Notable women of Newcastle

This ride is one of a series of Notable Women Rides North East, throughout 2026 and 2027, as part of a collaboration between Breeze, Cycle with Jan and Cycling 4 Everyone (North East). This ride is also supported by Cycling UK’s 'Big Bike Revival' a national programme that supports adults to build the skills, confidence, and motivation to cycle more often.
This series of rides is visiting places where notable women from the region have lived and worked. As well as visiting sites connected to notable women, we'll uncover some of the North East's rich women's history. At each stop, we'll learn about women whose lives and achievements continue to influence us today - whether they identified as feminists or not.
The inspiration for these rides came from the Angels of the North Notable Women of the North East books, volume 1 and 2, written by Joyce Quin and Moira Kilkenny - who have both given their support to these rides.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE DONE ANY OTHER RIDES IN THE SERIES.
On this particular ride we will learn about a number of notable women who have lived and worked in Newcastle, visiting places that they were associated with:
Mary Astell
Dame Allan
Nancy Booker Spain
Theresa Metz
Anna and Ellen Wilkinson
Ruth Nicholson

The route uses roads, marked cycle paths, and traffic-free shared paths in order to link places of historical interest relating to our notable women. Unfortunately, we can't avoid a couple of hills, and there is also a busier stretch of road - but the pace will be easygoing and we will ride as a group in order to maintain safety.
Suitable for all bikes.
As we will be stopping to learn about the notable women, plan to be out for a couple of hours.

Although Breeze rides are operated by volunteers, this particular ride is funded by grants - so we will be offering a complimentary drink and sandwich for each participant at the end of the ride.

IF YOU WANT A LONGER RIDE, AN ALTERNATIVE MEETING POINT IS ELSIE'S CAFE AT NEWBURN AT 9AM - please ALSO sign up for this ride, if we're to expect you at Elsie's >>> https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/notable-women-of-newcastle-extra-miles

If the ride is fully booked and you join the waiting list, British Cycling will send an automated email if a space becomes available - then it's first come, first served. (Note the date on the automated email may be wrong!!)... Ride leaders do NOT get to see the waiting list.
Ride leaders are volunteers and give up their time for free - if you sign-up then change your mind, please ensure you cancel your place so we know not to expect you and the place becomes available for someone else.


The boring stuff...
Safety information - please read:
* Repeat any calls that you hear or signals that you see (such as arm signals or calls such as ‘stopping’) so that riders behind you know what to expect
* In large groups, if you realise there’s a big gap between you and the person behind you, try and notify the leader.
* Although we don’t leave anyone behind, have a plan to get home if you’re unable to continue with the ride for any reason.
* If you find that we’re close to your home as we get towards the end of the ride, let the leaders know that you’ll be leaving the group.

THE OTHER BORING BUT IMPORTANT BITS....
Please make sure your bike is in working condition PRIOR to arriving for the ride and bring a spare inner tube to fit your tyres (check the valve type too!) and/or a puncture repair kit. The leaders can help you fix a puncture, but only if you have the right size inner tube for your bike or a puncture repair kit!

We look forward to seeing you.

Susan and Wendy