Mosstrooper - 300Km - 180 miles - 3700 metres climbing
Start 06:00 Saturday 26th May 2018 Kirkley Cycles Thorneyford Newcastle
Mosstroopers were raiders who operated in the English-Scottish borders in the mid 17th Century.You can follow history with this senic challenging route across the North Pennines and into the Scottish Borders.
Travelling South from the start you cross the Tyne climbing to Muggleswick Village Hall near the Derwent Reservoir for breakfast after 40 Km.
After a climb over Waskerley Common descend Crawleyside to Stanhope and turn onto the A689 to Killhope Cross at 629 metres the highest paved pass in England. passing through Nenthead to Alston you join the A686 and climbing the famous 580 metre Hartside Pass.
After Penrith control flat roads towards Carlisle are followed by gentle climbing onto Bewcastle, At Newcastleton where Mosstroopers and Border Reivers fought over the debatable lands between England and Scotland, stop at the Copshaw Kitchen for tea or an early evening meal.
Return to England beside Kielder water the largest man-made lake in England. Your final checkpoint in Elsdon is the impromptu cafe where Alan and Marion will welcome you. The last long climb is Winters Gibbet before a run into the finish.
The Mosstrooper is a step up in distance and has some challenging climbing. You will have 20 hours until 02:00 Sunday to complete the ride.
