.. (Cumbria) and turn right towards Horseholme, Butterburn and Churnsike Lodge.
Access to the firing range for the military
In common with many riders, the road has become an addiction. This year it has taken me 12,000 miles around Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, to the Arctic Circle and on a GB-wide tour of all the Premiership rugby clubs. I have ridden in bright sunshine, torrential rain and a severe weather warning in the Netherlands. Still, I itch to get out, to be set free.
It had been ten days since I last felt the wind blast on my face, the exhilaration of open air speed, so despite the less than promising forecast, I was determined to go. West through Fourstones, along the Military Road which runs parallel to Hadrian’s Wall, to Greenhead and turn right twice for Gilsland and then right at Moscow. Once again, I was heading for the epicentre of nowhere, to places marked Danger Area on the OS Map – irresistible.
Weak bridge, light bike
The alternative route
Crossing Butter Burn
Near Churnsike Lodge
Military Hardware – MoD firing range
No firing today
Rain soaked roads
Churnsike Lodge was as far as I was planning to go, but there is future temptation. According to Wiki, the lodge was constructed in 1850 by the Charlton family, descendants of the noted Border Reivers family of the English Middle March. The lodge formed part of the extensive Hesleyside estate, located some 10 miles from Hesleyside Hall itself. This suggests there might be a connecting route through Wark Forest – something to be investigated on another, drier day – if so, it would be part of a 60+ mile circular route, almost entirely comprising single lane tarmac roads and forestry gravel tracks. Wouldn’t that be good!
northumbrian : light 
Long time no see, Robin, and now I understand why. You’ve been busy being free. Good for you. All the Premiership teams, eh? We’re big rugby fans and just finished watching all the World Cup games. What a series!! When I saw Moscow in your title, Al Stewart’s “Road to Moscow” immediately popped into my head. It’s such a wonderful song about a horrible time. I did a blog post on it once and for many years it go more traffic than any of my other posts, even though no one ever “liked” or commented on it. It just had a life of its own.
Sounds as though all’s well in your part of the world and I’m glad.
janet
Terrific photographs as always. I assume you took the ‘weak bridge’ route rather than the alternative.
Many thanks – yes, those tyres are good on the rough stuff. slippery wet stuff, less so 😉
Very vividly described. Almost tempted to become a born again biker.
Regards Thom
Thanks Thom – I recommend it 😉