Highland Fling 1000 from Darlington, - now Friday 29/04/2022

[mattc]

Yeah, that helps.

This seemed like such a great idea. But then I realized I've not ridden a long one earlier than July before. And recent years have been sep/aug/Oct. I feel like my biorhythms are all out of sync ...
 

[Paul D]

This seemed like such a great idea. But then I realized I've not ridden a long one earlier than July before. And recent years have been sep/aug/Oct. I feel like my biorhythms are all out of sync ...

Have you not ridden the Chapman in sub 40 hours mid-May more than once? Think of it as having 35 hours to do another 400k after the same effort. No problem 

[yanto]

I've read the Tyne cycle tunnel is daytime use only (6am - 8pm) although ambiguously it does also say it's open to shift workers as well?

I also notice that the access is using the vertical lifts which are large enough for 2 people and 2 bikes, but I can't find any information on their physical dimensions, does anybody know?

Finally can anybody recommend an alternative cycle friendly crossing?

[mattc]

This seemed like such a great idea. But then I realized I've not ridden a long one earlier than July before. And recent years have been sep/aug/Oct. I feel like my biorhythms are all out of sync ...

Have you not ridden the Chapman in sub 40 hours mid-May more than once? Think of it as having 35 hours to do another 400k after the same effort. No problem 

Typical crazy AUK logic! 

[iroiromono]

I've read the Tyne cycle tunnel is daytime use only (6am - 8pm) although ambiguously it does also say it's open to shift workers as well?

I also notice that the access is using the vertical lifts which are large enough for 2 people and 2 bikes, but I can't find any information on their physical dimensions, does anybody know?

Finally can anybody recommend an alternative cycle friendly crossing?

FifeingEijit and I took it on our Dinner Dart this year. I'd say it would be a struggle with a velomobile. It wasn't a massive cargo lift. They're doing work commission the new diagonally moving elevator which is a lot larger. This goes down the shaft for the stairs. If that is in service in May you should be okay.

[L CC]

You can take the ferry.

https://www.nexus.org.uk/ferry/timetable

[Deano]

Have you entered, yanto?

If you're just after info about the tunnel and alternatives, then go for the ferry.

[FifeingEejit]

Tempted to take the ferry mahsel.

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[Deano]

Sunday services are shite, which is one reason I didn't route it that way.

I can send you the route if you like, mind.

[FifeingEejit]

Sunday services are shite, which is one reason I didn't route it that way.

I can send you the route if you like, mind.

If I don't get back on the bike soon it'll be the Monday before I get there
I'll have a proper think about it nearer the time, the only other reason I can see me using that ferry is if I confuse north and South shields again.

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[Deano]

Oh no, not someone else getting their excuses in. I do follow you on Strava, you know.

[Deano]

In other news, I was out route-checking today, and checking the routesheet instructions.

No changes to the published route - I wasn't sure of the route from the 697 to Shilbottle, but this is the shortest route, and it's lovely. There's a hill, and it's a bit rough in places, but the alternative is all hills, and all rough, and you'd have to go through Alnwick, eurgh.

Worth it for the view from the top of Lemmington Bank alone, I reckon:



I was quite happy with the route through North Tyneside, too. Well, as far as I got - it was pissing down from Cresswell south, and I bailed to a train at Cramlington. I stopped at a bus shelter in Ashington to hide from the rain, and a couple walking past checked I was OK, which was lovely. Decent roads between towns, no silly overtakes. A bit of a comedown after Druridge Bay, but what wouldn't be?

I do still have to check the instructions for Cramlington-Washington (be still my beating heart), but nae rush, I don't expect that to change, barring the appearance of a magical cyclepath from the south end of the tunnel to Fatfield Bridge.

[L CC]

I discovered this evening that the ferry isn't running at the moment, apparently one of the piers was damaged in a storm.
Next crossing is the millennium bridge, that's a fair detour.
Plenty of time for it to get fixed, though.

[L CC]

<Looks at calendar>

<looks at waistline>
...

14 weeks. 14 kilos. What can possibly go wrong?

[Rowan]

In other news, I was out route-checking today, and checking the routesheet instructions.

No changes to the published route - I wasn't sure of the route from the 697 to Shilbottle, but this is the shortest route, and it's lovely. There's a hill, and it's a bit rough in places, but the alternative is all hills, and all rough, and you'd have to go through Alnwick, eurgh.

Worth it for the view from the top of Lemmington Bank alone, I reckon:



I was quite happy with the route through North Tyneside, too. Well, as far as I got - it was pissing down from Cresswell south, and I bailed to a train at Cramlington. I stopped at a bus shelter in Ashington to hide from the rain, and a couple walking past checked I was OK, which was lovely. Decent roads between towns, no silly overtakes. A bit of a comedown after Druridge Bay, but what wouldn't be?

I do still have to check the instructions for Cramlington-Washington (be still my beating heart), but nae rush, I don't expect that to change, barring the appearance of a magical cyclepath from the south end of the tunnel to Fatfield Bridge.

I know that road well, great views down to the coast,  Big climb up Lemmington bank,  (probably the biggest in this part of northumberland).  Don't fancy your ride down the 697 (far too many logging trucks cornhill to wooperton),  can think of far quieter roads from Duns to Shilbottle.   

[yanto]

Have you entered, yanto?

If you're just after info about the tunnel and alternatives, then go for the ferry.

No not entered, I'm half and half, would really like to, but not sure I would be physically capable so soon into the season (for me), especially knowing the steepness of some of the roads, I will look into ferry though.

[FifeingEejit]

Oh no, not someone else getting their excuses in. I do follow you on Strava, you know.

haha aye, 2 rides this year to finish an RRTY and keep one RRTY going, everything else on strava is annoying lunch time walks.
14 weeks... loads of time.

[Deano]

I know that road well, great views down to the coast,  Big climb up Lemmington bank,  (probably the biggest in this part of northumberland).  Don't fancy your ride down the 697 (far too many logging trucks cornhill to wooperton),  can think of far quieter roads from Duns to Shilbottle.   

Thanks, Rowan - can you point me at the quieter roads that fit the criteria of quiet roads, direct and simple routing, decent surface, suitable for riders looking for sleep at Shilbottle and shorter than my route?

[Deano]

...and it's over three quarters full.

No pressure to enter, but if you want to ride, I'll probably be closing entries in a few weeks, at the current rate.

And that's it, it's full.

[Graeme]

...and it's over three quarters full.

No pressure to enter, but if you want to ride, I'll probably be closing entries in a few weeks, at the current rate.

And that's it, it's full.

 

[Phil W]

How many riders is that then?

[FifeingEejit]

How many riders is that then?

Enough for Comrie to live up to its sub-title?

[Deano]

How many riders is that then?

100 plus volunteers. The calendar page does tell you this, Phil.

[Deano]

How many riders is that then?

Enough for Comrie to live up to its sub-title?

"The Spiritual Home of Scottish Audaxing"?

[Deano]

Oh, and if anyone is audax-curious, I'm still after a few helpers at the finish in Darlo, at Castle Douglas on the Thursday night, and at Shilbottle on the Saturday night.