Stage 10: Blyth to Berwick-upon-Tweed

The Borders beckon

Distance: 67.36 miles

Climb: 3,048 feet      


Oh we do like to be beside the seaside
Hugging the Northumberland coastline with its wide, sweeping beaches, backed by high sand dunes punctuated by dark outcrops.

Expecting distant views of Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and hoping for a tailwind for what could be the lowest climbing day of LeJog.

Fun Fact: Berwick is the northernmost town in England.

Post-ride Debrief

“If you could plan the perfect day’s riding then this is pretty much it”, exclaimed Paul during today’s stage.

After yesterday’s mixed bag of a ride, we had an absolute stunner today as the trip moved into double figures. Under azure Northumbrian skies, we could have been riding through its Italian nearly namesake.

With temporary support crew member Mads departing back to Liverpool, we set out from the car park of the Ashington Premier Inn, hardly a grand depart, with high hopes for the day ahead.

The early part of the ride was brought to us by the letters H, M and P as we rode past Northumberland prison. Porridge rather than overnight oats being very much the flavour.

With a less lumpy segment today we made swift progress in the first hour, beginning our day of castles and coastline.

Richard, who even made his wife visit a cricket ground on honeymoon, got very excited when the beautiful pitch in front of the majestic Warkworth Castle came into view. A quick visit did not do the castle justice.

Dotting in and out of sight of the coast we rolled along quiet roads and well-planned paths. Taking a small detour, we dropped down into Alnmouth village to take in espressos and the incredible beach. Sitting by the first tee of the village golf course we mingled with golfers, holidaymakers and fellow cyclists.

Congratulating ourselves on a worthwhile diversion, we pedalled on towards our lunch meeting with the support crew. What a place to meet it was! Bamburgh Castle is a spectacular building set on a volcanic plug. Sitting in the shadow of the castle eating our sandwiches and isotonic scotch eggs, we rejoiced in our good fortune.

Riding out towards Lindisfarne, we continued with smiles on our faces. Gates in the bulging hedgerows gave glimpses of fields running down to the sea. Rolling up and down for the last 20 miles, we had our earliest finish of the entire trip allowing us to take in the sea views of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

One final word. When Alex Comfort wrote the seminal 1970s work The Joy of Sex, he had clearly not experienced the ecstasy of a tailwind at your back. Then again, the author of the Karma Sutra probably never considered the merits of electronic shifting!

Tomorrow we take roads high and low to Scotland.

If you are able, please sponsor our ride in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. Click through to our JustGiving page.






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