Gallery
David ready to roll while Mark Williams fettles his bike outside Bellingham Youth Hostel.
High on the B6341 above Elsdon, the Cheviots loom under grey skies.
Turning off at Swindon for Alwinton and the Cheviot track, Swindon Hill purple.
Climbing into Upper Coquetdale beyond Alwinton, the lane threading past Barrow Mill.
Chris splashes through the ford near Trows Farm as the youngsters breeze it.
The track turns grassy as we continue climbing towards Windy Gyle.
Grinding up the grassy bridleway, closing on the border at Windy Gyle.
At last, the Cheviot crest—bleak, broad and gloriously empty.
Windy Gyle’s border: just a weathered wooden gate and far-reaching views.
Gathered at the Windy Gyle border—no checkpoint, just a gate and heather.
Chris and Michael Hall tip into Scotland, a playful, occasionally boggy descent.
Tarmac at last—wheels rinsed in Cocklawfoot’s ford while David’s puncture is sorted.
Jeff and Graham wheel out from Kirk Yetholm Youth Hostel, panniers packed for departure.
Kelso’s broad cobbled square—the largest in Scotland—moments after the Post Office shut.
Lunch on The Cobby park’s riverside lawns at Kelso, with Floors Castle across the Tweed.
Looking back from Jedburgh Road to Kelso Bridge, with St Andrew’s and the Abbey beyond.
Floors Castle basking across parkland from the A699 on leaving Kelso.
Aidan, Brett, Graham, Mark and Michael ready to roll from Snoot’s chapel hostel on a sunny morning.
Crossing the Borthwick Water footbridge from Snoot’s meadow, heaving touring bikes back to the road.
Aidan, Brett, Gary, Graham and Mark cool off at Ewes Water’s rickety suspension bridge.
Mark heads towards Newbiggin Farm in soft evening sunshine, the group strung out ahead.
Brett and Graham spin past Newbiggin Farm, evening light on hedges and fields.
Morning sunshine on Etterby House, Carlisle Youth Hostel, before heading into Carlisle.
The full tour group gathered at Carlisle Youth Hostel in the sunshine.