Thursday - Kevin's Social ride to Hownsgill

Our social rides are open to all and offer a very friendly welcome to newcomers. All are welcome to join us for a very pleasant ride up the Derwent Walk to the Hownsgill Tearooms near Consett. The ride will start at the Cycle Hub but will pass through Dunston Staiths if anyone prefers to start from there.

The return ride will be through Annfield Plain and Stanley, then across to Causey Arch and down from Tanfield to Staiths (either via Swalwell or Watergate Park) before arriving back at the Cycle Hub. The route is almost entirely on cycle tracks and with decent surfaces but there are some gravelly looser sections and bumpy dirt tracks. Hills are of steady gradient and the pace will be around 10 - 12 mph. Anyone joining should be comfortable with the distance: 39 mile from/to the Hub, and 33 mile from/to Staiths.

While the pace will be steady and no-one gets left behind, this will be a challenging ride of about 39 mile and anyone signing up should be competent at longer distance rides.

Helmets are recommended and please ensure you carry sufficient water, food and preferably a spare inner tube in case of punctures.

Participants are eligible for reduced bike hire at £5 per ride or to buy a bike by paying £10pw and pick a bike from the Hub catalogue then after 20 weeks the bike is theirs (if it is a £200 bike). To book a bike please contact the Hub on 0191 2767250 and give at least 24 hours notice.

If anyone is unable to sign up for any reason then either turn up on the day or send me a text on 07914 852 638.