More in Northumberland

As I previously mentioned, I have just moved and just purchased another bike, both of which nicely coincided nicely with the start of the summer holidays so myself and Mrs Blokeonabike decided it might be nice to get away for a few days and headed to Northumberland. During a moment of lunacy, I decided it might be nice to take the Genesis and give it a test over the many trails and lanes that exist close to where we where staying, as it turned out, this was quite a good idea.
Ride 1- Hepple to Clennel Street
Looking on the map, it appeared that a bridleway ran about 100 metres behind the cottage we where staying in and joined up to several others that would eventually lead to Alwinton (the last place of civilization in the borders) and onto Clennel Street (an old Roman road that crosses the Cheviots to the Scottish borders). After much pontificating and looking at maps (map reading isn't my strong point) a route was worked out and so bright and early on Sunday morning, I set off. The bridleway did indeed run close to the cottage, it was also fairly evident that it didn't get a lot of use. It also ran uphill, not good on a single gear of 42/18! Much puffing, panting and uttering of profanities later and I was at the top of a small hill wishing that I had purchased a bike with gears, still, the decent was fun.

About an hour in and I was at Alwinton having ridden most of the 8 or so miles cross country on bridleways and farm tracks. I picked up Clennel Street and began to ascend. Now, I know this particular hill from the Alwinton show fell race and had vague memories of crawling up (albeit a different part) on all fours swearing and nearly passing out so it was no surprise when about 4 milliseconds later I was lugging 22lbs of single speed cyclocross bike up a rather large hill.
A quick turn around and a blast of a decent and I retraced my steps back to the cottage, in all about 2:30 of riding and about 20 miles covered. A nice test of the Genesis and a bit of a different experience.
Ride 2 - Simonside loop
A quick ride down the road and across the river to the other side of the Coquet valley and I picked up a bridleway that runs up to the top of Simonside (a large ridge of hills just south of Rothbury, very popular with walkers and Mountain bikers). This is ridable for about a mile and then it was off and pushing due to (a) the gradient and (b) the rock strewn path being to technical to ride in a large gear.

About half a mile of pushing and you can ride again, you basically cross grazing land whilst heading uphill on a steep sheep track until you reach a style.
Crossing the style puts you in the forestry commission land where a track (clearly visible and marked) runs you around and through the forest and up to Simonside.

The ride through the forest was fun and reminded me of riding early rigid mountain bikes. The gradient was shallow enough to be doable on the gear I had and the track well surfaced with gravel and limestone. Emerging from the forest, you end up just below the summit with fantastic views down to Rothbury in the valley and the Cheviots in the distance.
A rapid descent to the car park, a right turn onto the road and 100 metres or so and you pick up another bridleway that takes you down to Rothbury via Tossan Tower. Then through Rothbury and along the riverside path to Thropton and then back along the road to Hepple. Again, about 15-20 miles and a real blast.
So what do I think of the Day One Cross?
Well, i'm very impressed. It's a nice bike to ride and more than capable of light off-road riding. It would be better with gears but I bought it to commute on and didn't want to spend a lot of money. The bike is lively and sure footed and is really good fun to ride, it gives you a few more options than a single speed road bike, is very comfortable (probably due to the 35mm tyres) and the mini V brakes are powerful compared to the usual dual pivot brakes found on cheaper road bike. Overall then, a great purchase that I would heartily recommend as your next N+1.
Oh, and please, do visit Northumberland, it is one of the quietest, most picturesque parts of the UK and superb for cycling, especially the Coquet Valley.

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