Thursday 29th November 2007 saw a repeat of the previous week's numbers, but some a slight change in persona. The Two Terrys were there together with stalwarts, the ever-present Ian A (Speedian) and Keith. Joining us tonight was young Arthur, who enjoys his runs out but is hampered slightly be being a bit of a travelling man with his work. Good to see him back whenever he can make it.

Actually, on the subject of Arthur, he's had his Gary Fisher hardtail about as long as he planned to keep it and is now thinking strongly about going full suspension with his next purchase, and mentioned he may get the chance to look in at the Decathlon store while he's in Sheffield next week. I haven't changed my mind about the Decathlon Rockrider I bought, or the cheaper version I actually went down there to buy - I reckon they must be amongst the best value kit you can buy. And I'm pleased to report that Terry H was well satisfied with the performance of the Fusion Floyd at Kielder last Sunday and has bought it, at a very favourable discount from Whiptail Cycles, Tynemouth.

As previously mentioned within these night ride pages, it's very hard to do anything different now as we whack through 52 rides in a year, all within 10 miles of the start in an urban area. Could be one of the reasons for this. So the bowels of Gollum's brain (yes, sh1thead if you like) was reached into yet again to try and come up with a change.

We trolled out the back of the Cave and down into Speedian's black fly trap behind Asda. We expect to hit problems in here now and he didn't disappoint. In fact, he went much further than that and threw himself off the Stumpy to land on his Camelbak. Very entertaining, but he recovered too quickly for the camera to be extracted from Gollum's inner layers on this coolish but clear, moonlit  night - another one!

We were soon untangled from the low branches and whoop-de-doos as Ian led us along the lower edge of the Rising Sun Hill, through yet more closely planted trees with more dangerously low branches. Once again we crossed Station Road, up to the farm and down the East Coast main line to the Powder Monkey. This time, however, we turned south down to Wills Factory and took to the cycle path along the north side of the Coast Road. We stayed with it through the underpasses at Benton Road then through to Armstrong Bridge.

Once there we turned south into Jesmond Vale and continued through the darkness into Chavaland, alias Heaton Park, then up into Heaton before the steep plunge down under Byker Bridge to Stepney Bank. We stopped here for a short breather and to admire the new builds which have completely transformed this once derelict ex-commercial area into yet another thriving edge-of-town night spot.

Dropping onto the Quayside behind Arthur we toured along the prom, prom, prom to the Millennium Bridge and bounced across it to Gateshead where the reins of the ride were handed over to Hebburn lad, Keith. We followed him along the lower bank of the Tyne to do our river loop in reverse, just for a change. This time we took a vote and decided not to scale any 8 foot fences with the bikes, so we enjoyed a smooth run right through to the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel. Crossing back through to England we made our way up towards Royal Quays. Terry H left us there in spitting distance of his Cullercoats home, while the remaining four took to the Waggonways all the way up from Percy Main to Silverlink. We finished the ride by taking the bridleway behind Proctor & Gamble for the final off-road section of the night. Time to dish out a few NMBC shirts which had just been collected by Mrs Gollum from the printers, and the ride ended with 24 miles on Ian's bike PC in perfect riding conditions.

 

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