Author Archive: Iain Inglis

Summer Camp 2025

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Please book your place for our annual summer camp below: –

Sunday 29th June – Lakes and Passes

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Lakes and Passes ride, about 200 miles. 

Meet at Heddon on the Wall garage NE15 OBG from 9:00am fuelled and ready for a 9.30am departure to the Nook Farm Cafe for a short stop, via the Military road and Haltwhistle. 

Then onto Pooley Bridge, up Kirkstone pass and down the struggle to the fuel stop in Ambleside. We then head towards Keswick and onto the Wheatseaf Inn at Low Lorton CA13 9UW for lunch. We will then ride Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister passes (NOT HARDKNOTT) before heading back via Portinscale, Hartside and Alston to ride end at Langley Castle. 

EGM Election of branch chairman 31st May 2025

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Vic Stevenson opened the meeting by informing that there was no agenda as such as the meeting had one purpose and that was to elect a new Chair for the Branch.
Mark Lamb has stepped down after around 10 years. He was founder member and we are very grateful to him for all the time and effort he has put into the Club.
Nominations started but were interrupted by a discussion that took place around what the nominated person could bring to the role. It was agreed that all the work or tasks should not be the sole responsibility of the Chair, Iain Inglis and Keith Pattison put their names forward and were both proposed and seconded. After some discussion Keith, on the grounds of poor health, stepped back thus leaving Iain and the sole candidate. It is generally agreed that Keith would make an excellent chairman nevertheless. All present were asked to support Iain as Chair and there were no objections. There then followed a discussion regarding Vice Chair, Neil Elders will take over from Vic Stevenson in this role.
It was everyones aim to bring the Branch back together as it was felt it has become a bit split up.
Although not on an Agenda other subjects were discussed:
Mark is still willing to be in charge of arrangements for the Summer Camp that was previously confirmed to be Clennell Hall. 
Forums for communication, although Website and weekly email are the two main forms of communication going forward, that the WhatsApp group is still available to members for chatting and not to be solely relied upon to inform member of forthcoming events and announcements.
The bank account was discussed as there is still no cost neutral solution. members are asked to renew their membership directly with the club and this saves the Branch a transaction charge.
Vic is thanked for stepping in during this transition period.

Clive Bell 3rd Jume 2025

Sunday 8th June Ride Out

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This month we will be doing an Jedburgh, Kelso, Wooler loop.

Meet at Dobbies Garden Centre Ponteland 10:00 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. sharp departure

Coffee Stop at Jedburgh for Coffee/Brunch then onto Kelso to Wooler – Possibly stopping for Coffee at The Distillery, refuse at Lowborn, then onto Morwick Dairy Farm for Ice Cream and then last stop / end of ride at QE2 Country Park North of Ashington.

123 Miles

Tomtom / GPX routes can be found here: –https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/d83d53c4-b126-4a08-ac20-3d36edd80993

Second Sunday Ride 11th May 2025

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Meet at Derwenthaugh park, Damhead car park NE21 6JA from 10am fueled and ready for a 10:30 departure to the Nook Farm Cafe for our first stop. Route will be via Ebchester, Edmundbyers, Rookhope, Allenheads and Alston. 

Then on through Haltwhistle, Once Brewed, Chollerford and Colwell to our second stop and ride end at Kirkharle Cafe. 

About 90 miles – Fuel stop at Alston if required

 

Last Sunday of The Month Ride – 27th April 2025

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Union Bridge / Kielder Triangle

This months is proposed as: –

9:30am arrival at Dobbies Garden Centre, Ponteland – Prompt departure 10:00am – So please be fuelled up and ready to go: –

  • Head North via A1 then Wooler on A697
  • Stop at Union Bridge (Chain Bridge Bee Farm) for tea / coffee
  • Head West towards Hawick, then Bonchester Bridge.
  • From there going to Newcastletown for Break / refreshments
  • Backtrack to hit Kielder from North
  • Finally head towards end of ride break at Chollerford

This rides just shy of 200 miles – hence prompt departure.

For those wish to cover less distance, there is a convenient adaptation – from Bonchester Bridge head for Burness / Otterburn and back to Newcastle – we can discuss that on the day.

TomTom GPX Here:- https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/a8e3d9ff-4637-4369-8252-33786a99bb21

Election of new branch chairman

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Dear All

As Mark Lamb has now stepped down as chairman.

This is to announce that we will be having an extraordinary general meeting to elect his replacement on Saturday 31st May between 11am and 1pm at Benwell Cricket Club, NE15 7EU.

The position is open to all members, if you wish to be included in the vote for this role, wish to nominate a member or wish to obtain more information about the role, in the first instance please email victorstevenson@btinternet.com

Ride on Sunday 13th April 2025

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About 80 miles: –

Meet at the Shell service station Heddon on the wall NE15 OBG from 10:00am fueled and ready for a 10:30 departure to the Otterburn Mill Cafe via Stamfordham, Wark, Hesleyside and Greenhaugh.

Then on through Rothbury to Forestburn Gate, Netherwitton, Wallington and ride end at Kirkharle Cafe.

Fuel available on route if required. 

Sunday 30th March – Lets get going!!!

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We normally start the last Sunday of the month rides in April, however seeing there are lots of new bikes and the Retired and Work shy club are showing us the way. As weather looks reasonable this Sunday (thus far!) lets get out there!

Route

Meet Dobbies at Ponteland at 10:00 for 10:15 sharp departure (Please fuel up before arriving) via: –

  • Whalton
  • Scots Gap
  • Rothbury
  • Hawick
  • Newcastleton
  • Hollybush Inn
  • Chollerford

Distance 144 miles.

Tomtom GPX https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/0673b602-64f2-4922-ad79-63c8e7d25ae1

A great opportunity to dust of the cobwebs and for new members to learn group riding protocol and the drop of system – Please take a few minutes to look at the video: –

TOMCC NE – Drop Off System (5mins 43 seconds)