Daycycle - Romans and a river

This ride starts at the Tyne cycling tunnels. There is plenty of car parking, and it's not too far from Jarrow metro station and the town centre too.

Ride through the tunnel

Once back above ground head to the main road then turn left and follow NCN72 west along the path beside the A187.

When it rejoins the road, cross at the crossing and then turn right into Cumberland terrace.

At the end through the bollards turn left into Norman Terrace.

At the next junction turn right then left to dogleg into Armstrong road. At the end turn right onto the path, through the barriers.

at the end of the path, rejoin the road and turn right heading downhill into Willington Dene.

The route heads left over the river, but it's always worth spending a few minutes admiring the splendor that is Willington railway viaduct. Now carrying the Tyne and wear metro. It was originally built in wood on top of the stone pillars in 1839, but was rebuilt in iron in 1867 matching the original design.

once across the bridge over the stream, there's a short but noticable climb out at which point the route joins the path along the road again for a short while.

Once past Hadrian road metro station, cross over the road at the toucan crossing and carry on until you reach the arch 

Follow the cycleway as it continues to follow the route of an old railway heading west.

after a while there is a left turn as NCN72 leaves the line and joins St Lawrences road to head down to the riverside.

The cyclehub is always a very good place for a pitstop and to take in the river views towards the city whilst enjoying some of their excellent drinks and food.

Continue west along the quayside towards the city centre. It can be bust with pedestrians along this stretch.

The Gateshead millennium bridge is one of only three tilting bridges in the world. Between May and September the bridge tilts every day at noon. If you've not seen it when it's worth timing your ride to watch it.

Cross over using the millennium bridge then turn left and follow the riverside path beside the Baltic art centre, which used to be one of a number of flour stores and mills along the tyne. After it was closed in the mid 80s it was converted into the world class arts centre it is today

Once past the hotel, join south shore road. At the end of the road join the path to bypass the bollards and carry on along a quiet riverside path.

On your left is the kittiwake tower, which is an artificial breeding site for kittiwakes , which was built for them when the refurbishment of the Baltic flour mill displaced them. 

The path will bring you to Friars Goose. It's so named as monks in the 11th century used to gather gorse, known as goose, hereabouts. It's also the site of an old ferry crossing across the Tyne.

Follow NCN14 through the car park and join Green lane heading uphill. As the road bends to the right head left then take the cyclepath.

Follow this path for quite a while until it joins Nest Road.

Turn left onto Nest road and follow the road until the junction with Abbotsford road where you turn left. At the end of the road continue on the path to Low Hedworth road.

At this point you can either turn left and follow the signed NCN14 route down to the river and along Tyne street.

Alternatively turn right, and then left into Gosforth terrace. Follow the road until the sharp right, and take the path to the left which leads to Bill Quay farm. The locals are friendly.

Once through the farm follow the road until you pass the Wardley arms and take the path adjoining the bus circle. Take a minute or two to soak in the view along the Tyne here

a little further along the path, the two alternatives merge again with some more impressive views of the river Tyne before dropping back down to the riverside at Hebburn marina

follow the road along the marina until you see the large blue sign when the road bends to climb away from the river.

Take the path which will keep you alongside the river for a little while longer before joining Ellison street.

Once at the top, take a left turn onto Lyon street then follow this back to the start at the Tyne cycling tunnels in Jarrow. The route at this point borders several old shipyards from when the Tyne was famous for ship building.

There are still some relics, such as these rails across the road which would have linked the shipyard with more works across the road.