A new challenge was needed to get away from the mundane work cycle. We'd cruised through a C2C so thought we'd attempt something a bit bigger.

The challenge was route 68 from Berwick Upon Tweed to Derby. Most blogs and comments seemed to indicate not doing more than 50 miles a day. We only had 5 days including the train ride to Berwick...and using a 10mile an hour average it was surely possible. So the plan was 30 miles after the train ride on day 1, then 80 a day. Surely enough time for 4 hours in the morning a nice lunch and 4 hours in the afternoon to get in for tea. Well that was the plan...here's the reality.

Day 2 – Wooler to Alston

Having had a very comfortable night’s sleep at No1 Hotel and Wine Lodge we made the most important mistake of the day. We wanted to be on the road for about 8am to get a good start. Unfortunately, breakfast wasn’t served early enough but instead of taking a pack out and setting off we thought it more beneficial to get some calories in before we start. At 9:15 we hit the road. It wasn’t until later in the day that we would understand how crucial the hour delay would impact us.

The first six miles out of Wooler was undulating back roads trending upwards, all on the east side of the Northumberland National Park. After passing through Ilderton we reached the first Peak at over 600ft. However, we already hit a psychological barrier having had to get off our bikes several times to cross foot bridges over fords and streams. It was constantly drizzling and after only 6 miles it was 10:15am. We already felt so behind schedule.

10 miles in and we reached Branton, a small hamlet situated in the Breamish Valley which lies in the foothills of the Cheviot Hills. At just over 300ft this was the lowest point of the day.

The next 10 miles headed south to south west and was another undulating section with an uphill trend reaching 840ft. At 23 miles we crossed the River Coquet and made our way through Harbottle, still only 10 miles South east of the Scottish boarder. It was 12:10 and with a quarter of the days ride behind us and 3 hours in we were worried a 12-hour day was ahead meaning a finishing time of after 9pm. Not what we planned.

Following the B6341 to Elsdon, which has a very fine example of a Motte and Bailey Castle, and a near perfect Pele Tower (fortified house of a type found in the border country) now a private residence, we left the road and continued south west towards East and West Woodburn to what we thought was the halfway point at around 40 miles. Crossing the A68 our path still headed South West to Bellington.

The next 20 miles took us on the edge of Kielder Forest Park. A draining section still heading South West and gradually uphill until reaching peaks of over 900ft. At the 57-mile mark we headed directly south to Cawburn before switching east to the highest point of the day at 956ft 63 miles in. This is a cracking viewing point of the Hadrian’s Wall near Crag Lough and one of the most photographed trees in the country, Sycamore Gap Tree or also known as Robin Hood Tree. It was an amazing moment to have 5 minutes off the bike. But at 18:10, absolutely shattered and still with 15 miles to go we couldn’t stay long.

I’ve got to say the final section of the day was a killer for us, mentally and physically. From the view point we had a good 4 miles downhill before crossing the A69 and heading west toward Hartwhistle. Being drained we had a quick refuel in Hartwhistle before continuing as quick as we could to get to Alston.

We thought at this point there was only 10 miles left till a well-deserved shower and good food. We got over 10 miles and no signs for Alston. We past Slaggyford and still no signs. The forest track would be a lovely ride on a normal day but at this point it was like pedalling through sand. Continuing uphill we were tempted by the road close by, but we decided to stick to the track. Eventually signs appeared for Alston and pedalling in treacle we made it to the Cumberland Hotel, our digs for the night. It was after 9pm but the bar was still open and calling ahead was a benefit as we had food saved.

I recorded the day’s ride as totalling 80.76 miles with 5,110ft of climbing. Although the Garmin battery ran out, so the accurate distance was 89.75. 9 miles our mind and body didn’t prepare for.