Coast and Castles May 2023

ByPiers Lesser

Clubroom Friday 13/10/2023

John Scorah

John talking
Glad we did and wish we did

CTC 13/10/23
John Scorah Coast & castles

Another fascinating talk, showing how a really good trip can be had without going to extremes, which makes it a realistic proposition for ordinary cyclists.

Started Wednesay in May 2023
Accommodation was booked a day in advance.

Day 1 Halifax to Whitley Bay.
Travelling on train with TransPennineExpress they found that the bike lockers need both doors unlocking to be able to use them.
Premier Inns allow bikes into the room if clean.

Day2 Whitley Bay to Embleton.
Most of surface is ok some is sandy or a little rough.
The Drift Cafe Cresswell is just before Amble & very popular.

Day3 Embleton to Berwick.
The Outchester Ducket looks like but never was a windmill.
Berwick has a cycle repair stand on the NCN.
They stayed in a Premier inn again.

Day4 Berwick to Jedburgh, deviating at Kelso.
The route then follows the river Tweed but they had to go to Jedburgh for accommodation as none was available nearer the route.
Tourist Information Offices can book accommodation but most of them are now closed.
They did 30-40 miles a day which was fine for Jill’s battery

Day5 Jedburgh to Innerleithen.

Day6 “Rest day” Innerleithen to Melrose & back 38 miles, stayed at Traquair Arms

Day7 Innerleithen to Edinburgh.
There is a ‘sitooterie’ (sic) in Innerleithen.

Discussion:

The coastal northern route is quite remote.
A lot of B and Bs & hotels don’t use booking.com as they take too much money for the smaller B& Bs so
google is better as they go directly to websites.
The consensus was that worth booking in advance but then no contingency.

Similar Posts