We need your routes
by Neil Gander
Freelance journalist, a member of the
NUJ
I don’t think I’m the only one who feels excited
at the prospect of Hamsterley Forest becoming the Glentress
of northern England. Anybody who knows centres in the Scottish
Borders will be looking forward, not only to the fantastic new
riding opportunities, but to the buzz that a quarter of a million
mountain bikers coming to the area will create.
Now the ball is rolling, it’s time to think how we can
maximise the potential of the new trails at Hamsterley in terms
of bringing visitors into the area, and persuading them to stay
a while to explore all the other great riding the area has to
offer. To that end, I’ve started work on a book of mountain
bike routes that riders might like to tackle whilst they’re
in the region. I hope fellow trailblazers will be able to help
with suggestions of favourite routes; also, I’ll be out
and about a fair bit over the coming months and riding companions
will always be welcome! Ring me on 07985 321203 or email gandern@tiscali.co.uk
with your suggestions or to see what I’m up to.
I’m setting a limit of approximately 25 miles radius
of Hamsterley for starting points for the routes, which means
anywhere within an arc marked by Reeth, Richmond and Leyburn
to the south; Darlington, Middlesbrough and Houghton to the
east; Newcastle, Corbridge and Hexham to the north and Alston
to the west (I don’t propose to cross the Pennine watershed
into darkest Cumbria, except by bike). Some will be very close
to the forest – Egglestone Common, for example; others
a little further afield – Hexhamshire Common or Upper
Weardale. But all will be within easy reach of Hamsterley itself.
Ideally I’d like to include around 25 routes and would
like to illustrate them with top quality photos. So I’m
also looking for a photographer who’d like to take on
the commission.
If by some remote chance the book should actually make money,
then a share of that will go into Trailblazers’ funds.
