Tees Valley Cycling Events 2008 Welcome to Tees Valley’s Cycling Events programme for 2008! Most rides are led and marshalled by experienced guides and many are designed for families or novice cyclists with an easy pace and lots of stops. Most rides are free and events are graded to help you choose the rides most suited to your experience.
General Information
Trained Leaders Unless stated otherwise all the rides will be guided by trained ride leaders accompanied by a team of trained support riders.
What you’ll need • Some of the rides include stops for a picnic, please ensure you bring one along! • You should bring a drink and snack • You may have the opportunity to buy refreshments, it will normally say in the description overleaf if this is the case • You should bring your own bike and basic equipment needed to maintain it such as a pump and lights for the evenings • We strongly recommend you wear a cycle helmet • You will need to bring appropriate clothing/protection in case of rain or sun! • Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Key to Ride Levels Some of the rides are very easy and suitable for children and families, some are more difficult, please refer to the key markings on each ride to decide what’s best for you.
One bike means that the ride is easy. It will be taken slowly, and on relatively flat ground. Two bikes means that the ride is moderate, it will be at a moderate pace and on flat or slightly hilly ground. Three bikes means more challenging, a longer ride including steep hills. ☺ The smiley face symbol means the ride is especially suitable for families , Women’s rides
www.doitbycycle.com Tees Valley Cycling Events 2008
March
Tees Bridges (Tees Cycle Circuit) Stockton - Sunday 16th March Start: 10:00am Tees Barrage Duration: 1 hour & 4 hours Distance: 6 miles & 21 miles A gentle ride along the banks of the Tees, crossing bridges – old and new – and coinciding with the Sport Relief Mile challenge. For the more energetic, a longer route of 21 miles takes us on a loop through Middlesbrough, Hylton, and Ingleby Barwick, with countryside talks from the Wildlife Trust on the way – contact 01642 592832 to book for this option.
April
Myton Meander Stockton - Sunday 6th April Start: 10:00am Myton House Pub, Ingleby Barwick Duration: 2 hours Distance: 10 miles This ride takes us from the centre of Ingleby Barwick to the recreation, education, leisure and retail opportunities of Teesdale and the Barrage. Family Ride Darlington - Sunday 13th April Start: 11.00am Dolphin Centre Duration: 2.5 hours ☺ An easy paced guided ride suitable for the whole family. The ride will follow the Eastbourne cycle route before heading towards the River Skerne cycle path and on through North Park to West Park.
Eight Bridges Middlesbrough - Sunday 20th April Start: 10:00 Middlesbrough Cycle Centre Duration: 2 hours Distance: 7.5 miles An opportunity to join Middlesbrough Environment City for a tour of the eight bridges cycle way between Middlesbrough and Stockton. A ride exploring the historic bridges and natural places along the river Tees.
Guisborough Forest Redcar - Sunday 27th April Start: 10.30am Guisborough Branch Walkway Car Park nr Pincinthorpe Duration: 2 hours Distance: 6.5 miles ☺ A short circular ride through the lower routes of the forest returning via the disused rail line through Guisborough. Good introduction to off road riding for anyone over the age of 8 years with some good views of Guisborough.
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Twenty’s Plenty Darlington - Saturday 10th May Start: 10.00am Cockerton Library Duration: 3.5 hours A 20 mile ride which heads west out of Darlington, passing through some of the villages of County Durham and North Yorkshire, including Summerhouse, Langton and Piercebridge. The ride will be moderately paced and is an ideal warm up for the tourist trials in the summer.
Railway Run Stockton - Sunday 11th May Start: 9:30am Wynyard Woodland Park Visitors Centre Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 12 miles Something for both experienced and newer riders. A ride along the former Castle Eden railway line (National Cycle Route 1) to Hurworth Burn and back via Wynyard Woodland Park
South Gare Breakwater Redcar - Sunday 18th May Start: 10am Majuba Road Car Park – Redcar Duration: 2 hours Distance: 6.5miles ☺ A unique opportunity to ride along the privately owned road from Redcar to the tip of the River Tees at South Gare. Special permission has been granted by Corus for this ride to take place. Take in close up views of the Steel and Chemical works and before reaching the spectacular South Gare breakwater at the mouth of the Tees. Opportunities to view a variety of sights including wildlife, shipwrecks, fishermen’s huts and boats and if you are lucky ships entering and leaving Teesport. Woodlands and wetlands Middlesbrough - Sunday 18th May Start: 10:00 Middlesbrough Cycle Centre Duration: 4 hours Distance: 25 miles Join Middlesbrough Environment City on a tour of some of Tees Valley’s woodlands and wetlands on a route including Billingham Beck Valley and Wynyard Woodland Park. Women’s Ride West Darlington - Sunday 25th May Start: 11.00am Cockerton Library Duration: 2.5 hours , A ride for women, led by women heading west from Cockerton for a picnic on the green at Aldbrough St John. In the event of inclement weather refreshments can be purchased from the Stanwick Arms in Aldbrough St John.
