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Road Bike on 72

Posted:
Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:38 am
by adarm
Hi
I was just wondering what the surfaces were like for doing this in 1 or 2 days on a road bike? I was looking at starting in Silloth and going to tynemouth
Or would you recommend a different route for getting from one side to the other?
Thanks
Adam
Road bike on HCW

Posted:
Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:04 pm
by dougonthetyne
Has been done OK on road bikes but some sections not suitable for thin tires.
From Silloth to Tynemouth all on tarmac or bitmac surface except for:
Carlisle Riverside: very rough and muddy - use main roads through town , cross river by A7 bridge and rejoin route in Rickerby Park (Mile 86 to 89)
Greenhead Bank - mile 114 use B6318 Road instead.
Mile 138 Hexham - slightly rough alongside rail line but OK for most bikes
Short rough section (100m) between Ovingham Bridge and Wylam at mile 152
Doug

Posted:
Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:02 pm
by adarm
Thank you sir - trying to blast this in 1 - 2 days for prostate cancer research.
How hard would you say it would be to just turn up at a B&b and there to be a free room in the second week of september?
Ta

Posted:
Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:12 pm
by dougonthetyne
Best to book if you can - not a lot in the middle section and you are competing with walkers along Hadrian's Wall. Haltwhistle your best bet.
See accom pages on my website
http://www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscyc ... n-new.html

Posted:
Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:24 pm
by adarm
Just wondered what it would be like to do east to west, heard there was a prevailing wind from west to east but is it going to make that much of a difference?
Thanks Adam

Posted:
Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:57 pm
by dougonthetyne
Many cyclists from the continent who arrive by ferry at North Shields do the route east to west.
Prevailing wind is supposed to be westerly but lately it can be from anywhere.
6 and two 3s regarding climbs - long drag up the Stanegate and out of Haltwhistle balanced by the short steep downhills at Vindolanda, Greenhead and Banks.
There is a good hotel in Wallsend that alllows you to park your car while doing the ride - see accom pages and Hadrian Lodge Motel
Doug

Posted:
Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:57 pm
by DIRTY RANSOM