London - New Castle & back

[jlpueser]

Hello,
I'm a Spaniard who wants to ride from London-Stansted to New Castle and back with a hybrid bike from July 23rd. My idea is to do it in stages of 50-60 miles and going back through different places, of course.

I have no idea about UK geography. I only know, thanks to the tour, that Peak District is really beautiful. So, would you mind to suggest me the places I shouldn't miss by any means, so that I can draw my route?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Jose.

 

[jay clock]

As long as you avoid the main roads you will be fine. There are always lots of smaller roads that allow you to do that. Well, almost always!. The cities on the east coast like Middlesborough and Hull are very industrial and personally I would avoid. Parts of south Yorkshire (Leeds/Bradford) are also big cities, and I would not aim to cycle straight through them, but the countryside round and about is lovely. North Yorkshire is very rural. The Lake District is beautiful, but can be rainy. The east side of the country is drier. Newcastle is a lively and friendly place.

 

[raleighnut]

Have a look at National Cycle Route 6, some on dedicated off road cycle paths, quiet country lanes and converted railway lines. Well signposted too.

 

[HelenD123]

Jose - the Tour went through Yorkshire not the Peak District! The Peak District is nice too though. I'd second the idea of following one or more of the Sustrans national cycle routes. There are many country roads in the UK and it's time consuming checking the map at every junction, particularly if you don't know the area.

 

[jlpueser]

As you see, my UK geography knowledge is poor...
By the way, I've seen in other forums that some people lack faith on Sustrans routes and even they complain a lot about them, saying that you find many times impossible to pass through different points and you have to come back...
Thanks in any case, guys!

 

[raleighnut]

As you see, my UK geography knowledge is poor...
By the way, I've seen in other forums that some people lack faith on Sustrans routes and even they complain a lot about them, saying that you find many times impossible to pass through different points and you have to come back...
Thanks in any case, guys!

Some people will moan about anything, if you gave them a tenner they'd say it wasn't a new one. Never come across a cycle route that was impassible, cycle paths yes but not cycle routes.

 

[jay clock]

Jose I would tend to agree slightly about the sustrans routes. Can sometimes be down narrow rocky footpaths, and not easy with panniers on. Buen viaje! If you smile a lot then you will get a warm bienvenido from the locals!

 

[KneesUp]

How long have you got?

Assuming a decent amount of time I'd look at seeing The Cotswolds, the Welsh borders, the Pennines / Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales. In terms of man-made things I suppose it'd be some of the Costwold villages (Bourton in the Water or similar), York Minster and some industrial heritage around the Potteries and/or Manchester / Sheffield.

I'd consider coming back down the coast at least as far as Hull, or maybe further - if you cycle in Lincolnshire / Cambridgeshire you'll find a very different landscape.

 

[jlpueser]

How long have you got?

Assuming a decent amount of time I'd look at seeing The Cotswolds, the Welsh borders, the Pennines / Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales. In terms of man-made things I suppose it'd be some of the Costwold villages (Bourton in the Water or similar), York Minster and some industrial heritage around the Potteries and/or Manchester / Sheffield.

I'd consider coming back down the coast at least as far as Hull, or maybe further - if you cycle in Lincolnshire / Cambridgeshire you'll find a very different landscape.

I start cyling on 24th and I've to take the plane in Stansted on August 20th.
Thanks for all the messages. They are really helpful to me. Now I'm drawing the route based on your advice.
Thanks again!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Some people will moan about anything, if you gave them a tenner they'd say it wasn't a new one. Never come across a cycle route that was impassible, cycle paths yes but not cycle routes.

Generally I'd agree. But at some specific points in Wales at least one the Sustrans routes is notoriously impassable on a loaded touring bike after rain - rain in Wales! whodathoughit? - and pretty ruddy hard work on an unloaded mtb with mud tyres on.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

NW through the Midlands then through the Peak District, carry on N through the Yorkshire Dales and strike NW for the Lake District then up and over the Pennines to Newcastle, S through the North Yorkshire Moors, onto York, then Lincoln, detour to the Wash/North Norfolk coast then Cambridge....

... well it would be my idea of a month on wheels in England starting from NE of London.

 

[raleighnut]

NW through the Midlands then through the Peak District, carry on N through the Yorkshire Dales and strike NW for the Lake District then up and over the Pennines to Newcastle, S through the North Yorkshire Moors, onto York, then Lincoln, detour to the Wash/North Norfolk coast then Cambridge....

... well it would be my idea of a month on wheels in England starting from NE of London.

Pretty much National Cycle route 6 at least up into the peak district

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Pretty much National Cycle route 6 at least up into the peak district

For sure, and a heck of a lot of it could be done on other Sustrans style routes too, I think, even if they can be a bit circuitous.

 

[jlpueser]

Pretty much National Cycle route 6 at least up into the peak district

Hi! I've just started the trip. Yesterday I slept in Bishops Stortford and today a short first day trip to Cambridge. Nice way. The problem is that I'm not able to decide where to go!! Anyway, all your tips are welcome and I'll try to make a mix with all of them :-)
Now I'm studying where to go tomorrow from Cambridge...

 

[KneesUp]

Southwold (if you have time) is a real seaside town, and is 80 miles east. Then follow the coast around to Boston, and cut inland to have a look at Lincoln. That's the next few days sorted