After a welcoming speech, by the lady mayor of north Tyneside, it was time to take the eco to the roads, and make our way to the first stop of the day at the roman fort museum of Sedgedunum and the sort remains of the wall here in Wallsend, Northumberland, England.
From here we would ride along a cycle path all the way to Newcastle quay side without any problems, on arriving on the north side of the river Tyne we waited until the whole group could cross the Millennium Bridge together. This was a great opportunity to let the mass crowds on both sides of the river see what eco tourism is all about.
Once on the Gateshead side, of the river it was time to enjoy the views and take in the sights, some Eco-trippers took the lift to the top of the art centre and had a fantastic view of the scenes on both sides of the Tyne.
After an hour stop, it was time to continue on our journey west, to do this we would need to re-cross the river Tyne onto the Newcastle side.
After a short while of riding along the north side of the Tyne we arrived at Newburn leisure centre, to do a head count and rest before continuing to ride to Stevenson cottage, [pioneer of the modern railway].
Here we were to learn that an old friend of mine had taken two of the oversea's riders on a different route, but all was well as we all came together in Corbridge, before making our way to the church hall. That would serve as our place of rest for the night. The day was rounded off by first, a meal in the local pub together with a well earned pint of beer. Some of us would then walk down to the old bridge that spans the river Tyne here in Corbridge to watch the sun go down.

Day two: Monday, 26^th of July:

Today would be a busy one, starting by first, making breakfast in the church hall kitchen, then off to visit the church of Saint Andrews here in Corbridge.
After collecting a booklet to help with the guided tour of this Saxon church dating back to A.D. 786 the vicar said a few words of welcome and then with the help of a guide we all enjoyed a very informative guide around the church and were allowed to take many pictures as we wished, before leaving Corbridge to take the road out of this small village and cycling towards Hexham for a tea or coffee.
The route to Fourstones would take our group of Eco-trippers across a railway lines, before we rejoined the route that would lead us to our next stop of the day: Fourstones.
The four miles/6 km climb to Fourstones was going to be hard for all riders and I told all tour guides that it would be best if we let every rider ride at his or her own pace until we all would meet at the village of Fourstones. This worked very well and after a head count and with more climbing still to come we all did our own thing to reach the lime kiln, some 6 miles/9.5 km before the lunch stop.
The morning ride to Once Brewed youth hostel car park had been very hard and only four of the trippers rode to the top of the last climb to get a better view of the roman wall.
Lunch over it was time to return to our machines and ride back east for a short distance before a sharp left turn would give us access to the best part of the wall. Water was in great demand as it was now very hot. The back-up van had plenty of water on board and most was used to cool Jack Dekker down as Jack had been passed by Marita on the way to this point. Her speed had to be seen to be believed. More pictures were taken and after a rest it was time to take things a little easier and ride on through three gates before stopping and returning to ride the short distance by road to Wark village. Being last man in, by the time I pulled in outside the village shop and went inside only a few ice creams were left for sale.

The long climb out of Wark was met by a long descent before our Eco-trip ended for the day in the village of Bellingham.
A great meal and entertainment by some of the lads stacking beer cans as high as was possible in the y.h.a. and it was then time for bed.
A latecomer to my room and ginger would not settle down for the night, so he spent the night in the drying room, thanks Robert Blacquière.

Day three: Tuesday, 27^th of July:

Today would see the Eco-trip riders split/divide into two groups: The leisure riders leaving at 7.30am and after a clean-up of the hostel; The second group would set off later.
On leaving the village of Bellingham it was straight into climbing mode as we climbed steadily out and over the first set of hills of the day. These hills are better known as the Otterburn moors and at one point rise up to 900ft/275m but the weather was again kind to us, and with the sun in the heavens and beautiful sights to see what more could the Eco-trippers ask for, it was not long before the first riders arrived in Elsdon.
The home and café of Marion & Alan, a welcome sign on the village green reading welcome Eco-trippers, and soon riders were enjoying a meal of pasta followed by apple tart and ice cream plus as much tea or coffee as the rider would like, time here to visit the peel tower, once used to protect villages from the invaders from across the borders in times gone by.
Before the next big climb of the day: Bilsmoor, and coming soon after a big meal, this hill would be climbed at a very easy pace. Most riders made it to the top, without walking. At the top, leaders would explain the dangers of dropping down into the valley too fast, as a lot of sharp bends with Gravel/small stones laying on the surface might result in a fall if the rider did not take care.
After the descent, a car park provided a place to all meet for a short rest, before we continued on our way, then it was not long before the group would be passed by the second group of the day, who would meet us again in Glanton village for afternoon tea. From Glanton Johns riders would take a longer route, while we headed for Powburn then along quite country lanes before stopping on the outskirts of Wooler.
The hostel here is situated at the top of a very steep hill and most of the leisure riders walked the last few metres up to the hostel. After a shower and change of clothes we all gathered in the common room for a three course meal, served with beer. It had been a very hard but enjoyable day.
After the meal it only remained for me to sort the sleeping arrangements out, and then make a list out of all who would be staying the night in the hostel [this list would be pinned up out side the hostel, in case of a fire].
By 11.10 p.m. I would walk to the village and remind some of the group that the hostel closed its doors at 11pm with Ginger in the bike shed. I retired to bed at 11.45 p.m..

