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‘A’ rides are seldom competitive and are generally run off at a moderately challenging pace and distances tend to be a bit around 60/70 miles during spring and summer. Speeds average around 14mph.

Some riders use mtbs or hybrids but  have to work harder to maintain the pace than the riders on race bikes, although during the winter mtbs are in common use.

‘A’ group routes are seldom planned in advance but are usually decided on the day, and depend on variables like the weather, wind direction and who fancies what.

A rides almost always feature a tea stop of around 40 minutes somewhere along the route, which is always designed with that in mind, so if you fancy tagging along don’t forget to take a few quid for tea and sarnies etc. If it’s very wet some riders don’t stop as it’s uncomfortable sitting in wet gear and it’s difficult to get warmed up after leaving the comfort of the cafe.

Currently the A group meets at the intersection between the Greenside/Wylam road and the Crawcrook/Ryton road near the traffic lights. On Sundays they meet at 9:30am.