Four Castles

Four Castles
Sat 24th June 2023 9.30am 34 miles
Start at Durham Cathedral DH1 3EH

Not quite a Two Ronnies sketch but today’s ride will be showcasing some of County Durham’s mighty castles. We’ll be enjoying the delights of Durham, Brancepeth, Witton and Bishop Auckland joined together by 34 miles hugging, the River Wear. It is moderately hilly for Durham, a mix of on and off road and for more seasoned riders. As it stands it is a packed lunch and flask ride but this may change following a reccy of the ride and we will let you know further details nearer the time.

We’ll start from Durham Cathedral and Castle and head out of town via Prebends Bridge and Stonebridge. Second castle stop will be Brancepeth before we tackle the long uphill to Stanley Crook. Back down to the Wear via Crook and Howden and Witton le Wear where we will pedal past our third stop at Witton Castle. Continuing past California and Escomb we’ll soon be freewheeling to Bishop Auckland. Castles bagged we’ll wind our way back to the start and depending on conditions, either via along the Auckland Way to Spennymoor, past the Honest Lawyer at Sunderland Bridge and the Cock of the North or via the Brandon Bishop railway path.

Our ride will be a mix of on and decent off road road but with a couple of shorter rougher sections. A hybrid bike is the best choice and definitely not for light weight road machines.

In order for the ride to leave promptly, please be punctual so we can carry out bike checks, etc. prior to us setting off. Please make sure your bike is in working condition and bring a spare tube to fit your tyres. Expect to be out for about 6 hours.
As always we can’t predict the weather so please dress suitably. You are better to be overdressed as you can always take layers off.

For any queries please contact us at [email protected]. If you need to cancel your place please do this as soon as you know you can’t make it to give someone else the chance to join and if last minute we know not to expect you.

If the weather is unsuitable for cycling eg thunderstorms we will only contact you if we are cancelling the ride and will do so no later than 8am on the day by putting a message in the ‘conversation’ tab in the ride. You should receive a notification by email if there is a message. If you have not heard from us we are still riding.