Day four: Wednesday, 28^th of July:

The day started shortly after we all had enjoyed a cooked breakfast here at Wooler hostel situated in the foot hills of the Cheviots hills, Northumberland.
After making up our packed lunches and cleaning out our sleeping quarters, it was time to set off once again on our h.p.v. machines and ride to the Wooler information centre, to be first made welcome then enjoy a talk and look round the centre, a photo shoot, then off in the direction of Millfield. But before arriving at Millfield we would be joined by local professional snapper Jason patient. Jas would be our tour guide for the morning ride, but before the café stop at Millfield we would visit Maelmin, a reconstructed village depicting life in years gone by.
The cafe is but a stone throw away from this history site and after a look round and lots of pictures taken we all gathered in the café for what would be one of many surprises of the day.
The teas and coffees plus scones and cakes were paid for by our birthday boy of the day Toni Cornelissen. Thanks Toni!
Returning to the route for the day we were soon once again starting to climb a very steep hill, before dropping down into the village of Branxton. Here we paid a visit to a villagers back garden to see some of the cement images scatted around his garden. This place is well worth a visit.
Back on the road, it was time to journey towards Scotland but first we would pay a call to the battlefields of Flodden and visit the site where one of the last battles between the English and Scots had been staged. Jason would take us to the outskirts of Coldstream, his home Town. Coldstream is a border town on the Scottish - English divide. A photo shoot with all the overseas riders would take place just before we entered the town of Coldstream, and then it was on to the Hersil for lunch. The Hersil is the stately home of the late Sir Alex Hume. [Once the leader of the English parliament], lunch over it was time to visit one of the many information centres in the grounds of this stately home.
Our talk this afternoon would be given by a fellow cyclist and his informative talk would be about the many types of stones found in and around the hills of Scotland.
On our way to Norham, the route would take the rider through LadyKirk.
Before our arrival in the tiny village of Norham back on the English side of the border, what can I say about the ladies of Norham? Words fail me.
The meal and dancers at night made the day for most of the Eco-trippers and all the pictures and memories of our first night well stay with most of us for all time to come. Toni's face is one I will not forget as the dance teacher took him in her charge for the night.
Then of course, to see how the dancing is done in the Netherlands.

Day five: Thursday, 29^th of July:

An early start by some of the overseas riders and this group along with Jason would leave for Holy Island. This group would also find time to cycle to Seahouses and then take a boat out to sea and visit the Farnes islands, home to thousands of birds and puffins that live on the islands.

The group that would go over to Berwick for the day had a much easier ride to their detention not leaving until 9.30 and after a slow ride made Berwick without any effort, a welcome by the lord Mayor and his wife.
Then it was off to explore the historic old town, but first Hans Pasman would have his cassette removed from his back wheel and a larger range of sprockets fitted for Hans to be able to ride over to Lancaster once the Eco-trip was at an end. His machine back in working order, Hans would join the rest of riders for lunch in a local café, our overseas visitors seem to like the all day breakfasts that are served in most café's.
The afternoon ride would see Jason turn up Berwick, after leaving the Holy Island cyclists, heading for seahouses. Jason took the lead and soon we were crossing the chain suspension bridge on the north side of the river Tweed Scotland and just after this crossing we found ourselves on the English side of border. A honey farm and ice cream café were our next stop. We all went and had a look round before buying an ice cream and then, returning out into the sunshine and our beloved h.p.v's, before long we were back in Norham. Hot water/ hand basin and paper towels were put outside so that people could have a strip wash while the ladies prepared the meal of the day. And what a meal it was!
The seahouses riders just made it back in time to join the entire Eco-trippers at the meal tables.
After the ladies cleared the dishes away and the floor was back normal, many of the days riders started to put down their bed roll for the night. A try out bike show was put on for the local villagers with Rob and Carol Hague allowing all to try out the new Greenspeed folder trike. Then bed time came and all went quiet again in the village of Norham.

