Lmst

Finally confirmed my entry for this year's Dirty Reiver, and signed up for the 200km version. Fingers crossed for no medical issues that interfere with training, and hopefully no mechanicals on the day. Decent weather on the day would be nice too.🤞

#DirtyReiver #Northumberland #cycling #GravelCycling #KielderForest

Finally got out on the proper gravel bike for the first time since April(!)

Not too bad, all things considered. My legs were tired and my lungs aren't working properly, but could've been worse. The rain held off, not too muddy on the trails, just a couple of sketchy sections that were like a thick layer of wet sand. No call for any heroics anyway, especially as I was by myself. (I had phone and satellite tracking, I'm not a complete idiot.)

#Northumberland #KielderForest #GravelBike #Cycling

Strava activity map showing an off-road route around part of Kielder Forest

Elevation gain: 818m
Time: 3h 2m
Distance: 55.53km

Wide and damp gravel track leading straight and out of sight before the horizon as it heads downhill. There is open grassland on either side, but agreed and in the distance are pine trees. One side of dropped handlebars are in the near foreground.

Black gravel bike propped against a pile of stuff that's covered in a blue tarp. Just behind is some open scrubland, in the distance is part of Kielder Reservoir.

Conquer the New Fronthill: Kielder’s Red, Black & Double Black Trails Await!

...#MileDownTrail #KielderForest #DownhillMountainBiking #VeloSolutions #NorthernDownhill #MountainBikeTrails #UKCycling #ForestryEngland #ManonCarpenter #AdamBrayton #DeadwaterTrail #LonesomePine #ReiversTrail #LakesideWay #KielderCycleCentre Source link The new "Mile Down" trail at Kielder, a collaborative effort between Forestry England, Velo Solutions, and Northern Downhill (NDH), has…

https://cyclereview.co.uk/conquer-the-new-fronthill-kielders-red-black-double-black-trails-await/

Making the most of our weekend in Kielder by getting out on the big bike today. First time round the Lonesome Pine trail. Feeling a bit out of practice, and didn't have anybody with me, so taking it very steady on the way down, but great fun. Definitely worth having another go when I'm feeling more confident.

https://www.forestryengland.uk/kielder-forest/lonesome-pine-trail-kielder

#KielderForest #MTB #Northumberland #Cycling #sonder #alpkit

Strava map showing a route that forms a loop to the west of Kielder Reservoir

Information board at the top of the Lonesome Pine trail in Kielder Forest

Starting point of the downhill section of the Lonesome Pine trail. A single-track gravel trail curves away from a wooden frame, with a view over Kielder Reservoir in the distance. A titanium frame mountain bike is propped against the frame.

Out to check the route for next Saturday, starting from the wrong end of the reservoir (because it's closer to home).

A few gnarly sections where the tracks have been recently reinstated, and some fallen trees that will be removed before next weekend, but mostly in pretty good condition.

Glad I've opted for the short route this year, wouldn't have been able to get the training distance in this year, for "reasons".

#DirtyReiver #KielderForest #Northumberland #Gravel #GravelBike #cycling

Strava map showing a route around Kielder Reservoir, with large loops out into the surrounding forest

A grassy track through a forest. There's a large conifer lying across the track.

A basic gate across a gravel track. A black gravel bike is propped against the gate.

View from high ground across part of Kielder Forest, with the reservoir visible through a gap in the trees.

The Sunday before Christmas: Another Ai generated image, this time a #ClassicMini rallying through somewhere like the #KielderForest. Good moaning - http://miniphernalia.co.uk

More than 8,000 hectares of land will be left to #nature to help boost #wildlife #biodiversity.

The new #forest management project by #Forestry #England will be carried out in 4 areas, including #CastleNeroche in #Somerset & #KielderForest in #Northumberland.

The #project will include a number of activities, such as the possible #reintroduction of lost wildlife like butterflies, rare #plants & beavers & the moving of #funghi to restore #soil.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nnd80pkjxo.amp

#Environmental #Ecology

Another (mostly) glorious day out in Northumberland. A little bit of drizzle towards the end, barely enough to get wet.

I think I might have lost a kidney on one of the sections where the timber wagons had corrugated the surface, though. If anybody finds it, please send it back.

#gravel #GravelBike #cycling #KielderForest #Northumberland

Strava map showing a route in Northumberland, England, from the southern edge of Wark Forest, around the top of Kielder Reservoir, and back to the start.

Ride: 82.6km
Elevation gain: 1372m
Time: 4h 45m

Black gravel bike leaning against the cut ends of a log stack

Wide angle view across Kielder Reservoir. The bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds are reflected in the almost still water.

View towards Hopealone Tower across harvested woodland. The tower has been stripped of most of its communication equipment and is now almost bare.

Nice to get out for a proper ride today, after aborting yesterday's attempt due to an early mechanical.

Much better weather for it today, and the scenery was just spectacular.