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Head for the hills Middlesbrough - Sunday 8th June Start : 10:00 Middlesbrough Cycle Centre Duration: 5 hours Distance: 25 miles A ride providing an opportunity to explore the green corridors from Middlesbrough into the wider countryside including Guisborough Forest, Northwest outskirts of the borough, visiting 9 areas of woodland. Stockton Circular Stockton - Sunday 15th June Start 10:00 Municipal Buildings, Stockton Duration: 3 hours Distance: 12 miles For the start of National Bike Week, this ride uses national and local cycle routes to explore some of the outskirts of Stockton, taking in town, river and countryside. Festival of Cycling Sunday 15th June - South Park 11.00am to 4.00pm Big Bikeathon Festival of Cycling: 10.30am to 4.00pm ☺ A celebration of cycling with activities and displays for all ages and abilities, from children and beginners to the more experienced cyclist, including obstacle courses, free bike try outs and BMX displays. This year's festival will also incorporate, The Big Bikeathon (in aid of Leukaemia Research Fund) Sunday 15th June - South Park 10.30am Big Bikeathon Festival of Cycling: 10.30am to 4.00pm A ride very much aimed at families with smaller children, the Big Bikeathon is a gentle cycle around the pathways of the beautifully restored South Park and raise money for a very worthy cause at the same time.
www.doitbycycle.com Wynyard Wheeler Hartlepool - Sunday 15th June Start: 10am Wynyard Woodland Country Park Duration: 5 Hours Distance: 14 miles Join the Countryside Access Team for a ‘Wheely good day out’ cycling from Wynyard Woodland Country Park to Hartlepool. Using tracks and dismantled railway lines this 14 mile route is a must for cyclists who prefer traffic free routes. Bring a bike, a packed lunch and suitable clothing. Booking essential. Please contact the Countryside Access Team on 01429 523419 for further information and departure details. Cost: £3 for minibus transport to Wynyard from Hartlepool.
Midsummer Ride Stockton - Wednesday 18th June Start 7:00pm Tees Barrage Duration 1.5 hours Distance 6 miles A picturesque & easy evening, following cycle paths on both sides of the Tees, taking in the sights and sounds of the midsummer riverbanks. Evening Ride to Walworth Darlington - Wednesday 18th June Start: 6:30pm Dolphin Centre Join the ever popular midsummer evening ride to Archer’s Jersey Ice Cream parlour at Walworth. (Please bring lights in case of unforeseen circumstances).
Crown & Parliament (Stainton Loop optional) Stockton - Sunday 22nd June Start 10:00 Preston Park Duration: 2 hours (3 hours for Stainton Loop) Distance: 8 miles (15 miles) An exploration the fascinating history and geography of Egglescliffe, Yarm and Eaglescliffe. For the more adventurous there is a longer ride into the villages to the south of the Borough.
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Summer Lovin’ Singles Ride Darlington - Wednesday 9th July Start: 6:30pm Dolphin Centre Duration: 2.5 hours A moderately paced guided bike ride which offers a chance to get away from it all, have fun and meet like minded people.
2 Wheels, 9 Woods Stockton - Sunday 13th July Start 10:00 Wynyard Woodlands Park visitors centre Duration: 3 hours Distance: 11 miles A longer ride, through the rural north west outskirts of the Borough, visiting villages & 9 new areas of community woodland.
