Bradt's new cycling guide to Northumbria offers 21 routes covering
County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. Each ride includes
comprehensive directions plus contextual features on history, wildlife
and culture. Each links to OS Explorer maps (and, where relevant,
National Cycle Network routes), while QR codes connect with downloadable
GPX maps via the komoot app, enabling navigation by smart phone. With a
dedicated bike-hire section (so you have an alternative if your bicycle
isn't suitable for a particular ride) and accommodation suggestions,
this book is an indispensable travel companion for two-wheeled
adventures. Northeast England is among the UK's most dramatic and
unspoilt regions, boasting long, sandy beaches, upland moors and
forests. Its history is rich too, with Celtic, Viking and Roman sites in
this battleground for successive border wars between the English and
Scots. Majestic castles such as Bamburgh stand guard along its windswept
coastline, while Holy Island's Lindisfarne Castle once provided a haven
to Christianity's earliest missionaries and Alnwick Castle served as
Hogwarts School in two Harry Potter films. Today, the region is becoming
increasingly popular for cyclists, particularly off-road mountain
biking, but is still a 'sleeping giant' for its potential. Collectively
totaling 355 miles, rides range from 9-26 miles and are typically
suitable for half-day outings. Most are aimed at beginners and leisure
cyclists, with several longer or more adventurous routes (including
mountain-bike trails) for those craving greater challenge. Many are loop
circuits, making travel hassle-free. Several follow established cycle
routes, including the Cathedrals Cycle Route, Coast & Castles, Hadrian's
Cycleway (which broadly follows Hadrian's Wall) and Pennine Cycleway,
and can be linked for longer excursions. So whether you fancy exploring
Northumberland National Park via six loop routes, bouncing around
roller-coaster tracks in Kielder Forest, freewheeling from Antony
Gormley's Angel of the North statue to Newcastle's rejuvenated
riverfront, or enjoying wildlife by bike, Northumbria is a superb
cycling destination with something for everyone - making Bradt's Cycling
in Northumbria brim with inspiration for cyclists of all ages and energy
levels.