#Cycling #GravelBike #gravel #GravelCycling #Northumberland #KielderForest

Strava activity map showing an off-road cycling route around Kielder Forest

Ride: 82.5km
Elevation gain: 1508m
Time: 4h 51m

A view through The Nick, a sculptural shelter on the Kielder Forest Drive at Blakehope Nick . It's a wooden structure made of pentagons which appear to twist as they get further away. At the far end of the structure, a gravel bike is leaning against the bench.

http://kielderartandarchitecture.visitkielder.com/art-architecture/the-nick.html

A wide view over a valley in Kielder Forest, with areas of scrubland and trees. In the bottom of the valley is a stone sheepfold. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds.

Looking towards part of Kielder Reservoir, over scrubland and trees. A gravel track leads away to the right. High white clouds in a bright blue sky.

I'd almost forgotten what Type I Fun is like, but it turns out that if the weather's decent and the trails are good, gravel cycling can be enjoyed while you're doing it, even if the puddles had ice on when I started.

#GravelCycling #gravel #cycling #KielderForest #Northumberland

A view over a partially harvested forest. In the distance through the pine trees is part of Kielder Water. The sky is blue with high white clouds.

A grassy mound with some jumbled stones on top. Apparently, this is the remains of Dally Castle.

A gravel track winds away downhill into the distance, through scrubland and the occasional tree. In the far distance is more of Kielder Forest. The sky is full of fluffy white clouds.

Black gravel bike leaning against a red and white metal gate, across a gravel track that leads away through sparse skinny trees.

Bit of a grim ride yesterday. Despite cross -referencing three different maps when planning, I found:
• tracks that weren't rideable
• tracks that no longer existed
• tracks that were locked
• tracks that I just didn't like the look of
… and the horrible weather didn't help.

On the plus side: found the tank!

#cycling #gravel #GravelBike #KielderForest #northumberland

Strava activity map showing a convoluted clockwise-ish loop from Stonehaugh, Northumberland, through part of Kielder Forest

Ride: 51.6km
Elevation gain: 833m
Time: 3h 11m

A wrecked military tank with lightweight guns pointing skywards, in front of some kind of communications mast. The top of the mast seems about to disappear in the low grey cloud.

Black gravel bike leaning against a substantial metal gate. There is a very official-looking sign on the gate:

FLIGHT SAFETY
NAVIGATIONAL AID
NO ENTRY TO THIS AREA
WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION
FROM NAV-COMMS ON
016977 49467 OR
TRS ON 016977 49318

Black gravel bike leaning against a set of wood and wire gates, with a gravel track leading away beyond the gates across moorland.

Empty boats.

#BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Photography #BNW #MastoArt #BlackAndWhitePhotography #MonochromePhotography #Boast #KielderForest #Northumberland

A square black and white images of some boats on a lake surrounded by a forest. The sky is cloudy.

A square black and white images of some boats moored at a pier on a lake surrounded by a forest. The sky is cloudy.

A square black and white images of somm distant boats on a lake surrounded by a forest. The sky is cloudy.

Water's edge.

#BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #BNW #Photography #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #BlackAndWhitePhotography #MonochromePhotography #MastoArt #KielderForest #MonochromeMonday

A vertical black and white photograph of boats on water framed by tall pine tree trunks.

More #northumberland autumn colours, this time #KielderForest

Large fungi on a tree stump in the woods

Lakes fields and hills viewed from the top of a high fell

This is what we like to see at #Starcamp - the temperature finally dropped, and clear skies predicted all night. ✨ Everyone is out with the telescopes, getting some lovely images and enjoying the occasional shooting star too!
#KielderForest #astro #stargazing #DarkSkies

Screenshot of weather app for Kielder, Northumberland - the darkest skies in all England and home to Kielder Starcamp. Clear skies predicted all night after a day of cloudy skies is very welcome.

Spotted this tiny fawn while out on the MTB up in #KielderForest #northumberland. It was perfectly camouflaged and I only saw it because it moved its head just as my gaze passed over it. The pic is a little blurred as I rushed to take a snap before it’s mum, who I’d passed about 30m down the trail, started to worry about the threat to her baby.

Roe Deer Fawn about 40cm in length and 20cm tall finding shade beneath ferns and lying on moss

Nice to get out around Kielder Forest without having to use pedal power, for a change. First time taking the BMW off road. I know, it's hardly the Dakar, but everybody's got to start somewhere, right?

The locals were friendly when we stopped for coffee, too. 🐔

#KielderForest #Northumberland #BMW #motorcycle #OffRoad #Chickens

Two BMW RGS motorcycles of different vintages, parked in front of The Nick, a sculptural wooden shelter at Blakehope Nick in Kielder Forest.
http://kielderartandarchitecture.visitkielder.com/art-architecture/the-nick.html

Very stereotypical view down the middle of The Nick, showing the progressively rotating geometric structure of the shelter

Stone marker at Blakehope Nick (1500ft, 457m)

Inquisitive chickens of various breeds in a mostly grassy garden. Behind them are some picnic benches, and behind those some vehicles are parked: a selection of cars and two motorcycles.

Did a little recce of the start and finish sections of the new Dirty One-Thirty route this morning. Some good sections, some great sections, some … "interesting" sections. And at least one downhill that's going to leave the tired and unwary getting up close and personal with the scenery. 🙈

#DirtyReiver #Northumberland #Gravel #Cycling #KielderForest