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I've got a Northumberland cycle route map that shows a route called the Cheviot Orbital. The map is pretty poor and I've not managed to find much info online about it.
Has anyone done it and if so can you offer advice or supply a gpx? Is it the sort of thing that someone who didn’t mind a bit of pushing/rattling would enjoy on a crosser?
Ta.
Isn't it a Ted Liddle route? Â Try either the National Park website or his Rievers / Sandstone Way one.
All the NP site offers is a link to buy the (not very good) map.
Generally from memory, yeah, it's ok and cross/gravel bike suits large parts. I'll look at the mapped route more closely and think of anything specific that comes to mind. Off for a ride this morning first though.
That's great, thanks.
Ok, having reminded myself of the "official" route (not exactly what I remembered) I reckon a fast xc 29er would be best (in places) There are few technical or rocky/rooty sections, but there are several parts where the grassy/tussocky (and soft) ground makes a wider tyre better IMO. It's one of those where either way you'll always regret the bike you're on somewhere.
Caveat to anything here is that it's 15yrs since I rode here regularly, but have ridden most of the route over the past couple of years anyway.
Some specifics on the route, assuming starting Wooler, riding anti-clockwise and on a CX/gravel bike:
Wooler - College Valley, short grassy track section, track, road - fast going.
Mount Hooly south up to border ridge grassy track, likely hike a bike up a short steep section (few hundred metres).
Border down to Coquetdale - mostly mix of grassy and forestry/farm tracks (at least 2 options to ride more directly to Barrowburn (maybe worth it on a CX bike but misses the most interesting riding).
Coquetdale - road, optional off road between Shilmoor and Alwinton adds fairly pointless climb/descent. Fast going.
Alwinton - Alnham, basically road. Fast going.
Alnham - Breamish, sketchy memory here. Think the track used is vague in places. Can use road up to Ewartly Shank to pick up Salters Road (actually a track) through to Bleakhope and down Breamish to pick up route just past Linhope. Decent farm/estate style tracks on this diversion but some rough (if on cx) and steep sections.
Breamish to Langleeford. Mixed. Some bits boggy/hard work once past Threestoneburn.
Langleeford to Wooler - generally fine.
Should add that from various points between Alnham and Wooler you can divert east to pick up NCN68 running north back to Wooler. Ingram - Ilderton - Middleton is probs my favourite for cx, mostly fast mix of roads and reasonably all weather tracks.
Fairly long day out, best in prolonged dry spells, don't bother on a truly minging day.
That's great, thank for your help.