The brand new Cycle Hub, Ouseburn

Perhaps against my better judgement, I set off on a bike ride from Ouseburn to the Angel of the North.

Any Geordie in the know will tell you that Ouseburn is on the up. Once a hive of activity during the Industrial Revolution, it has taken some imaginative regeneration projects to turn the area into the vibrant cultural place it is today. These days, Ouseburn attracts art lovers, musicians, real ale drinkers and now cycle enthusiasts thanks to it’s latest addition, The Cycle Hub. With some of the best views I’ve seen down the Quayside, The Cycle Hub is a great place for cyclists to meet and chat over coffee, bikes are available to hire too.

Setting off on my bike ride from Newcastle Quayside

I hadn’t been on a bike for years but the guys at Saddle Skedaddle who run the Cycle Hub were pretty persuasive and their infectious enthusiasm for cycling got the better of me. It was bitterly cold on the morning of my bike ride so I wrapped up warm in long johns, vest, thick socks, fleecy top etc (attractive, I know).

However, half way through the journey my face started to turn a strange shade of purple and when I had to pedal back up a ridiculously steep hill after taking a wrong turn I genuinely thought I was going to topple off the bike and be found bedraggled by the side of the road!

Arriving safely at The Angel of the North, Gateshead

Thankfully that didn’t happen, I soldiered on and was chuffed to bits when I finally made it to the Angel of the North in Gateshead. I was even more delighted when I returned to The Cycle Hub to be greeted by a huge slab of chocolate cake and hot mug of coffee. If that’s the reward after every bike ride I could quickly get over my issues with purple face and helmet hair!

Well deserved chocolate cake at The Cycle Hub

I hear there are some fantastic cycle routes in the North East. Where would you send me on my next adventure?