Iveco/Plaxton 648 WHK is now in standard light blue livery.

I've been an avid cyclist for many years, so I want to share some of my routes and get a few in return. There arent too many sites around for the north east. I guess we see if anyone but me cycles, but here we go. I'm omitting trips to and from my front door, so all routes will start at Metrocentre Transport Interchange, for instance sake.


#1 (Road/Path) (45.6 Miles - 4h 25m) Metrocentre - Scotswood Bridge - Lemington - Newburn - Prudhoe - A695 - Stocksfield - Riding Mill (Pub) - A68 - Whitenstall - Ebchester - Shotley Bridge - Blackhill - Derwent Walk - Tanfield Railway Path - Metrocentre

The main roads are safe, the only places to watch is the A68, for which you will need to keep a decent speed. Everywhere else is safe because it's all open road. Whitenstall bank is a real killer, so is Blackhill. The Derwent Walk back is all down hill and takes just 45 minutes. Loved this one!


#2 (Road/Path) (29.1 miles - 3h 20m) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Course Derwent Walk - Rowlands Gill - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Harelaw - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Greencroft Industrial Estate - Maiden Law - Lanchester - A691 - Delves Lane - Consett - Blackhill - Derwent Walk - Blaydon - Metrocentre

This one is a big loop, enjoyable if you are brave enough to endure the 691 uphill for 5 miles. Love going through Lanchester and Derwentside, though.


#3 (Road) (55.5 miles - 5h 0m)
Metrocentre - Teams - Swing Bridge - Dean street - Roundabout over Central Motorway with metro radio thing - Quayside - St. Peter's Basin - Tyne Met - New York - North Tynside Hospital - Whitely Bay - Coast to Tynemouth - North Shields - Ferry (Passenger Tunnels are off until 2018, have to pay for this ferry!) - South Sheilds - Whiteleas - The Boldens - Primrose - Wardley - High Heworth - Wrekenton Bank - Team Valley - Dunston - Metrocentre

This one is a cracker on a sunny day, especially going down the coast. Not many hills, either. Will be my favourite when the public cycle tunnels open again!


#4 (Road/Path) (46.2 miles) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Club - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Flint Hill - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Sacriston - CLS - Penshaw Monument (break on the hill at monument) - Fence houses - Shiney Row - Sunderland - South Shields - Whiteleas - The Boldens - Primrose - Wardley - High Heworth - Wrekenton Bank - Team Valley - Dunston - Metrocentre

Great trip around Derwentside and across all of south Tyne and Wear. Great views from Penshaw.


#5 (Road/Path) (31.1 miles) Metrocentre - Tanfield Railway Path - Sunniside - C2C - Whickham Golf Club - Derwent Walk - Blackhill - Consett - Dipton - Flint Hill - Catchgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Sacriston - CLS - A167 - Angel of the North - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Bensham Bank - Dunston - Metrocentre

This one is a decent one, but I only use this as a variation route.

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MMC on 38. Enviro 300 on X34

Not a good start in Alnwick today, there's a Solo on the 472.

1495 is also on the X16.

Does anyone know how many of Slatyford's new E200MMCs have entered service today?

(30 Nov 2016, 9:57 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I seemed to have got my fleet numbers mixed up, I was on 4662 (which I thought I had been told was VOR), whereas 4661 was VOR. My apologies.

When are 691/692 arriving?

I would imagine, 2 of the Citaro's will be staying at Peterlee until they enter service?

Not looking for libelous answers, and talking purely professionally; Its just been announced that First Manchester are getting a new MD in the New Year. Its Phil Medlicott who used to be at SGNE. Can anyone shed any light on what he might change in terms of policy?

Do something amazing... How many of you do it?