VRA (UK)
Northern
Bongo and Jay’s New Years Day Ride 2012
Picture this, New Years Day in North East England 2012 and a couple of barking mad Bikers decide to go on a jaunt...On the Bike!
Normally you would think they were suicidal, certifiable nutters! Well, we are but that's another story.
Jay had missed being on the bike ever since the trip to Hawes had to be adjusted to 4 wheels due to snow and ice.
So on getting up, the window was opened for the weather forecast and Jay was clapping her hands like a schoolgirl (I can dream ) and suggesting a bike ride.
So out came the laptop for the proper forecast which warned us to stick to the coast and North of Newcastle.
We set off at 11.00am from our home in Corbridge in bright glorious sunshine and headed North up the A68 for about 7 miles then headed North East on a glorious biking road, B6342 through Rothbury to the A697.
At the A697 we headed North for 20 miles to Wooler.
The roads so far were practically devoid of traffic and remained all the way to Bamburgh Castle.
Steeped in History, this Castle is fantastically preserved and still occupied, overlooking the beautiful white sandy beach.
Normally if you can park here, there is a charge, and although the Castle was open for visitors, the car park was free.
The journey so far had taken 65 miles and 1.5 hours of peaceful riding on winding twisty roads in good condition.
At Bamburgh we were in for a treat as it is the first time we have ever set foot on the beach.
We took a picnic, made by me of 4 bird roast sarnies with home made cranberry sauce, mini pork pies, flask with makings for Cappucino, and puddings.
We sat on the beach, jackets off in the sun, blue skies with about 200 people in groups walking the beach and their hounds for New Year.
After a lovely break, we set off on the homeward journey down the Coast Road A1068, taking a slight detour via the beaches of Cresswell and Lynemouth then Newbiggin By The Sea.
We returned to the Coast Road at Newbiggin which now numbers A189 taking the industrial route past Blyth Power Station before hitting the A193 to Whitley Bay.
We stopped for Coffee and mince Pie at Whitley Bay and noted the weather front a mile further South.
A bloke told me he had intended walking his pooch in Tynemouth but it was pissing down, so came 1 mile further North to find sun!
This was pretty much the track all the way home, remaining just North of the weather front, staying in the Sun across the Northern districts of Newcastle until hitting the B6318 Military road home.
Again this was deserted and we rode into the setting sun for the end to a perfect days riding.
This is by no means our 1st New Years Day ride, we have been out in sub zero conditions before with ice and snow at the side of the road, but certainly the longest ride we have done at this time of year.
We hope this is the shape of weather to come to prolong the biking calendar, and at £60 a year to tax, it ain't really worth just taxing the beast for 6 months, is it?
Happy New Year to all in VRA.
Roll on Norway.
Kind regards
Bongo and Jay