Travellers’ tales: Cycling from the source to sea

Where: Tyne Valley
Who: Jonah York
When: May 2025

The source of the River Tyne is at Deadwater in Kielder Forest. It’s a quiet place, especially first thing in the morning, which is when a group of young dads from the Wheel Good Dads cycling group – part of the North East Young Dads and Lads project – set off on an 85-mile journey to the sea.

The ride was part of the Birds, Bikes, Bees and Trees initiative, funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund. It involved cycling, environmental education and community spirit.

One dad said the water looked clean enough to drink, although no one did

Armed with water-testing kits and a sense of purpose, these ‘green ambassadors’ paused regularly to check the Tyne’s water quality. At the source it was crystal clear. One dad said it looked clean enough to drink, although no one did.

On the second day, the landscape shifted from forest to bustling towns. The river widened. Water tests revealed signs of pollution: rising levels of nitrates and phosphates. Salty sea air signalled journey’s end at North Shields.

“It was an experience I never thought I’d get,” one dad reflected. “Testing the water and seeing the changes made me realise how important this river is, and how much we need to look after it.”