Breezing some Graeme Hopper sculptures

Breezing some Graeme Hopper sculptures
Monday 9th Dec 10am 15 miles
Start Willington Park Street car park - junction with A690
DL15 0PF
A postcode search will take you slightly to the west but have a look in street view as the car park is easy to find and very visible.

Sculptures have been a 2019 Breeze Durham theme. We have celebrated Ray Lonsdale but we also want to highlight Crook based blacksmith/artist, Graeme Hopper, whose pieces are all over our county and the north east. Graeme blends functionality with his artistic flair and we regularly encounter his work eg school gates, Durham riverbanks railings (including bikes, dogs and runners), millennium bug at Botanic Gardens. We have arranged to view Graeme’s work at his farm near Helmington Row and his forge near Hunwick. This is more than just a ride, but a day out, and we will not be rushing to get back. Expect to be out for 5 hours and come suitably dressed for cycling and standing around.

We’ll be starting in Willington and will fit in most of the ride before visiting Graeme. We’ll head up onto the hills to the south via Oakenshaw, Stanley Crook, Billy Row and the maze of back roads near Mown Meadows. In Crook we’ll have a cuppa before heading south to Howden, North Bitchburn and over to Hunwick to his forge. Then it’s back uphill (not another one) and over to Helmington Row to more sculptures before the downhill back to Willington. It is a hilly ride so not one for beginners.

Unusually for Durham the ride will be largely on road but take into account this will be December so it may be mucky so mudguards are preferred. If the weather’s poor we’ll amend the ride but still visit the sculptures.

For any last minute cancellations on the day please text 07493808927 (note this phone is only for the day of the ride) otherwise use the option to cancel when you log in to letsride.co.uk. Cancelling via letsride also gives others the chance to join us if the ride is full.

In order for the ride to leave promptly, please be punctual so we can carry out bike checks, etc. prior to us setting off. Make sure your bike is in working condition and bring a spare tube to fit your tyres and with correct valve..

Hope you can join us for a fun, friendly ride with a bit of a local twist If you want any more information email us at [email protected].

Audrey and Susan