 3 - Acomb YHA to Segedunum (Wallsend) - 32 miles

The day dawned bright with no wind and after breakfast in the local pub we were off - downhill start for a change - along the bottom route to rejoin NCN 72 at Hexham. A gentle ride saw arriving at Corbridge Roman Site just as they were opening.

Passing the gatehouse to Beaufront Castle

Arriving at Corbridge Roman Site

After parking up bikes it was a quick look around the extensive remains at Corbridge - here several
other Rangers joined us here for the final days ride.

Then it was off to Aydon Castle - taking us off NCN 72 again for a short while. Ron (HCW Ranger) had been out the previous day and had put up temporary signs to make sure we did not get lost !!.

Ron then stayed as "tail end charlie' and gathered all his signs up behind us - so as not to confuse other cyclists. We then encountered a ford where most decided to use the footbridge - those that braved it ended up with wet feet which was quite refreshing on this hot day - then it was onwards and upwards to Aydon Castle where a refreshment stop was planned.

The climb from Corbridge to Aydon Castle

Steve Farthing gave another excellent guided tour - explaining it was lived in up until the 1960's.
The castle is really a large fortified house from the time of the Border Reivers and is well preserved
and well worth a visit.

Aydon Castle - refreshments and a walk around the ramparts.

Off again - with the knowledge there were only a couple more short climbs before the welcome descent down into the Tyne Valley. This time we didn't managed to lose anybody as we had done on a previous ride in this area - there is a sharp turn back that is all too easy to miss !!

Finally we left the busy roads behind turn off for Bywell and the fast descent down to the River Tyne at Bywell Bridge and on to Ovingham.

Ron and John catch up at Bywell Bridge

After crossing the river we joined the off road path along the south bank of the River Tyne - crossing over the magnificent Hagg Bank Bridge to Wylam - here we had a brief stop at Stephenson's Cottage NT for thos who wanted a lookaround before pressing on the Big Lamp Brewery where packed luch awaited.
By this time the sun was blazing down and getting quite hot. A slight mix up regarding payment for the lunch was quicly sorted out with me signing for everything ! Most welcome was the cool refreshing drinks available from the bar.

Lunch stop at the Big Lamp Brewery - Newburn

Time was pressing - as we had to reach Segedunum before 4.00 pm - so suitable refuelled we were off again. We chose to use the projected riverside route for NCN 72 via Newburn Riverside. At present it is only a rough steep track linking from the existing route - which made for some interesting antics negotiating this - which everyone did successfully. Then around the huge bend in the river to enter the urban landscape of Tyneside.

Riders on the Newburn Riverside Trail

Swiftly we made our way down the River Tyne along the promenades passing under the many bridges in glorious sunshine - as the Sunday Quayside Market was still open and there were lots of people around we crossed over to the south bank via the Swing Bridge and along to the Baltic Square - here we regrouped for a mass crossing of the Millennium "Blinking Eye" Bridge. Had we been a few minuts earlier we would have seen the bridge "blink".

Riders crossing the Gateshead Millennium Bridge

We had an appointment to keep - so off again - the final few miles were quickly travelled and we arrived in North Tyneside - where a quick stop for a photo shoot before crossing Hadrian's Wall and into Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum.

 

 

Nearly there - Segedunum Bath House in the back ground

 

 

 

Here the Mayor of North Tyneside was to greet us - a quick bite of food saw as heading for the final highlight of the day. Making our way to the replica Bath House ( modelled on the remains we had seen at Chesters) we entered the cool atmosphere of this build - I think a few would have liked to have used the plunge baths !! In the corner stood our goal - a cask of Centurian real Ale generously provided by the Hadrian Brewery - a micro brewery just off NCN 72 in Newcastle.
The ale was delicious and refreshing so of cause we had to have another taste or two.

 

 

Rangers testing the excellent Centurion Real
Ale provided courtesy of Hadrian Brewery.

 

 

The time came to part as the Museum was closing - so we said our farewells and vowed to do it all again.

See you all next year for the Opening Trail Blazing Ride - watch this site for details. Many thanks to Steve, Emma, Joy, David for use of the photos used in this report and to Sue Dyer for all the hard work she put in organising all the venues. Steve Farthing for the guided toures and also to Marion and Alison for transferring the baggage between the Youth Hostels - especially to Alison and John for going back to Acomb to collect Doug's bag he forgot to put in the car at Acomb !!!!

Doug on the Tyne

Sept. 2004