Alnwick Classic

Starting from the small village of Swarland just off the A1 about 7 miles south of Alnwick

About this event

A route designed by Ted Liddle...Combining coast and inland, the Alnwick Classic route is a rare mix of shared use Greenway, a lovely permissive riverside track, superb coastline, quaint and historical Warkworth, minor roads and country lanes, a little-known A1 underpass, tucked away Bridleways, old historical ‘roads’, a section of disused railway track and the south east corner of residential Alnwick. Some road use is required to link up the numerous excellent off-road sections. This event is much more than just a gpx file.

Starting from the small village of Swarland just off the A1 about 7 miles south of Alnwick, Day Ride Event 3 is organised by Cycling Tynedale (new name for Tyne Valley MTB) to raise funds for new routes and facilities in the North East with a donation going to Northumberland Mountain Rescue. Open to riders with sufficient stamina and experience to ride 47 km across undulating countryside using a mix of trail types, this excellent route will once again take you places you didn't know existed and link unexpectedly to ones you did! Part of the entry fee pays for the village hall at the start / end and it will pay for other costs the organisers need to cover. Please regard the remaining sum as a donation towards the Air Ambulance service and new cycle routes and facilities otherwise unfunded which will benefit you in the future. No individuals will profit personally from this event which we know you will MUCH enjoy.

Following the hugely successful Day Bike Event in August, the ride will follow the same format i.e. self-guided and not waymarked. You will be provided a GPX file or if required, a simple map. Following a brief briefing, you will set off to ride this excellent route and enjoy a good four hours of exploration and discovery. Start times will be allocated to riders from 09:30 to fit with Covid protocols which must be followed. The route GPX and more detailed instructions will be emailed to participants three days before the Event. Cycling Tynedale is following Cycling UK Guidance on Covid-19 compliance and best practice for events.

MTB, E-MTB or skilfully-ridden gravel bikes are suitable. One or two sections of the route may prove bumpy for gravel riders. You need to provide a suitable bike in good working condition and be self-sufficient in every way. Volunteers from Cycling Tynedale will provide a limited amount of support and even lead a group for a supplement of £5 paid in cash on the day; this has to be booked in advance. A limited recovery service will be available for genuine emergencies.

The minimum donation to ride is £12 - an optional extra of £3 would be put to good use!