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Tynemouth to Edinburgh on route 1

Philip Howard2020-08-23 18:10:08

I'm planning to cycle from Tynemouth to Edinburgh on route 1 with my daughter over 4 days taking the coastal route on our Dawes Duet tandem. We are both experienced cyclists but novice tandemers. Any advice on direction or accommodation, etc. 
Philip (55) and Abby (27)

Tim Dowson2020-08-23 20:48:34

This goes through some lovely coastlines and country but with some tougher hills too. Some sections are surprisingly  remote and the weather can be wild - at any time of year.  It'sprobably worth your doing some day rides together before taking this on - 4 days would certainly not be too long to allow.  DIrection hardly matters unless there's another storm on its way but I would try to use youth hostels as they have better drying facilities if the weather does turn wet. The problem at the moment, with covid, is the lack of cafes for warming up in..  When are you hoping to ride it?

Neil Plant2020-08-23 21:09:03

We rode the Coast and Castles South a couple of years back on the tandem in early September.  We did Newcastle to Edinburgh over 4 days but took the inland route through the Borders after Berwick.  We stayed in B&Bs in Alnmouth, Berwick and Melrose.  It was excellent and we did take a diversion to Lindisfarne on day 2 which added about 10 miles.  The only tricky bits were just after Lindisfarne where we were riding singletrack on a berm across dunes and the approach to Berwick on the clifftops which was off road and a bit potholed.  Most of the serious hills we encountered were after Berwick through the Borders.  The bit from the Moorfoots towards Edinburgh was good as it involved something like 10 miles downhill so no pedalling!  Before that it was all pretty easy.  September is quite a good time as it's usually better weather in the East (harvest time).  We had three good weather days and one a bit cloudy with some drizzle.  There's lots to see en-route and hopefully some of the cafes are still open.  Enjoy it!

Neil.

Simon Dale2020-08-23 21:34:21

We did this route last year in 4 days - staying at Amble, Lindisfarne, Dunbar and then Limekilns on the west of Edniburgh (over the bridge).  Echo previous comments about sketchy tracks in certain areas and some draggy sections of road (eg., on the route into Dunbar)  We followed the coast line as best we could. On reflection we'd probably add a day as there were some great stopping points that didn't get the time they deserved (Newton by the Sea,  Portobello, Bamburgh).