Day six: Friday, 30^th of July:

Coast and castle day would start very early and soon the slower group were off on their way and climbing out of Norham, with the roads deserted of traffic. It was nice to enjoy the views, the mist was slow to clear but this was to our advantage as it kept the temperature down for the early part of the morning ride to Fenwick. In Fenwick we joined the Saint Cuthbert's way cycle route and made our way up to the top of a very steep hill before coming to a halt and taking a rest. Progress for the group was good, at a traffic lay by/ parking space, we were joined one by one of the faster cyclists, who had cleaned the village hall before setting out to ride and catch us up, just out side Belford I phoned ahead to see if the press and reception committee were there to meet us. Brenda Stanton who had organised the reception told me we were ahead on time. But as Belford has a lot to offer the tourist and Jason said it had plenty of places to visit, we rode to Belford and after a while, Brenda came out to greet the Eco-trip participants, and what a welcome it was! Brenda an ex teacher but now, keeps her self busy running her guest house and also helps with the local Tourist board, had spent the early morning baking scones and cakes to go with the tea/coffee that was on hand at the reception.
Following on from Brenda speech of welcome, a representative from the Northumberland tourist board gave a short talk on cycle in Northumberland, and then it was outside for a photo shoot for the local papers. The route down the coast would restart with the slower group leaving first, and in no time we had the sight of Bambough castle in view. It is a must to stop and enjoy this sea side village and castle. This gives the riders the opportunity to stretch their legs and take some picture of the castle. All to soon we rejoined the coastal route and were heading for Seahouses. It was full of holiday makers and so it was straight on to Beadnell bay. Here, some of the party decided to dip their feet in the sea, but finding it too cold, soon it was out the water and back with shoes on. Lunch would be here and as we travelled back out of the harbour, the faster group came into sight. We stayed long enough to say, all was well, and then push on to Warkworth village. Again this village is dominated by a large castle. Ice creams all-round and a short stay here, before the last mile to Amble.
All riders would during the late afternoon gathered in the Wellwood arms car park before riding to the harbour for a reception by the press and lady Mayor, the reception over it was time to go and secure the trikes and other machines in the church hall before having a cooked meal in the Wellwood Arms. Most of the Eco travellers made their way down to the harbour to witness the sun go down behind Warkworth castle before returning to the church hall for a good night's sleep, after a hard day in the saddle.

Day seven: Saturday, 31^last of July:

A seaside café would be the setting for the Eco-trippers to meet after an hours ride, south along the North Sea. Creswell village is one of the smallest on the coast, and having the Eco-trip stop here for tea/ice creams took the villagers by surprise.
Paulus den Boer was given a banana shaped balloon, by the owner of the café. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the first stop of the day, before moving on to pass Lynmouth Smelter plant and Lynmouth coal mine. The smelter produces aluminium while the mine provides coal for the smelters power station.
Having now passed Lynmouth we had to access a cycle route with lots of barriers.
These barriers are in place to stop cars using the cycle route, at one barrier a government officer would stop the riders and ask a few questions to see if a better system of stopping cars accessing, the cycle route, could be put in place. We made our way along the cycle way until the riders had to ride down a busy road.
But not for long, as we then returned to a cycle path that would bring the Eco-trip to a stop just outside a large super market in Blyth and then the rains came down.
All participants were to take shelter in the supermarket and receive money to go and buy a bottled drink, with the rain stopping the riders and their machines.
Resumed the ride onto Blyth harbour for a lunch stop, here we would find a tiny caravan that served hot drinks and after a photo shoot one by one we were served tea or coffee, leaving the harbour the whole group would cycle together along to sand dunes cycle route, before stopping in Seaton sluice for a rest a café near by was there.
If any of the group would like a bite to eat, the word sluice comes from the meaning gate. At the entrance to the harbour a sluice gate would be operated by hand to control the flow of water, to rise and fall when ever small boats would use the harbour.
In years gone by, boats would sail up the river here and some miles/km further inland was a steel foundry that needed to ship iron ingots to factories along the river Tyne. Returning to our trikes/ bikes/ velomobiles, we would soon be in Tynemouth.
The rain returned and it was better to just keep on the move. The party of Eco-trippers would split into smaller riding groups, some going to North shields Fish Quay for fish and chips, while others made their way to North Shields Ferry Terminal to do some last minutes shopping. But in the end we said over farewells to all the overseas visitors before each going our own ways.
The pirate had a few of the party back to his place for tea and coffee with four of the Eco-trippers staying over before we set off on the Monday for Lancaster, and my power point talk on Eco-tourism at Lancaster cycle festival.

The success of the Eco-trip was down to the participants taken part and thanks go to you all and a special thanks to all tour guides who did their best not to lose any of you.

Ken (The Pirate)