Learning to ride a bicycle is as easy as falling off a bicycle, and if you ride in the rain wearing shorts, then you don’t need to shower or take a bath.
Local Routes
Cycle Streets helps you to make your own cycle route, with settings for the fastest, quietest, or balanced(est) routes. It also provides downloadable files for advanced features, like “Fly in Google Earth” (you can download Google Earth itself for free here), or .gpx files that you can transfer to your GPS device (such as a Garmin or TomTom).
Here is a quick list of Newcastle based cycling clubs.
Long Distance Routes
Cycle.Travel lists the official National Cycle Network routes through Newcastle, and also provides some sightseeing suggestions.
Here is the Ordnance Survey map of the whole UK, with cycle routes, which is useful for a quick overview, and it also has more sightseeing ideas (use the Change Map button in the bottom right to toggle between different overlays).
Cycle Route 14 Darlington to South Shields
This route is 88 miles in total, starting in Darlington, through Durham and Consett, and then it heads back to the north-east coast, ending in South Shields. It includes the section known as the Three Rivers Cycle Route.
Cycle Route 1 – Shetland Isles to Dover
At a gentle 1,720 miles, this wee route traverses Great Britain from North to South, keeping to the East coast for the most part. You’ll need to catch a ferry to get to the Shetland Isles, or bring your own pedalo if you want to keep it real.
Cycle Route 10
This 134 mile long route goes from Cockermouth to North Shields, taking you through Kielder Forest. It makes up most of the Reivers Cycle Route.
Cycle Route 72
Route 72 is 177 miles long, crossing England West-East, through the Lake District, Newcastle, and ending in South Shields.
What’s your favourite bike route around Newcastle? Let us know in the comments below.
