FARM MACHINERY We all love getting out into the countryside to make the most of the quiet Northumberland lanes, but extreme caution is needed at this time of year when the crops are being brought in and there are more / larger pieces of farm machinery using the roads. As news filters in of an horrendous accident involving a cyclist and a combine harvester near Kirkley yesterday, we'd like to issue a few tips on how to keep yourself, and your fellow riders, as safe as possible. - BE ALERT. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. We all like chatting as we cycle along in the sunshine, but don't let it distract you from what's going on around you. - BE AWARE of machinery in adjacent fields which may exit gateways. - KEEP LEFT. Especially when approaching corners, blind bends or hills. - WATCH OUT for mud on the road which might make the surface slippery (or disguise pot holes). - LET MACHINERY PASS - pull over and get as far off the road as possible. It doesn't matter who you think has right of way, protect *yourself*. - BE VOCAL - If you're in a group, alert your fellow riders vocally to the hazard as soon as possible. Shout that you're slowing/stopping and then get everyone into a safe place. - BE RESPONSIBLE for your own safety and that of your fellow riders. Our thoughts go out to all those involved yesterday.

RIDES COMING UP ....... Wednesday 28th - Cobalt - 1730. An easy evening ride, taking in some of the quirks of Jesmond Dene, with a pint along the way! Saturday 31st - Kirkley - 10am. Meet at the WATBike workshop for a 45 mile loop on the roads to Elsdon, where we'll have refreshments at the Impromptu Cyclist Cafe, before returning to base. Sunday 1st September - Darren Fickling Memorial Ride and the GNAA Doornbos Ride. Good luck to everyone taking part in these rides, especially those riding in memory of our friend Darren.

Weekly Guided Rides 2019

If you need any information about the rides we have organised, all the monthly schedules are published in the "Weekly Guided Rides" folder in our photo library.

The ride list for September is now available. Lots going on in the month ahead, including another "big ride"; an outing to see Elmer the Elephant; two Big Bike Revival celebration events..... and the OVO Energy Tour of Britain is in the region - a great opportunity to see some of the world's best cyclists riding the roads we all use on a daily basis.

DARREN FICKLING MEMORIAL RIDE - Sunday 1st Sept For those of you doing the ride with us next Sunday, please make sure you have paid your money to Claire by Tuesday 27th August. Final details and timings for the buses will be sent out on Wednesday, but for those not cycling we will be at Seaton Sluice Club from around 2pm and at the bench for a photo taken by a drone at 3pm. Please call in to the club and have a glass as they have kindly donated the upstairs room free of charge from 2 til 5pm .

Photos from WATBike's post

A lovely 30 mile ride from the Kirkley workshop, with refreshments at the Village Store Cafe in Matfen. Definitely a scorchio Saturday !

BBC North East and Cumbria

What are you doing this bank holiday weekend ..... apart from riding your bikes, of course?! Why not combine two fun things for the kids and the "big kids" by cycling around to find Elmer the Elephant - 50 colourful sculptures in various locations

Photos from WATBike's post

A great group of 19 for Wednesday's outing around the cycleways and tracks - we practically took over The Holystone pub at the end of the ride! This weekend....... Join us for a 30 mile loop from our Kirkley workshop on Saturday, when we'll be visiting the lovely Village Shop Cafe in Matfen. Depart at 10am.

Seaton Valley Community Council

Watch out for these bikes on a roundabout near you - they'll be painted red and yellow, ready for the Tour of Britain coming through our region on Monday 9th September!

RIDES THIS WEEK Wednesday 14th - Linskill Centre - 1730. Join us for a coastal loop of around 15 miles with a pub stop along the way. The cafe at the Linskill Centre is open until 6pm, so grab a cuppa and a bit of cake before we go! Sunday 18th August - Cobalt - 9am. Circular ride out on the quiet lanes to Bolam, with a refreshment stop at the visitor centre coffee shop, before the return to Cobalt. Around 40 miles.

Photos from WATBike's post

8 of us braved the rain to head to Rothbury on a small panniers ride this weekend . As usual it was another WATbike adventure that's for sure and we had to be rescued this morning by the lovely Barry as the only road out was the main road! No good for us cyclists. Thanks all who came it was definitely fun .

DARREN FICKLING MEMORIAL RIDE - 1st September If anyone hasn't received an email in the last week and would like to be included for the ride, please message Claire as soon as possible on cycling@watbus.org.uk