Good roads around Newcastle?

[Rob_F]

Right, been up here for a week now and i've not really been out for a good drive. Just wandering where the closest place is for me to go for a nice drive in the country? Wouldn't mind heading towards Northumberland - any good roads around there? I'm in Longbenton if that helps so North of the city is probably easier to get too.

Plus i'm up for meeting some other locals if anyone fancies a pub lunch one weekend or something?

Cheers,
Rob.

PS - Long shot but is the David Lloyds leisure in Gosforth any good - worth paying the extra over the Fitness First close by? Cheers....

[carlymart]

Rob_F said:

Right, been up here for a week now and i've not really been out for a good drive. Just wandering where the closest place is for me to go for a nice drive in the country? Wouldn't mind heading towards Northumberland - any good roads around there? I'm in Longbenton if that helps so North of the city is probably easier to get too.

Plus i'm up for meeting some other locals if anyone fancies a pub lunch one weekend or something?

Cheers,
Rob.

PS - Long shot but is the David Lloyds leisure in Gosforth any good - worth paying the extra over the Fitness First close by? Cheers....

welcome to the north
their are some great roads in northumberland their are quite a few drives out set up via PH
i am just up the road in forest hall and one of the nearest good roads is along from Earsdon to the cost on the bee hive road (past the bee hive pup) not long but some good twists

although i cannot name many at the moment
i looked at greens, fitness first and david lloys and to be honest green was the best for me cheeper then david lloyds and with a pool etc that fitness first did not have (must rejoin)

[Rob_F]

Tah for the reply mate, i'll check that route out one night this week. I'll look into Greens, never even heard of it before tbh! If you see a turquoise MR2 blatently not having a clue where he's going then give us a wave!

Rob.

[Wedg1e]

ANY road that goes ROUND Newcastle is a good one in my book

[whygee02]

carlymart said:

Rob_F said:

Right, been up here for a week now and i've not really been out for a good drive. Just wandering where the closest place is for me to go for a nice drive in the country? Wouldn't mind heading towards Northumberland - any good roads around there? I'm in Longbenton if that helps so North of the city is probably easier to get too.

Plus i'm up for meeting some other locals if anyone fancies a pub lunch one weekend or something?

Cheers,
Rob.

PS - Long shot but is the David Lloyds leisure in Gosforth any good - worth paying the extra over the Fitness First close by? Cheers....

welcome to the north
their are some great roads in northumberland their are quite a few drives out set up via PH
i am just up the road in forest hall and one of the nearest good roads is along from Earsdon to the cost on the bee hive road (past the bee hive pup) not long but some good twists

although i cannot name many at the moment
i looked at greens, fitness first and david lloys and to be honest green was the best for me cheeper then david lloyds and with a pool etc that fitness first did not have (must rejoin)

Hi Rob_F.

There's plenty of good roads around Newcastle. If you head towards the airport and to the West of the city theres a load of countryside/villages etc with good B roads to play on. Especially look for the military road and around that area (running roughly parallel to, but north of, the A69). You should be looking around Ponteland/Stamfordham/Throckley/Corbridge type areas.

There's the odd PH run on an evening - I'm fairly new to it also - but I went to the last one which was good fun. Keep an eye out for any posts on this forum by Zebra/Bomb who seem to (unofficially, but very kindly) be our area 'ringleaders'.

Speaking to Zebra last week we were thinking of a run out one night in the next week or two, if we can manage it.

Cheers.

[Crowley]

whygee02 said:

Keep an eye out for any posts on this forum by Zebra/Bomb who seem to (unofficially, but very kindly) be our area 'ringleaders'.

Who put Dumb & Dumber in charge.......

[whygee02]

Dunno what you mean Crowley

[Ian 1]

Rob I am just a couple mile down the road from you and I often just go out for a run out on an evening for an hour or so and have a run down the beehive road while out (its very short but fun)
Should meet up for a run out some time.

[southpaw]

I can show you a little circuit using the beehive road some time if you want Rob. Depends what you want, tight country roads more more sweeping bends etc. Heading out towards Belsay/Wallington/Otterburn etc is a reasonable route

[Biker's Nemesis]

Heading out of Morpeth, turn left for Mitford, and head towards the dyke Neuk, turn right at Scott's Gap and head for Rothbury over the moors. The World's your oyster from there.