Central Gardens, Middlesbrough (In front of MIMA) Date: Sunday 29th June Time: 11:00 am till 4:00 pm
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:INCLUDE:
Bike try out sessionssessions
Trade Stands
Cycle Maintenance
Road Safety Road
shows
Cycle trials bike display
Unicyclists
Guided bike rides And much, much more with some very special guests! Teescycle 2008
Darlington - Sunday 29th June 10:30 with 3pm return If you’d like to cycle to the Festival a guided ride will be setting off from outside the Dolphin Centre at 10.30am. The ride will leave Middlesbrough at 3.00pm to head back to Darlington.
Redcar (South Bank) - Sunday 29th June 9.30am with 3pm return Duration: 1hour (each way) Start point: ASDA car park South Bank am ride, Mima art gallery pm ride Distance: 4 miles Free water bottle and cycling DVD for all participants An opportunity to travel to and from the Teescycle event in Middlesbrough, by bike, from the Redcar & Cleveland area using National Cycle Routes 1 and 65. The ride follows adjacent to the River Tees and passes the Riverside Stadium and the Transporter Bridge before reaching Middlesbrough town centre. To assist in the planning , please register for either of these rides before Wednesday 25th June by calling 01287 612544
Hartlepool - Sunday 29th June Start: 9.30am – 4.30pm Summerhill Visitors Centre Car Park Join cyclists throughout the Tees Valley as they cycle to meet up at mima in Middlesbrough for a fun day of cycling displays and exhibitions. Our journey to Middlesbrough will take us on a 13.5 mile ride through Cowpen Bewley and over Newport Bridge, followed by a 10 mile return journey via the Transporter bridge. We will be spending approximately 4 hours at mima so please bring a packed lunch and a bike lock to secure your bike whilst you enjoy the attractions on offer. Cost: 50p fare for Transporter Bridge.
Stockton - Sunday 29th June Starting from Preston Park we will pick up riders at Stockton Town Centre and Tees Barrage with timings as follows: Preston Park 10:00am Town Centre 10:20am Tees Barrage 10:40am We will arrive at the event in Middlesbrough at 11:15am Join us as we ride to the Tees Cycle event on 29th June. Participants will have to make their own way back from the event. Steel River Cycle Ride Middlesbrough - Sunday 13th July Start: 10:00 Middlesbrough Cycle Centre Duration: 3 hours Distance: 10 miles Discover Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage on this ride with Middlesbrough Environment City, delivered as part of the Heritage Open Days. The ride will include a tour of Linthorpe Cemetery, the largest area of woodland in urban Middlesbrough, Whinney Banks Pond and the old Ironmasters District.
The Three Parks Ride Organisers: Tees Forest, Sustrans and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Sun 20th July 2008 Start: 10am Wynyard Woodland Park. Distance: 5miles; 17miles; 32miles. Three separate guided rides, a 5 mile family ride around Wynyard Woodand Park, a 17 mile moderate ride along the Castle Eden Walkway to Station Town and back; and the Three Parks ride which takes in Summerhill, Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and returns to Wynyard via Wolviston. This is a total of 32 miles in 6 hours with refreshment stops en route; it is mostly off road with some road riding on the return journey. For more information visit: www.teesforest.org.uk call08450345009 or email:[email protected] Pre- booking is required for this event and costs £2-50 for adults and £5 for families of 4.
www.doitbycycle.com Coast to Coast Redcar - Sunday 20th July Start: 10am Somerfield car park, Milton Street, Saltburn Duration: 2 hours Distance: 3.5 miles ☺ A family version of the coast to coast route from Saltburn to the Stray Café at Redcar travelling along National Cycle Route 1. The route is mainly off road and is suitable for families with children over the age of 8 years. An opportunity for refreshments and a snack at the Café exists before making the return trip back to Saltburn.
Hartlepool Villages’ Circular Cycle Ride Hartlepool - Sunday 20th July Start: 10am Summerhill Visitors Centre Car Park Duration: 3.5 Hours Distance: 14 miles Explore the quiet lanes and villages to the west of Hartlepool on this 14 mile cycle ride with the Countryside Access Team. Bring a bike, a packed lunch and suitable clothing. Booking essential. Please contact the Countryside Access Team on 01429 523419 for further information and departure details. Cost: FOC Women’s Ride to Archer’s Ice Cream Parlour Darlington - Sunday 27th July Start: 11:00am West Park Main Gates Duration: 2 hours , A moderate ride to Archer’s Jersey Ice Cream parlour in Walworth for women, led by women. The ride will pass through West Park before heading west along Newton Lane and through Heighington and Houghton Le Side before arriving at the ice cream parlour for refreshments.
