NCR 1 - What a great route! Day 4

Mission accomplished by 10a.m - Thank you so much Mark and the guys at Breeze Bikes, Amble. Phoned from Steph's, Amble Guesthouse, Mark arrived with his van a ferried us all to the shop.

Within a nano second, inner tube replaced, tyres to all 3 bikes fully pumped and brakes checked and a nudge to Philip's front wheel so that he doesn't have to climb hills with the brake rubbing (no stopping him now).

Mark, Nic, Jake & Philip outside the fantastic
Breeze Bikes, Amble

 (Just a little note; there's a theme running through bike shops helping us out on sponsored rides. Last time it was Braking Wind and now it's Breeze .. think on).

Today was a day of sun, sea, sand and breeze.  Breeze, Amble and breeze from the North Sea, chilly!  However, guess what we've got - arm warmers, hooray!

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside - it's flat!

We decided that safety meant National Cycle Network - Route 1, avoiding those busy roads.  What a great route, well signposted, really good surface and easy to follow - recommended.

Typical fab Sustrans NCN signpost

Route choices before Whitley Bay

The ride turned out to be 51 miles, which was a surprise but we went at a leisurely pace because it was such a fun ride to do. 

Dry again today and yet, despite the suncream and cloudy conditions for much of the day, Philip could offer to stand on St. Mary's Island, in place of the lighthouse and ward off ships with his glowing red nose.

Got to Newcastle, have seen the Tyne and many bridges, one of which had a special significance, have also seen some interesting buildings we may try to investigate.

Achievement - 230 miles/368 km and our second host city.

Gateshead Millenium Bridge with Tyne Bridge and the Olympic Rings

Nic grateful for some dim, distant training in interpretation or they would never have got a room or eaten!  Jake and Philip totally baffled by the accent and the speed of delivery.

Host venue tomorrow and apparently a date with local radio?