I’m hoping some of my routes will be interesting both to those persons visiting a place or region as a tourist, and for locals wishing to follow a cultural loop around many of the sights they are familiar with.
I won’t be able to give an exhaustive history of each individual point of interest, as there are so many eg. in a city, but I’ll mention those that I pass and I may give a little background. Blog posts are intended to whet the appetite and encourage further investigation by the reader.
If you scroll down on the right of the route map, you will also see a route profile.
I have provided a link to each route on Garmin Connect and also a GPX and a FIT file to download, so that you may be able upload the route to your cycling computer or running watch, to follow whilst exercising.
At the bottom of the page a Google Map shows the Start/Finish Point, with an address showing how to find it.
Route Categories :
I have graded the routes based on my opinion of their difficulty. The grades are as follows:
Easy – Generally requiring a basic level of fitness. Usually flatter and over easy terrain, and often quite short (Running : Less than 5 miles / 8kms ; Riding : Less than 20 miles / 32 kms).
Moderate – Requiring a reasonable level of fitness. May include some smaller hills and terrain may be hard going in places. Often medium distances (Running : 5-8 miles / 8-13 kms ; Riding : 20-40 miles / 64 kms).
Challenging – Requiring a good level of fitness. Expect hills and/or difficult terrain, with medium to long distances (Running : 8-10 miles / 13-16 kms ; Riding : 40-80 miles / 129 kms).
Very Hard – Requires a very good level of fitness. Lots of hills, difficult terrain and/or long distances (Running : 10+ miles / 16+ kms ; Riding : 80+ miles / 129+ kms).
The above grades may vary for individual routes if it is felt appropriate, but the reason will be obvious from the blog post.
I have categorised running routes by the largest proportion or most significant terrain type over which they pass. For example, “Amble & Warkworth” is categorised as a tarmac run, as the larger proportion of the run (5.5 miles) is on tarmac and only 3 miles is on trail. I tend to run in trail shoes for a route with this percentage of trail, especially if the going on trails is soft or muddy. In dry conditions, however, road running shoes may be adequate for such a route, and certainly more suited to routes with a very high proportion of tarmac. If I digress from this rule, I will state it in the blog post.
For riding, I have suggested the best bike for the route. Often routes which have been perfect for a gravel or cycle-cross bike may be quite suitable for a mountain bike, or even a road bike in some cases, and vice versa.
Open Water Swimming :
Open Water Swimming is an amazing experience but it can be an inherently dangerous activity. In light of this please take the following advice seriously (as taken from the www.outdoorswimmer.com and www.rnli.org websites):
Top tips for staying safe in open water
Think before you swim. Check your entry and exit points and take into account currents and tides.
Be aware of the presence of underwater obstacles, both manmade and organic.
Don’t mix swimming and alcohol/drugs.
Swim with other people – ideally that know the area and have swum in open water before.
Don’t jump in. Enter the water slowly to prevent ‘cold water shock’.
Let people know where you are and what you’re doing (e.g. inform beach lifeguards or even the coast guard if planning a long coastal swim).
Make sure you’re visible in the water. Wear a brightly coloured cap and consider using a tow-float. Avoid areas busy with boat traffic.
Always keep a close eye at all times on children, persons with serious health conditions and the elderly.
Use life jackets and buoyancy aids where appropriate.
If someone gets in trouble, don’t put yourself at risk but call for help – dial 999 or 112.
If you find yourself in difficulty FLOAT TO LIVE :
FLOAT TO LIVE : The RNLI says there are 5 steps to know how to float:
If you fall in the water, fight your instinct to thrash around.
Lean back, extend your arms and legs.
If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
Float until you can control your breathing.
Only then, call for help or swim to safety.
For more information, see the RNLI’s “Float to Live” campaign – https://rnli.org/pages/ppc/beach-safety/beach-safe-float
If you are not a confident swimmer, consider lessons through an accredited provider. See Swim England’s website for details : www.swimming.org/learntoswim/
Respecting Your Environment :
Although I have tried to avoid it where ever possible, there may be cases where a cycling route crosses footpath to link to the next section of cycleable route eg. where crossing a river would result in a long round trip to find a bridge suitable for cycling, but a footbridge is close or more convenient. Please respect footpaths by pushing your bike.
Please remember to follow the countryside code when out and about. See the following link for more details:
Exercise within your own limits and capabilities, or that of the weakest member of a group.
Always go prepared with the right clothing and shoes, food and water, equipment and navigation tools.
Check the weather forecast before setting off so you know what to expect, but always know that it can change quickly and catch you out.
Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, especially if you are exercising alone.
Don’t rely on mobile phones for contact. Reception may not be available and batteries can run flat. Download the “what3words” App. so that you can be located in an emergency.
