Grounds today - Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC

The Route - Leaving Darlington (10 on map) heading due north towards the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne. We might see some familiar sites as a couple of us completed the Coast 2 Coast bike ride a few years ago which went through Newcastle. First stop is St. James Park, Newcastle United’s home (11 on map) before heading back over the River Tyne into Gateshead and then on to cross another main waterway, the River Wear as we head towards Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (12 on map), our next ground to visit.

After departing Sunderland, we head south hopefully not against the normally prevailing south westerly wind, towards northern Middlesborough where we lay our heads down after another fun filled day.

Four days down, ten more to go!

Accommodation - Holiday Inn Express, Stockton-on-Tees

Distance - Approximately 66 miles

Distance to Date - 230 miles