[Stu R]

can we have another run out please ? I've got an engine to erm, cane, next week

[Rob_F]

Brilliant guys, cheers for the replies! Got some good stuff to work on and i'd definately be up for a beer. Although my car is being a bit of a handfull in the wet at the mo because my rear tyres are shite!

Ian - sounds good to me pal, we'll have to meet up sometime! Maybe we could just organise a bit of a local meet in a few weeks? Only i'm bastard mad busy at my new job and i'm absoloutely knackered at the moment!

Southpaw - same thing, totally hectic but i will definately try and get myself some free time soon to meet up before you go to uni!

Cheers fellas
Rob.

[Gad-Westy]

One road that you absolutely have to try is the A686, goes from the A69 over the pennines to Penrith, via Alston. Its my favourite road of any around here and offers just about everything you could ask of a great driver's road, views, long straights, hairpins, tight wooded sections, fast open corners, hill ascents/descents and a cafe at the top. Definetly a must do. The other's have mentioned most of my favourites but there's also a brilliant road across the Durham Moors from Edmunbyers to Eggleston, via Stanhope (which also has a brilliant road leading to Alston again). Once I've shifted my current car and replaced it with something with a manual box I'll be well up for a run out if you fancy a guide.

One last thing, Southpaw mentioned the Beehive road, its almost on your doorstep so great for when you just want to blow the cobwebs away. Its not very long but you can always turn around and do it again.

ETA I found this pic of the A686 (AKA Hartside pass).

Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 18th September 22:57

[Rob_F]

Awesome picture, i will have to try that. Noticed it said "Engineer" in your profile? You don't happen to work somewhere with a tank in the carpark?

Rob.

[Gad-Westy]

Rob_F said:

Awesome picture, i will have to try that. Noticed it said "Engineer" in your profile? You don't happen to work somewhere with a tank in the carpark?

Rob.

Not my pic, just dug it up on google but gives you an idea of what the road is like in places. I don't work at the place with the tank in the carpark unless you are refferring to a Mitsibuishi Warrior. Work over the river by Gateshead stadium but I do know a couple of guys that do work at Vickers.

[Rob_F]

I might go hit the beehive road later, we'll have to go for a beer in Osbournes or something, sometime I was over by the gateshead stadium just yesterday actually, must be a mare getting over the tyne in rush hour, its nice being able to get off the A1 just before vickers.

Rob.

[MickC]

Gad-Westy said:

ETA I found this pic of the A686 (AKA Hartside pass).

Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 18th September 22:57

Just goes to show you can forget how lucky you are. I used to live in cheshire and the peak district has loads of lovely roads (macc->buxton cat and fiddle is one of the best) but heartside and the roman wall roads really are much better :-) better even that snakes pass i think

[Biker's Nemesis]

Gad-Westy said:

One road that you absolutely have to try is the A686, goes from the A69 over the pennines to Penrith, via Alston. Its my favourite road of any around here and offers just about everything you could ask of a great driver's road, views, long straights, hairpins, tight wooded sections, fast open corners, hill ascents/descents and a cafe at the top. Definetly a must do. The other's have mentioned most of my favourites but there's also a brilliant road across the Durham Moors from Edmunbyers to Eggleston, via Stanhope (which also has a brilliant road leading to Alston again). Once I've shifted my current car and replaced it with something with a manual box I'll be well up for a run out if you fancy a guide.

One last thing, Southpaw mentioned the Beehive road, its almost on your doorstep so great for when you just want to blow the cobwebs away. Its not very long but you can always turn around and do it again.

ETA I found this pic of the A686 (AKA Hartside pass).

Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 18th September 22:57

That photo looks like it was taken at at Hartside Cafe, facing towards Melmerby, downhill hairpins all the way, you really need good brakes, much better on the way up.

[southpaw]

Rob_F said:

I was over by the gateshead stadium just yesterday actually, must be a mare getting over the tyne in rush hour, its nice being able to get off the A1 just before vickers.

Rob.

Coming back from Croft tonight at about 5.30, A1 towards the metro center was at a stand still for what seemed like days, how do people do that every night???

[Gad-Westy]

Rob_F said:

I might go hit the beehive road later, we'll have to go for a beer in Osbournes or something, sometime I was over by the gateshead stadium just yesterday actually, must be a mare getting over the tyne in rush hour, its nice being able to get off the A1 just before vickers.

Rob.

Ahh, you've already sampled the pervetastic delights of Osbornes. I no longer live in Jesmond but still there most Friday nights. Not this one though. You tried the beehive yet?