August
Butts Lane Bike Circular Hartlepool Borough Council Sunday 17th August Start: 10am Hart Saxon Church Car Park Duration: 3 Hours Distance: 9 miles Why not join us for a fun cycling orienteering event run by CLOK members. This score type event will take you along tracks, bridleways and short sections of highway to the North of Hart village. You can choose between a one hour or two hour course to collect points as you cycle around. A prize will be awarded to the winners in each category. Bring a bike, a snack and suitable clothing. Booking essential. Please contact the Countryside Access Team on 01429 523419 for further information.
Cost: £2 adults, £1 children, £3 family or team entry.
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Great Salt Run Stockton - Sunday 24th August Start 10:00 Billingham Forum Duration: 2 hours Distance: 11 miles A ride to Greatham, exploring the ancient salt trade, via woodland and off-road tracks, returning via Wolviston village
South Park Cycle Treasure Trail Darlington - Sunday 24th August Start: 10.00am to 12.00 noon South Park Clock Tower A cycling treasure trail around South Park for children accompanied by adults. Come along any time between 10.00am and 12.00 noon and cycle at your own pace. There will be prizes for all children who complete the trail.
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Western Villages Stockton - Sunday 14th September Start 10:00am Preston Park Duration: 2 hours Distance: 12 miles Visit the Borough’s south-western villages – Hartburn, Elton, Long Newton, Urlay Nook via cycle routes and quieter roads
High Hesleden Figure of eight Hartlepool - Sunday 21st September Start: 10:00am Hart to Haswell Walkway entrance Duration: 4 Hours Distance: 13 miles Don’t miss out on this 13 mile cycle ride which loops around the tracks and minor roads around Hesleden, High Hesleden and the Hart to Haswell Walkway. Bring a bike, a packed lunch and suitable clothing. Booking essential. Please contact the Countryside Access Team on 01429 523419 for further information and departure details. Cost: FOC
The Heighington Boot off Road Ride Darlington - Sunday 28th September Start: 10.00am outside the Bay Horse, Heighington Duration: 4 hours The Heighington Boot is a ride passing through some of the villages north of Darlington which mixes on and off road riding, using bridleways, quiet roads and cycle tracks.
Becks, Bridges and Barrage Stockton - Sunday 5th October Start 10:00 Billingham Forum Duration: 2 hours Distance: 10 miles Our ride starts from the centre of Billingham and takes us to the Tees riverside, the Barrage, Stockton, and back.
Saltholme Loop Stockton - Saturday 11th October Start 10:30 Tees Barrage Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 9 miles Visit Saltholme RSPB site– Britain’s newest & largest wetland bird sanctuary on a ride that takes us along the south side of the Tees, crossing at the Transporter Bridge, and returning on the north. Please bring 50p for the Transporter bridge fare 2008
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MTWT F S S MTWT F S S MTWT F S S 123456 1234 1
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JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER MTWT F S S MTWT F S S MTWT F S S 123456 123 1234567 7 8 9 10111213 45678910 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER MTWT F S S MTWT F S S MTWT F S S 12345 12 1234567 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3456789 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 For more information on individual events contact the relevant Local Authority contact or event organiser as follows: For general details: Sustrans Tees Valley Office Tel: 01642 803441 [email protected] Web: www.sustrans.org.uk
Or visit: www.doitbycycle.com This website gives general information on cycling in the Tees Valley.
For Stockton Events: Jonathan Kibble Tel: 01642 526735 [email protected] Web: www.stockton.gov.uk For Hartlepool Events: Chris Scaife Tel: 01429 523524 [email protected] Web: www.hartlepool.gov.uk For Redcar and Cleveland Events: Janet Easley Tel: 01287 612544 [email protected] Web: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/cycling For Darlington Events: Greg McDougall Tel: 01325 388721 [email protected] Web: www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk For Middlesbrough Events: Middlesbrough Environment City Tel: 01642 811300 [email protected] Web: www.menvcity.org.uk For Three Parks Ride Event: Simon Blenkinsop The Tees Forest Tel: 01642 300716 Web: www.teesforest.org.uk www.doitbycycle.com
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