Billie Tribute Ride - Newburn to Corbridge

Billie Fleming, who died in May 2014 aged 100, has a unique place in the history of cycling. In 1938, she cycled every day and set the women's world record for the greatest distance cycled in a single year by embarking on an extensive cycling tour of the British Isles. The cycle maker Rudge Whitworth agreed to provide her with a bike — a heavy steel machine fitted with a three-speed cycle derailleur gear — and to arrange sponsorship, in return for her agreeing to ride the bike every day of the year and to help promote the company. Billie reached her final goal of celebrating her 100th birthday and receiving a card from the Queen. She was also pleased to see her 1938 achievement of cycling 29,604 miles in print. To honor her life and great achievements in encouraging women to cycle 2015 is a tribute year with women taking turns to lead a ride each day to celebrate. Trying to match the places where we know Billie cycled. On 12th September 1938 she rode through Newcastle. Join us to celebrate the freedom of the bike and it's place in our lives. More about the year of celebrations here: http://www.tributetobillie.co.uk/index.html Look out for other local Breeze tribute rides coming up this month! We'll be aiming for an average pace of 10 miles an hour, you'll need to have had some experience of riding on road with traffic, and have a reasonable level of basic fitness. Your bike will need to be a hybrid, road bike with sturdy tyres, cyclocross or similar bike. Mountain bikes may struggle if not used to long distances of road riding. The road surface is particularly bumpy in places and we may cross a small patch of gravel - we suggest you don't bring your best carbon road bike on super skinny tyres. Please bring suitable clothing, a roadworthy bike, water and a snack, change for the Activ cycles cafe at Corbridge and a spare inner tube and provisions for riding for about three hours in total. They can lend us a lock so no need to bring your own unless you want to. You can find our route here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10253559