BASCG

19/10/2026

Monday's ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England.
Out through the traffic lights to the bypass then left over the roundabout and upto Brack's farm from there we took the Auckland Way to Spennymoor. Through the park around the housing estate to the Cemetery then onto the Coach and Horses pub and along to Hett. Following the road around to Metal Bridge and Tursdale then taking the pathway past Amazon into Bowburn along to High Shincliffe and down to Durham. Through the traffic lights straight on past the Collage to the pub through the traffic and onto the Duke of Wellington and down to Stonebridge. Turning right at the roundabout towards Broom Park then taking the NCN70 and theNCN14 around to Bearpark for a coffee stop at the Feed and Fodder Cafe. Back along the NCN14 then taking NCN70 down over the bridge up through Langley Moore, Medowfield, Brandon, Brancepeth and Willington then onto the NCN715 at Hunwick. Along to the eleven arches bridge and Bishop Auckland then back across the town to the Leisure Centre, we'll done everyone another excellent ride in great company.

17/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FTkyt2GPx/

Of interest to Shildon works as this bridge lies on the original route of the S&D Railway.
On Wednesday's (14th October) the installion of the new footbridge crossing the River Gaunless at West Auckland. The Gaunless being a tributory of the River Wear.
The picture shows an aerial view of the installation shared from a posting by Bishop Auckland historian Dale Daniel.
Durham County Council give this detail:-
A crowd gathered to watch a historic part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway be reinstated.
We have begun installing a new bridge over the River Gaunless, on the site of the former in West Auckland.
The new structure has been recreated in honour of Gaunless Bridge, which was built by George Stephenson and formed part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Considered to be the first iron bridge in the world to be built for the modern railway, the original Gaunless Bridge was removed in 1901 and its ironwork can now be seen at Locomotion in Shildon.
Due to its size, the new crossing is being lifted into place in two halves by a 650-tonne crane before being welded together.
Its installation was witnessed by an excited crowd which included members of the public and partners from Historic England and Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Exciting milestone
Cllr Tim McGuinness, our Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said: "We are delighted to be restoring a key part of County Durham's history with the installation of the new Gaunless Bridge.
"Creating a new Gaunless Bridge has been a large and challenging project and this marks an exciting milestone for everyone involved.
"Once complete, people will be able to explore the original line and reconnect with our county's incredible railway heritage."
Works continue
Work will continue over the next three months to create accessible paths at either end of the bridge.
When finished, it will complete the Stockton and Darlington Railway Active Travel Route.
The 12-mile walking and cycling route was created to celebrate the railway's bi-centenary and follows the original line from Witton Park to Darlington.
Award win
The Gaunless Bridge project was recently recognised at the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation North East & Cumbria Awards.
It won the Collaboration Award in recognition of the close working between ourselves , Historic England, Environment Agency, contractors and members of the public.

15/10/2026

A crowd gathered to watch a historic part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway be reinstated.

We have begun installing a new bridge over the River Gaunless, on the site of the former one in West Auckland.

The new structure has been recreated in honour of Gaunless Bridge, which was built by George Stephenson and formed part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Once fully installed, work will continue over the next three months to create accessible paths at either end of the bridge.

When finished, it will complete the Stockton and Darlington Railway Active Travel Route, a 12-mile walking and cycling route that follows the original line from Witton Park to Darlington.

A crowd gathered to watch a historic part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway be reinstated.

13/10/2026

Wednesdays ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England,
Leaving 10am weather permitting.

13/10/2026

Monday's ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham Northeast England.
Heading towards the Collage up past Holmes garage then right towards Escombe left at the School through California and Witton Park to the bridge over the river. Along to the Engineer's Cottages and onto Howden-le-Wear along the track, turning left up past the Australian pub then right on the track to Crook industrial estate. Around past the Football ground left at the roundabout towards Crook Community Gym and climbing up the track to the road. Crossing over staying on the track along to the Deerness Valley Way through Waterhouses and Eshwining to Broom Park Durham then taking NCN70 and NCN 14 around to Bearpark for a coffee stop at Feed and Fodder. Back along the NCN14 and joining the NCN70 down over the new bridge and the new tarmac surface making it easier to climb up the other side. Keeping to the track NCN 70 through Langley Moore, Medowfield, Brandon, Brancepeth and Willington to the NCN715 into Bishop Auckland
Well done everyone another great ride in excellent company.

11/10/2026

Monday's ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England,
Leaving 10am weather permitting

06/10/2026

Wednesdays ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England
Leaving 10am weather permitting

05/10/2026

Monday's ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England.
Out to Tindale Crescent up towards Shildon then right at the roundabout up Brusselton incline to the Winch House down through the underpass into the industrial estate. Crossing the road and heading along the cyclepath to Locomotion through the carpark over the bridge and onto the track to Aycliffe station. Out to the right along the cyclepath down past Husqvarna the around to Heighington station and Heighington Village. Down to the Blacksmith pub on the A68 crossing over to Walworth Gate left towards Darlington and West Park. Crossing Darlington on the cyclepaths to Faverdale, Whessoe Road and North Road then onto the Riverside Pathway to Houghton Road. Crossing at the traffic lights to Redbarns Way and Mighty Bite cafe for a coffee stop. Out towards Middleton-St-George crossing over the bridge the switching back towards the road and following the cyclepath to the A66. Under the A66 and down to Little Burdon around to Asda and along past the golf club to North Road. Heading towards Cotham Mundeville and Aycliffe Industrial Estate then around past Husqvarna to Aycliffe station joining the track to Shildon through the park and down to Tindale Crescent and Bishop Auckland. Well done everyone another excellent ride in a warm but windy day.

05/10/2026

Monday's ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England,
Leaving 10am weather permitting
Todays destination.

30/09/2026

Wednesdays ride from Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham, Northeast England,
Solo ride today so as they say Head down Ars- up. Today was a day to let the legs loose. Out to Tindale Crescent upto Shildon around the bypass along to Locomotion over the bridge and onto the track to Aycliffe station. Out to the left following the cyclepath down to the burn past the boating lakes over Stephenson Way under Burn Lane upto Woodham Academy School. Around to Central Avenue along the pathway to Moore Lane past the Gretna pub around past GStamp under the Blue bridge then left to Simpasture's shops. Around Cumby Road to Aycliffe station along the track to Shildon through the park and down to Tindale Crescent and Bishop Auckland.