A bit of mystery surrounded the start of this ride on Sunday 24th February 2008. Meeting at Gollum's were Mick H, always nice to see him out of his flying suit, John and Steve W, braving the evil westerly wind that was trying to push him back to his Whitley Bay home as he battled his way into Holystone. We were getting ready to leave just after 9:00am when a car pulled up with a strange man in it. Andy! That was even more of a surprise than Mick being here, but he couldn't ride with us as his bike was still at home in North Shields. So he scurried off to collect it and we arranged to meet him at the dunes car park in Seaton Sluice at 10.

Before that, however, we had another two rendezvous to keep! First was with Derek, whose poor feet were begging him to keep them at home. He rang in late after deciding painful exercise was better than just pain, so we were destined to meet him at Holywell. He was there just after us, so the five of us began the lush cruise through John's favourite singletrack led by Mick. Next pickup should have been Terry H, at St Mary's Lighthouse. He had warned in advance, however, that his level of alcohol poisoning at someone's birthday bash the night before may just prevent him turning out, and so it transpired. We waited until just after 10 to 10 before heading around the headland into the Sluice and down onto the dunes.

Sure enough Andy was there as promised, together with a fine collection of those nice people from further north, the Reivers, as Ian A was scheduled to lead their ride today. The plan was that we figured we might swell the numbers just in case there were a few bods short. We needn't have worried, however, as there was an excellent turnout for Ian. It was nice to re-acquaint with some of our old riding associates, and of course Ian and Arthur, but just before kick-off, atmospheric conditions decreed we should do our own thing and not burden Ian's ride with unnecessary side issues.

So the Gollum stomped off up onto the dunes bridleway to be followed by the other five once they'd realised the plan had changed. We continued north with the wind at our left side, through the centre of Blyth to the harbour behind Andy. From there Gollum led west as we followed the riverbank bridle path towards Bedlington. Familiar territory for Mick, although he's more used to being on the A189 above the river heading north to an RAF station up the coast, or south back home. Left, the picturesque River Blyth (not).

Gollum's answer to Jason's nature shots

It's always nice to find a stretch of singletrack in the middle of a mundane ride, and this route provides plenty of opportunity to enjoy quite a few. We stopped at the edge of Bedlington for our first decent rest and a short bite at a picnic table, quite pleasant out of the wind. With pleasant scenery both static and jogging past us. We resumed to follow the riverside singletrack all the way in to Humford Mill, where Derek directed us around an unexpected treat along a fence line, strewn with dodgy off-camber roots and very low overhanging tree parts. We've done this a couple of times before but it never ceases to amuse.

We were back down to the stepping stones a few minutes later, then it was time for a bit of jungle dodging behind the Gollum. This was the bit with the walking in it, but overall not too much, and it was worth it for the technical bits (all of it!). John grimaces at the route Golly has chosen! Andy finds out why

We were released from it at East Hartford and then sped up the tarmac for lunch in the garden of the Three Horse Shoes Inn. Very pleasant in the warm sunshine, and we even had outdoor waitress service! Cheers for the refreshments, Steve.

Once the lads had allowed Gollum to have his afternoon snooze it was time to mount up and follow Derek down to the A189 and into the first tree run southwards through the back of Newsham. Andy was almost ready to depart and wind his way back to Seaton Sluice for his car, but the lure of our favourite Tree Avenue was too strong so he stayed with us. Unfortunately for Golly, Andy also took up the lead, together with Mick, and their pace just started to drag the last juice out of the old man's legs. He wasn't alone, however, as Derek will take some time to regain a decent level of fitness, so they rode at the back together, soaking up the wonderful solitude and calm of the under-tree canopy. Gollum managed to hang on as the group flew into New Hartley and promptly got lost on a new path. After circling for a few minutes, and collecting in someone's front garden before retreating, we did eventually find our way out to the Delaval Hall road. Andy turned left back down to the coast for his car, while Steve decided to stay with us all the way back to Holywell Dene on the Waggonways.

Once Steve departed that left just four of us to complete the tour back to Golly's, arriving there about 2:15pm for a welcome cuppa with about 30 miles clocked up. Apart from a blustery breeze it turned out quite nice so I reckon Ian's ride would also have been a good one, though perhaps a bit longer than ours. STOP PRESS - about 10 miles more!

vidz arriving here soon...

Keep watching and if you fancy a ride out with us, drop us a line here: bailout@midaircrisis.org.uk