From Tynemouth to Warkworth (Day 5)
Updated: Jul 3
Miles Cycled: 36.25 Elevation Gain 800ft
I want to start by sending huge thanks to my lovely sister Elaine. The Met weather forecast for today was for 30% chance of rain at the start of the ride in Tynemouth rising to a 90% chance as the ride progressed towards Warkworth. Elaine's sacrifice of a whole bottle of wine worked wonders. We had a southerly wind helping along the route all day and there was sunshine in-between allowing us to ride in tee shirts for the first time. We couldn't believe that just as we arrived at our accommodation for the night - the rain started. So huge thanks little Sis!
Tynemouth itself is unusual in that it is a seaside town that is thriving. Busy restaurants and pubs, lovely shops and roads where not a single pothole is to be seen. All the verges are beautifully maintained and no litter anywhere. The cycle track is second to none. Credit to Northumberland County Council and Sustrans.. it puts cycle tracks elsewhere into the shade.
The ride out of Tynemouth was absolutely stunning... views of the beautiful unspoilt beach with St Mary's lighthouse standing proud at the end.
The cycle path then took us through the undulating dunes on the way to Blyth. We remembered that last time we rode this part it was difficult riding on the sandy tracks up and down the dunes. Since then a new cycle track had been laid making it a pleasure to ride.
We passed through Blyth, a maritime industrial port town with huge ( and I mean HUGE) carousels of undersea submarine cables of all different sizes shapes and colours. It was a bit of a shock after the beauty of Tynemouh. The cycle track then took us through a pretty park and onto another cycle track cutting across country towards Ashington. Suddenly, apparently from nowhere, there appeared a wind turbine. Now I am not a great fan of these as they are absolutely not environmentally friendly but this one seemed to be gently whispering to us encouraging us forward.
We wanted to stop for a coffee, and thought that it would be great to detour from our route and visit the cafe at the Woodhorn Colliery and Museum. It was at one time the largest pit village in the world. We got there, only to discover that we could only go into the cafe if we paid £10 each for entry into the museum!!! The helper at the gate told us that it would give us a year long membership!!! We declined!
Perhaps the most amazing thing was to come across a road sweeper much the same width as the track, sweeping any debris away. As you can see, the track was immaculate.
An early afternoon stop for coffee at Cresswell (in the middle of nowhere but packed full of walkers, cyclists and dogs!) We got chatting to two lovely local guys who were passionate long distance cyclists. Their bikes were state of the art carbon road bikes, the maroon one costing about £5,000 and the red one about £12000! The owner of the red one made us laugh .. he told us he had splashed out on it to stop Starmer taking all his hard earned money in taxes!!
We then cycled all along the coast amongst the glorious dunes which keep the extraordinary beaches very clear of tourists. We carried on this wonderful ride until we reached Warkworth and our beautiful acccommodation .. Bertrams.
One of the reasons today was so pleasant was that I felt much stronger in myself and in my arms and legs, which after only three days cycling felt great, but poor Bob was suffering from soreness and tenderness in his nether regions. He was terrific though as he only complained about 100 times!!
Tomorrow we head towards Bamburgh and it is only a 27 mile ride. (Imagine a huge smiling emoji here!)
Wow that looks and sounds lovely! Slap on the chamois cream Pop, it works wonders! Don't blame you for not paying to go in the cafe 😂