Description

Course:

 

Start on the unclassified road to Hamsterley (approximately 0.2 miles east of the village) on the end of the lane to St. James’ Church. Proceed in a westerly direction through Hamsterley village, past the Headquarters, 0.75 miles. To follow Windy Bank Road along the southern edge of Hamsterley Forest towards Woodland, and bear right at Robin’s Castle farm onto the single track road, signpost “Middleton, Eggleston”, 5.2 miles. At the Y-junction with B6282, 6.2 miles, bear left into Woodland, to climb through the village and carry straight on in front of the Edge Hotel, onto the unclassified road towards Toft Hill, 7.1 miles. Follow the road all the way to the T-junction with the B6282, Butterknowle to Toft Hill road, where bear left towards Toft Hill, 11.8 miles. Follow the B2682 to the junction with the A68 in front of “The Sportsman” pub, Toft Hill, to turn left with extreme care onto the A68, 12.8 miles. Proceed north on the A68 to pass The 68 Cafe and descend towards the River Wear. Bear left off the A68 onto the unclassified road signpost “Hamsterley Forest” (just before the bridge over the River Wear), 14.4 miles. Climb up the hill, passed the start/finish 15.7 miles onto the second lap. Continue through Hamsterley village for a second time and along the edge of the forest to Robin’s Castle farm, 20.9 miles, to bear right along the single track road to the Y-junction with the B6282, 21.9 miles. Bear left through Woodland, to carry straight on in front of the Edge Hotel, 22.8 miles, onto the unclassified road to Toft Hill. Bear left again at the junction with the B6282 from Butterknowle towards Toft Hill, 27.5 miles, to turn left onto the A68 with extreme care in front of “The Sportsman” pub, Toft Hill, 28.5 miles. Proceed on the A68 to pass The 68 Cafe and descend towards the River Wear. Turn left again onto the unclassified road to “Hamsterley Forest”, 30.0 miles, and climb up to the finish at the end of the lane to St. James’ Church, 31.4 miles.

Riders should not stop at the finish, but continue to the headquarters at Hamsterley Village Hall.