The weather forecast promised a strong wind from the North but none of the heavy showers which had been a feature of the previous day. I met my cycling companions Chris and Ian outside the Delaval Arms and we headed South towards Tynemouth with the wind pushing us along. From there we went West along Route 72 towards Newcastle Quayside. As expected, and as hoped for, the route was sheltered so the effect of the strong wind was minimal. A steady ride along the river, with a slight diversion from the route down into St Peter’s Basin before stopping at the Cycle Hub for a coffee and a bacon sandwich.

Suitably fed and watered we returned to the Royal Quays via Route 72 where we turned onto the Reivers Route to take us up to Shiremoor and Backworth. It was this section which was head on into the wind. At Backworth we chose to take the path through to Seghill where Ian left us to go home. Chris and I cycled along the road through Seghill to Seaton Delaval then down the Avenue to the Hartley crossing. The last mile took us along the old railway line until we reached the footpath where Chris turned left to Seaton Sluice and I turned right to Holywell.