My Coast and Castles Ride

[JudgeDredd]

So myself, and old army buddy Davey Blackmore and his pal Andy McIntyre went on a cycle. It was a 200 mile jaunt from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in England to Edinburgh in Scotland. The trip was split up over 3 days.

We got to Edinburgh for the last night of the Edinburgh Festival and took in a wee comedy show before having too many beers later in the evening

Day 1 was 63 miles from Newcastle to Embleton


Day 2 was 82 miles and from Embleton to Melrose


Day 3 was 56 miles from Melrose to Edinburgh - with the Moorfoot Hills to cross - a 10 mile constant climb


We were taking our time because Andy isn't a "cyclist" - he goes out, but very occasionally.

My new Scotland cycling top (a bit snug for 265lbs - but I always wear a baggy top over my cycling tops anyway)


On the way on the train to Newcastle (it was the best beer - FREE)


And in the Premier Inn bar in Newcastle waiting for the other two muppets



Andy on the left and Davey on the right in Newcastle having a few sherberts


Day 1
My beast (I LOVE my bike)


Tynemouth


This is the 3 of us about 10 miles in. The sign behind is the end of the 145 mile C2C cycle ride which we had completed in 2012


One of several castle along the route



It was a very picturesque route


20 miles in and time for a cuppa

And of course, a cream tea  ;)


Myself and Andy


Davey and Andy


First night B&B - above a pub (very handy!)


Extras from an old classic Alfred Hitchock film were in town!


Day 2
Another castle - this time it was Bamburgh


Holy Island (Lindisfarne) just south of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. We didn't go across the causeway because we had 80 miles to do on the second day and going onto the island would've resulted in another 6 miles


Again - some beautiful scenery





A couple of (many) bridges across the river Tweed. This is in Berwick-Upon-Tweed and lunchtime





It was about 1pm and we still had 50 miles to go!

And another castle (makes you wonder why it was called Coast and Castles, eh?)


At last - HOME!  ;D


And another bridge. We crossed the mighty Tweed several times


Day 3
Unfortunately, being the last day and totally knackered from the ride before, we didn't take many pictures on the last day.

This is us heading up a hill with the sunny valley below


Andy having one of MANY energy bars  :)


Davey


This is us at the top of Moorfoot Hills



Photo time - I think Davey was instructing Andy how to put his camera in landscape mode


The end. Thank the gods.


Out in Edinburgh


Edinburgh Castle at night


And PHOTO BOMB!

[undercovergeek]

awesome pics - congrats

3 things

- where was the visit to Castle Bob and his pan wielding wench while you were up there?
- i wouldnt keep a light sabre in the pack on the back of my bike
- why are you both only wearing one glove, is this some Michael Jackson enthusiasts cycling club?

[Staggerwing]

Congrats on getting there. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us!

The end. Thank the gods.

It was nice of them to close the road and throw you a party when you got there. Did you phone ahead?

[bob48]

Well done, JD. Great pictures. If I'd known you were in Newcastle I would have come and cheered you off (and had a half-pint of shandy with you).

[JudgeDredd]

UCG Where do you live? I've seen you post about being north England somewhere...

Light sabre came in handy.

Well spotted with the glove thing. Unfortunately there's a more normal reason...being smartphones you can't operate the touch pad with gloves on (I need to get some of the new gloves where you can)

Staggerwing - we stumbled across that end and thought it was a perfect place for the final ride pic. We didn't actually know what that was for

bob - you live in Newcastle? Near the centre or further out?

[undercovergeek]

im from Leeds but in the Midlands, but fair Sir Roberts castle is in the toon

[bob48]

Yeah, I live about 5 miles west of the City centre, just near the start of the A69.

[mirth]

Great pics, JD. Thanks for sharing!

[Barthheart]

Great pics JD! Looks like a good trip. Is there dedicated cycling paths/roads all through the UK?

How'd you get home? Train?

Thanks for the guided tour.

O0

[JudgeDredd]

My pleasure people. It was a great ride with some superb scenery.

Barthheart - The NCN (National Cycle Network) is maintained by a company called SUSTRANS (sustainable transport). They make sure the routes are sign posted. It's pretty piecemeal in the UK...no...VERY piecemeal, but SUSTRANS do what they can.

The route we were on was Route Number 1 which goes from the very south of England all the way up the East coast to the top of Scotland I believe
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map

[Barthheart]

Very cool. We have something similar here in Canada called the Trans Canada Trail.

http://tctrail.ca/

[DoctorQuest]

Thanks for sharing your trip. I would go back to Edinburgh in a shot if I could. I had a great time there. I would love to see the Tattoo.

It was fun to be the one who talked funny. ;)

[endfire79]

Hey bravo!  Nice shots.  Hoping to visit the North one day

[Atilla60]

Great Pictures JD. Thanks for sharing

[steve58]

Great pics, thanks!