I've just had a day off in Newcastle and spotted the Tyne Bridge Bike
Hire at the Guildhall by the Swing Bridge. Although it was already
mid-afternoon, I decided to get a bike for the remaining two hours -
for just £7.50. The bike was the best one I've ever rented, a
Revolution Trailblazer with virtually indestructible and pumped
rock-hard Marathon Ultra tyres and a decent but comfy saddle. The hire
desk has lots of Sustrans info and local route maps but as I was short
of time, I decided to do part of the C2C Coast to Coast route along the
Tyne towards South Shields. This is Sustrans Route 72 and although I
was given an excellent cycling map, I didn't need it because it was so
well signed. Shame you can't say that about the local Wandle Trail.

Most of the route is shared with Hadrian's Way and follows the old
Riverside Railway route. You pass part of Hadrian's Wall along the
route. The entire surface is tarmac and has very few barriers, all of
which are just chicanes and none of which required a dismount. Trikes,
tandems and recumbents would be ok up here. Despite being wide open, I
didn't see any misuse of the trail by motorbikes, probably because
there are very clear signs saying that motorised vehicles aren't
permitted. I imagine that it's well policed too. What a contrast to the
lazy ignorant approach to off-road routes employed by the Met and our
local councils.

I didn't have enough time to get to Tynemouth but it would make a great
day ride out to Whitley Bay. Maybe an idea for the summer? Especially
as there's a fantastic gelateria right by the cycle hire. I had topical
mince pie and Christmas pud flavours!

Overall, this was my best experience of renting a bike. I've rented
before in Plymouth (shoddy bike) and ridden the Plym Valley railway
line, Glasgow (poor service and shoddy bike) where I rode the Sustrans
route to Loch Lomond, tried in vain to rent one in Birmingham but there
isn't a bike hire as far as I can see and rented a complete wreck in
the Norfolk Broads that cost a tenner but had a replacement value of
about £5. I'd recommend the Newcastle area and the Guildhall's bike
hire to anyone who wanted to get out of the South for a cycling weekend
away.

I'd be pleased to hear about any other positive experiences of renting
bikes around the UK. Anyone?

Mark