Hexam loops
Hexam Abbey
Colin Nicholson's Hexam Loops
Colin and his wife Val, are both members of the Honda Owners Club. This year they have decided to see as much of the country as possible by bike and have visited a number of the club's Saddlesore destinations, including Marazion in Cornwall amost 500 miles from home.
But his favourite route is on his own doorstep. He has put forward a figure eight or two loops which gives the advantage of splitting the ride into two days.
Our starting point is Hexham, a historic market town on the banks of the River Tyne. The town is dominated by its 12th Century Abbey and it is from here that our ride starts. Of course it being a loop (well two) you can pick up the pace anywhere.
When asked what makes it this run so special, Colin can painstakingly run through no end of wonderful cafes and villages that demand exploring. But pushing him I ask, "why its such a great run for a biker"? Well without hesitation he replies, "its the views and open scenery".
Colin & Val on their Street Twin
Colin owns two modern bikes. Both ideal for this run. His Honda is a cherry red NC750S with dual clutch transmission (DCT). His other bike being a Triumph Street Twin 900. Living in Consett means he's under 10 miles from Hexam. The biking playground of The North Pennines, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB), Northumberland Coast ANOB, Kielder Forest and Northumberland National Park are all in easy striking distance. Even the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales are pretty close.
Covering miles in this area is a breeze given the lack of traffic, roundabouts and lights. I am quite jealous!
Sci Fi
Colin's Route
Heading out south from Hexam on B6305 you are virtually straight into the North Pennines ANOB. The first major settlement you reach is Allendale. It's a small town with a population of just over 2,000. On the right as you enter you may be surprised to find a police call box and a dalek at the side of the road. Allendale is home of The Classic Sci Fi museum. Entry is currently £7 for an adult.
Colin recommends the Allendale Forge & Studios which he says is a vibrant art gallery, gift shop & cafe. It is just opposite the museum. There should be plenty of available parking.
"sheep grid" above Crawleyside
Heading towards Stanhope on the A689 take a left onto the B6278 between two rows of houses into Crawleyside Road. Here the road rises steeply as you soon return to open countryside. The cattle grid is an indicator to a potential hazard on the road. But it is sheep that can be the miscreants as they sunbathe on the tarmac.
At Kiln Pit Hill take a left onto the A68 and head back towards Hexam.
On the roundabout junction of A68/A69 there is another cafe Colin recommends, Brockbushes Farm Shop & Tea Room is at the north side, but we'll take the 2nd left at the roundabout and head west SP Jedburgh
Back on the A69, take a right turn after a little over 6 miles. SP Acomb & Bellingham.
Access to Chollerford is via an 18th Century stone bridge that passes over The North Tyne River. There are lights at either ends to control traffic....you'll see why in the photo below.
The village is well worth a visit, if only for yet another of Colin's recommendations, The Riverside Kitchen.
Hareshaw Linn
Bellingham (Colin pronounced the G as in ginger) is another one of those villages that requires more attention. Gateway to Northumberland National Park snd famous as a stopping point on the Pennine Way trail, it is popular with walkers and cyclists. Nearby is the Hareshaw Linn, a waterfall, with a linear trail from the village. Download the walking map here
There is also "Tea on the Train" where you can have a cream tea in a stationary train carriage.
The furtherest north point of a route takes us to Otterburn, which lies 15 miles off the Scottish Border. In Otterburn, Colin recommends the Otterburn Mill Cafe. From here it is a relatively straighforward route back to Hexam
Entrance to Chollerford