Sandstone Way Northumberland

[addictfreak]

Just after a little information on a new MTB route from Berwick to Hexham. I read about it here:

http://www.cyclepad.org.uk/listing/The-Sandstone-Way

Tried to email the address at the bottom of the page with no luck.

Any CCer's know if the route was actually completed and if so, where can I get a map.

Thanks

 

[Archie_tect]

Not heard of it AF!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

launch is set for the end of June if enough funds are raised.
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk...-of-new-100-mile-scenic-cycle-route-1-2883197

Ted is now looking for sponsors to help raise the £38,000 needed for a high profile launch (due around the end of June) including a website and maps.

 

[addictfreak]

Thanks for the replies, I have found a few articles saying its due to open. But I'm after the route if possible, fancy giving a go this summer.

 

[albion]

It is now meant to be fully signposted and a publicity campaign starts from this month I believe.

http://www.northumberlandnationalpa...e-way-will-create-cycle-tourism-opportunities
http://www.northern-heritage.co.uk/..._-_northumberland_-_cycle_route_map_/p-107821
http://www.cyclepad.org.uk/listing/The-Sandstone-Way

Looking at that cyclepad Google map it seems to cover some of that Border Cycle Ride old sign-age I often see. I'd certainly need to adapt the route a slight bit to do it on my hybrid.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

The best way to get info at the mo is to contact Ted via the cyclepad page - He's designed/developed this particular route and a good few others in the north of England (with more in the pipeline). I've know Ted professionally for close on 10 years and he just doesn't do bad ideas.

From what I gather the route uses existing tracks, UCRSs and PROW's (tarmac is kept to a minmum) so the infrastructure is already there but it may not have all the dedicated waymarking in place just yet, but it is on the way

 

[albion]

Yes, I've traced most of it on my OS maps, it gos off road wherever possible. I've even walked good sections of it including that track above Hareshaw Linn.
That is one of the sections I plotted around.

I would think the marking is all there now. Now I wish Ted luck in extracting the route from an imposed death by Sustrans non mapping.
The fairly new National Byway (also maybe used for bits of the route) I think has still zero mapping online at Sustrans and thus Google maps too.
There is still a bright hope for it yet if Sustrans change their attitude, unlike the now historically interesting Border County Ride.

Anyone got any very old publications/maps on the Border County Ride ? It is near enough non existent on the net, apart from odds and sods left on OS.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Sustrans only map their routes so I doubt the dead duck that is the National ByWay will ever appear on anything other than their own publicity.

 

[mcshroom]

The Byway gets onto Sustrans maps where it covers the same area, but there's no joined up map of it I'm aware of.

I ordered a copy of the Sandstone way map last night so it'll be interesting to have a look.

 

[Lpoolck]

Looking to do this in a day next year. So any reviews of the route would be helpful once people start doing it.

 

[albion]

Sustrans only map their routes so I doubt the dead duck that is the National ByWay will ever appear on anything other than their own publicity.

Most of it is on the OpenStreetMap cycle map layer.

Seems like a brilliant route for anyone visiting the UK for a month or so. It seems far more appealing than Lejog.
The Border Country Ride is quite puzzling. It must have had good support once upon a time by Northumberland council.

Why abandon another tourist attraction that adds extra holiday ideas for visitors.

 

[Motozulu]

A lad on another forum I use is heavily into this and is part of the 'team'. here is what he posted in January....HTH and I can give you his contact email if required........

"North Tyne Cycle Group
This is a newly formed group put together to promote mountain biking in the North Tyne Valley ..of which I am a part .
We have various plans afoot to do this .. With the aim of promoting the area as a venue for mountain biking and to bring in the tourist dollar !
We already have a vast network of man - made trails at Kielder ..and also the 27 mile multi - user route around Kielder Water ..the Lakeside Way ..
However we are also keen to promote the excellent network of natural trails we have in the area .
The new Sandstone Way route running from Berwick to Hexham ...will pass through Bellingham when it officially opens in the spring ..and to build on this we are keen to add circular loops at various stages of the route to maximise its potential for a better biking experience and also to boost the local economy.
Bellingham being one of the planned stayover points is also my home village and over the years I have shown a number of folks a route which I have called A Tour Of The North Tyne ..
It has now been suggested that this be used as an official route with its own map and route guide ..which as my " baby" ..pleases me no end .
There is however quite a bit of work involved to get it off the ground ...
As a start to this project a few of us are riding the route THIS FRIDAY 9th JANUARY starting in Bellingham at 9.30 am . The aim is to find out the exact distance of the route ( est 25 miles)..and also exactly what work needs to be done by taking photographs.. A large section of bridleway in the forest is overgrown with seedling trees which needs to be brought to the attention of Northumberland County Council to make it completely passable ( it can be ridden ..but unless it is cleared it will be impassable within a couple of years )
If any of you northern based riders would like to join us please post below ..we would be glad to see you ..it is however quite a tough route ...well you wouldn't want it any other way would you ?

 

[Little Rach]

I am interested in the North Tyne Cycle Group and particularly the new Sandstone Way. I would like to do the route this summer over 3 days. I know that a cycling holiday group have already set up a trip but it is quite expensive.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

New website here - http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/

Buy the map and support the route

 

[albion]

According to the Chronicle the opening ceremony seems to have finally taken place. It officially opened on March 20th.