Route from Great Whittington to Corbridge

[GmanUK65]

I am busy planning a Sunday ride for a couple of Sundays but I would like it to be 60+ miles but my original route is only 54 miles so I thought that adding an extra part from Great Whittington to Corbridge then taking the B6321 back to the B6318 before heading back to Newcastle. I checked out a route from Great Whittington to Corbridge with Google Maps but it shows to go down a road that is not on an OS Explorer map off the B6318 passing near Halton before entering a road named Leazes Lane then onto Milkwell Lane then Cow Lane then into Corbridge. Has anyone heard of these roads; are they ok for road bikes. Another route I thought I could take would be to stay on the B6318 and go onto the A68 but I dont know how safe it is for a bicycle. What is this section of the A68 like for cycling?

 

[ASC1951]

I did once cycle from Leeds to Hexham using the A68 but I'm not sure I would do it now. That short section down into Corbridge would be no less safe than many town roads and is anyway easily avoided.
The old military road, the B6318, may have far less traffic but because it's high up and dead straight it has its share of very fast nutters, so you do need to pay attention.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I don't know the area but if it isn't on the OS map it probably isn't there - don't trust Google.

 

[ASC1951]

.... I checked out a route from Great Whittington to Corbridge with Google Maps but it shows to go down a road that is not on an OS Explorer map off the B6318 passing near Halton before entering a road named Leazes Lane then onto Milkwell Lane then Cow Lane then into Corbridge.....

For some reason Google Maps doesn't throw up the road names for me, but take the road due S from Great Whittington, go W along the B6318 for 400 yards, then take the tarmacked track over the cattle grid due S into Halton. In Halton, go SW and follow the road due S parallel to the A68 before going under the A69 and into the top end of Corbridge. All those will be fine on a road bike.
NB the first bit from the B6318 is a farm drive and is only a public footpath. I wouldn't think anyone would mind, but if challenged you can always push for a bit. If you want a public road, it's either the A68 or turning left when you reach the B6318 and cutting the corner past Shildon to the B6321. I would take the farm drive.

 

[GmanUK65]

I've checked OS map again and it is on the map (not much light last night and tired) but it is a bridleway down to Halton village then narrow roads down to Corbridge. Its the bridleway part that bothers me if it is fit for a road bike (Ive seen some bridleways while on my hybrid which I would not like to go down on my road bike).

 

[GmanUK65]

For some reason Google Maps doesn't throw up the road names for me, but take the road due S from Great Whittington, go W along the B6318 for 400 yards, then take the tarmacked track over the cattle grid due S into Halton. In Halton, go SW and follow the road due S parallel to the A68 before going under the A69 and into the top end of Corbridge. All those will be fine on a road bike.
NB the first bit from the B6318 is a farm drive and is only a public footpath. I wouldn't think anyone would mind, but if challenged you can always push for a bit. If you want a public road, it's either the A68 or turning left when you reach the B6318 and cutting the corner past Shildon to the B6321. I would take the farm drive.

Thank you, the farm drive is the route I am going to take.

 

[dellzeqq]

A68 - you have to be tough. But it's fun. I took The Fridays up it on the way to John O'Groats, and they showered me with kisses after. Well, sort of.

 

[ASC1951]

I've checked OS map again and it is on the map (not much light last night and tired) but it is a bridleway down to Halton village ....

Are you sure? I have digital OS coverage and the routes from the B6318 are all footpaths not bridleways.

Its the bridleway part that bothers me if it is fit for a road bike (Ive seen some bridleways while on my hybrid which I would not like to go down on my road bike).

Well, don't blame me if you get zillions of pinch flats, but Uncle Google shows a road van using it and the bit you can see on StreetView has fresh tarmac - not even a grass strip down the middle.

 

[theloafer]

I am busy planning a Sunday ride for a couple of Sundays but I would like it to be 60+ miles but my original route is only 54 miles so I thought that adding an extra part from Great Whittington to Corbridge then taking the B6321 back to the B6318 before heading back to Newcastle. I checked out a route from Great Whittington to Corbridge with Google Maps but it shows to go down a road that is not on an OS Explorer map off the B6318 passing near Halton before entering a road named Leazes Lane then onto Milkwell Lane then Cow Lane then into Corbridge. Has anyone heard of these roads; are they ok for road bikes. Another route I thought I could take would be to stay on the B6318 and go onto the A68 but I dont know how safe it is for a bicycle. What is this section of the A68 like for cycling?

this any use to you http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/37865476/

 

[albion]

I cannot recall doing it, even though I have been in that area quite often.

Check it out, consider walking what looks a farm track if need be.
If it looks too ugly just head back to wall Houses and take that route down to Corbridge.

If you're heading back from Corbridge via Riding Mill route, for a rugged scenic detour I'd suggest instead heading up through Prospect Hill and down before turn right at the bottom (low gears needed! )

 

[Cush]

Loads of quiet roads in that area. Take a look at the back entry to Beaufront Castle accessible from B6318 on the unclassified road by mile castle 24 then across to Aydon Castle and join the B6321. Narrow unclassified roads but tarmacked.

 

[GmanUK65]

Loads of quiet roads in that area. Take a look at the back entry to Beaufront Castle accessible from B6318 on the unclassified road by mile castle 24 then across to Aydon Castle and join the B6321. Narrow unclassified roads but tarmacked.

Its too far west for the route I am doing,but it may be worth a look at a later date. My plan for the coming year is to up my mileage every few weeks so those roads could be used when I include Hexham in my route at a later date.