Overview

Gravel Rides Northumberland showcases 15 of the best gravel bike rides across North East England. From 10 to 104 kilometres in length and covering a variety of terrain, there is something for every gravel cyclist. From the gentle beauty of the Reiver Trails and South Tyne Trail to the wild uplands of Kielder and the Cheviots, Gravel Rides Northumberland captures the region's full variety. Riders can enjoy peaceful commons, hidden forests and rolling valleys, with everything from easy lowland spins to remote and challenging routes through the most dramatic and rewarding landscapes of Northumberland and the North Pennines. Researched, ridden and written by local author Jordan Matthews, the routes feature clear and easy-to-use Ordnance Survey maps; easy-to-follow directions; details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings; stunning action photography; refreshment stops and local knowledge; and a detailed appendix. Also included is a link to downloadable GPX files. AUTHOR: Jordan Matthews has been riding and racing bikes in the North East all his life. He has devised hundreds of routes in the region, and has become something of an expert in gravel cycling in Northumberland and the North Pennines. There aren't many roads, bridleways or tracks he hasn't ridden in the area. He has worked in the bike industry since he was 16, as a bike builder in a shop, a mechanic at Recyke y'Bike, a cycling charity, and then for an adaptive cycling charity, working with people with disabilities. In 2024, Jordan worked with a gravel cycling events company as events manager for the north of England and Scotland, organising and running over 20 events. Jordan is currently Cycling UK's Cycling Development Officer for the North East region, working to get more people on their bikes through the Big Bike Revival and Community Cycling Club programmes. In 2026, Jordan will take over the route coordination roles for the Sandstone Way and Reivers Off-Road route from Ted Liddle. His writing has appeared in Cycle magazine and he contributed routes and advice to Huw Hennessy's book Cycling in Northumbria (Bradt, 2023). Gravel Rides Northumberland is his first book. Colour photography and Ordnance Survey maps

Full Product Details

Author:   Jordan Matthews
Publisher:   Vertebrate Publishing Ltd
Imprint:   Vertebrate Publishing Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 12.00cm , Height: 0.90cm , Length: 17.50cm
Weight:   0.190kg
ISBN:  

9781839812859

ISBN 10:   1839812850
Pages:   136
Publication Date:   12 March 2026
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction Acknowledgements How to use this book Rights of way Bikepacking The bike Recommended kit list General safety In the event of an accident Wildlife Rules of the (off) road Planning your ride Maps & symbols Section 1 – Easy routes 01 Reiver Trails: Bull Crag Trail – 10.3km 02 Belford & St Cuthbert’s Cave – 17.4km 03 Hexhamshire Common – 21.9km 04 South Tyne Trail – 47.8km Section 2 – Straightforward routes 05 Redesdale – 30.3km 06 Derwent Reservoir & Slaley Forest – 34.2km 07 Tyne & Derwent Valleys – 40.7km 08 Bellingham & Wark Forest – 43.4km 09 Kielder North & Monkside – 51.7km 10 The Coquet Valley: Rothbury, Harwood Forest & Carriage Drive – 65.9km Section 3 – Challenging routes 11 The Breamish Valley & Salter’s Road – 25.5km 12 Kidland Forest – 33.2km 13 North Pennine Mining Circular – 64.6km 14 Kielder South: Wark Forest & Cross Crag Reiver Trails – 83.1km 15 Cheviot Orbital by Gravel Bike – 104.3km Appendix

Reviews

Author Information

Jordan Matthews has been riding and racing bikes in the North East all his life. He has devised hundreds of routes in the region, and has become something of an expert in gravel cycling in Northumberland and the North Pennines. There aren’t many roads, bridleways or tracks he hasn’t ridden in the area. He has worked in the bike industry since he was 16, as a bike builder in a shop, a mechanic at Recyke y’Bike, a cycling charity, and then for an adaptive cycling charity, working with people with disabilities. In 2024, Jordan worked with a gravel cycling events company as events manager for the north of England and Scotland, organising and running over 20 events. Jordan is currently Cycling UK’s Cycling Development Officer for the North East region, working to get more people on their bikes through the Big Bike Revival and Community Cycling Club programmes. In 2026, Jordan will take over the route coordination roles for the Sandstone Way and Reivers Off-Road route from Ted Liddle. His writing has appeared in Cycle magazine and he contributed routes and advice to Huw Hennessy’s book Cycling in Northumbria (Bradt, 2023). Gravel Rides Northumberland is his first book.

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