Summary
2024
January
Started off strong, with the first weekend of the year having an alternative Breakfast Blast ride hosted by Ian S, unfortunately for him it resulted in a trip to A&E.
Tony D also hosted a session of loops at Cramlington later in the month, the cafe stop was good old Greggs in the industrial estate for a bacon sandwich and a cuppa to warm through.
The Sunday club ride headed to Morpeth, Capheaton, Roker and the Garage cafe. All of the Sunday rides were well attended, especially for the time of year, perhaps everyone was just keen to get out on their bikes.
We also had a bit of a get together and most importantly a head to head battle with Tynemouth Sailing Club with Ian W hosting our very first Quiz night. The cyclists claimed victory over the sailors, perhaps a rematch in 2025?
February
February saw the Sunday ride visit Wheelbirks (and see the Donkeys), Capheaton and Swarland.
Gravel ride to Parkhead was also well attended, Dan R posted the ride and it was very popular. Everyone taking the opportunity to get out on some trails and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine and rare to see the river Tyne so pan flat. Unfortunately Parkhead wasn’t open so we descended down to Pedalling Squares cafe for a bite to eat.
The usual suspects rode on a Monday night gravel throughout February too, a special shout out those few riders (Alex H and Michael H) who cycle to work every day and turn out most Monday nights as well.
March
March started out with a rather chilly Sunday ride up to the drift cafe, only 3 degrees or so on the way up and a few more on the way back down.
NTR also held our annual awards night at Marvel Hall in Whitley Bay. We had around 40 riders in attendance and a big well done to those of you who took away awards on the night. It’s always nice to see people in “normal” clothes and not in lycra.
Mid-month we visited Bolam Lake cafe via Ritton bank, a good opportunity for riders to stretch their legs as for most riders the ride was over 100km, not too shabby for early season. Climbing legs were also put to the test with Ritton bank climb, short but a few sections hitting over 16%. It seems that Dave T had found his good legs earlier in the season than some others.
The 24th of March saw a group of NTR head to the Impromptu Cafe at Elsdon, another ride that was well over 100km. The cafe owners were finally retiring and NTR went out to say goodbye and thank them for many happy visits by NTR members over the years.
Outside of the club Wiggle (a popular cycling website) was having a clearout due to them entering administration, many members got new kit, so if you see riders in purple Fizik winter boots and DHB shell jackets you’ll know why. One member even managed to bag themselves a half price gravel bike.
April
April was yet another wet month, we had major flooding early in the month with some of our major roads being underwater putting yet another stop to some of our regular club rides and several of our regular off road tracks remained flooded.
10th Birthday Offroad ride that was hosted by Derek B was very well attended, most riders did the full 100 mile route with a handful chopping the route down a few miles (and feeling very smug about it when the rain arrived). Another fantastic day out that ended in a pub.
M102B Time Trial saw a few NTR riders take part in NTRs first hosted event of the year, Darren R (MCC/NTR) took the club fastest time at just over 21 min, Alistair B (25 min) , John N (25 min), Lee W (26 min), Dave L (26 min), Jamie M (26 Min), Scott N (26 min), David T (26 min) Aidan R (26 min), John P (27 minutes), David G (27 minutes), Dean Mc (27 minutes) Tom B (28 min), Phil R (28 min), Justin H (28 min) and finally Phil G (29 minutes). A huge turnout of riders and of course volunteers from the club to make it happen.
Viola (of Sideways Bike) hosted a maintenance session at the scout hut in North Shields, this covered everything you need to know about tubeless tyres and getting them set up. Take reading this as a reminder to check your sealant levels in your bike(s). Big thanks to V for hosting a number of sessions on various different topics.
With the clocks having changed, many members were keen to start to make use of the slightly lighter evenings, this included getting the Guidepost Trot / Gallop back underway.
We also squeezed in a Saturday road ride to Matfen, stopping for pie and beans.
May
May started off with the usual Spring Classic ride, covering Tynemouth to Seahouses and back and again (for several years in a row now) it’s was damp. We had a good number of riders head up to Seahouses and back, with some happy they made it to McDonald’s in time for the breakfast menu, followed by Pizza at Tynemouth Cricket club for a social post ride pint.
Tony D again hosted the popular ride to Arran, it was a popular turnout with some long days in the saddle. It was well attended by NTR members and the maximum number that could be catered for went. It seems everyone who went enjoyed themselves and the weather seemed kind.
The Gralloch is a UCI World gravel event and we had several riders head up to Scotland for a tough course, covering 110 KM with 1800m of climbing and some steep climbs / descents it was a tough ride. Ian G was lucky (fast) enough to qualify for his age category meaning he could take part in the World Gravel Championships, completing the course in 4 Hrs 21. Dan R completed in 4hrs 28, Caroline C in 5hrs 30 and Paula S in 5hrs 48.
A few riders also took on the crazy challenge of Cinglés du Mont Ventoux, this is 3x up MT Ventoux from 3 different directions, the riders set off early to try to avoid the worst of the sun. Dan R, Jenny N and David T all completed 4400m of climbing in 140km.
Outside of cycling the North East got an amazing show from the Northern Lights and the dirtbags spotted new metro trains.
June
The Dirtbags went on one of the club subsidised rides, a bike packing trip, arranged by Lee Head. 6 Members enjoyed some trails in Yorkshire and a little extra adventure by going off course. Lee, Gareth, Dan, John, Scott and Gary had a great time, hopefully that muddy ravine has been long forgotten by now.
NTR also hosted the 50 Mile TT and we had a number of people volunteer to make this event happen. A shoutout to Justin Heath (2hrs 26), Dave Lavery (2hrs 20) and Darren Robson (in MCC Kit but we’ll forgive him) (1hr 53) who all rode this event.
Saw Ian S also put on some long days out on a Saturday, a trip to the ranges made for a long day out for 6 NTR riders.
C2C2C, certainly a ride of two halves. The NTR crew set off early from Tynemouth to head over to Powfooot on the west coast where they were booked in for lunch. Shortly after departing from Powfoot the rain started, there were still over 100 miles to cover and with the rain falling along with a chilly wind many of our riders were freezing. A few opted for the train home and a few did make it back to Tynemouth
Two opportunities to ride Hadrian’s cycleway planned by Keith F. There was a lot of interest and this ended up being put on as two separate rides due to not everyone being able to agree on the best date.
