Jump on your bike and see County Durham
Posted on 28th July 2017
Jump on your bike and see County Durham
With our ‘Tour De Branch’ charity fundraising event fast approaching, we haven’t been able to resist jumping on our bikes at every opportunity!
The cycling bug has definitely set in, which is great, because it means we’re seeing more of County Durham than ever before.
As you know we love to share as much with you as we can, we’ve done some research and come up with some of the best cycling routes to take, so you can explore our beautiful region for yourself!
Brinkburn LNR and West Park, Darlington
For a short but sweet ride, follow this section of Darlington to Barnard Castle track bed, which also passes through Cocker Beck Local Nature Reserve. Perfect for a calming break away from the hustle and bustle of working life, the 35 minute route is great for grabbing some fresh air while getting some exercise.
The Saltley Loop
The Saltley Loop is a 19-mile cycle route, suitable for any bike type and graded moderate, perfect for getting the family out for a weekend bike ride. Starting at Knitsley Mill, the route follows country lanes and minor roads, with two crossings of the A68. It also passes close to Hall Hill Farm, Stowe House Farm and the site of Longovicium Roman Fort, so there are plenty of opportunities for breaks before circling back to Knitsley.
Hamsterley Forest
This is a route of 14 miles, perfect for mountain bikers who don’t mind a challenge. Starting at the forest visitor centre, the route crosses the river and follows a mixture of off-road trails and forest roads. With a mixture of uphill rides, the trail graded ‘difficult’ is perfect for those adrenaline junkies after some exercise and amazing views!
The South Durham Orbital
Looking for a challenge at the weekend? The 54 mile South Durham Orbital, will definitely get the blood pumping. The Route takes in Bishop Auckland, Durham City, Haswell, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, while using railways paths and National Cycle Networks. Follow the route and take a break at one of the many eateries it passes on its way. Enjoy a full day out of fresh air and good food!
We hope we’ve inspired you to jump on a bike but if you simply enjoy cycling as a spectator sport, why not come along and cheer us on, on Sunday 20th August, as we take part in our very own version of the world-famous bike race to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.
As always, promotion on social media is crucial to gathering more support, so please follow the progress on facebook.com/ventureproperties or twitter.com/ventureprop and share/re-tweet the stories as we build up to the event.
Anyone wishing to donate to this very special charity can do so by visiting our Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/venturetourdebranch