Sustrans – the sustainable transport charity – has launched a competition to name a major new heritage cycle route that circles Northumberland. The winner will be presented with a new bicycle by Santa Claus before Christmas.

The project uses 300 miles of the National Cycle Network and skirts around the County of Northumberland taking in some of the country’s best built and natural heritage. The route runs up the coast from Tynemouth past wonderful beaches and magnificent castles before turning back inland at Berwick-upon-Tweed down through the National Park via Wooler and Bellingham then heading back to Tyneside via Hadrian’s Wall and completing the loop crossing the fabulous new Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Bryn Dowson, Sustrans’ Regional Manager, said today: “The route is designed so you can try bits of it as day rides, sections of it over a weekend, or spend the whole week doing the lot. You will also be able to stay in several places along the way and cycle or walk around the area discovering things that even the tourist guides didn’t know about! With good links to rail stations and the award-winning Hadrian’s Wall bus service you can easily leave your car at home and begin to explore. The great thing is that while you are enjoying yourself, you are providing a crucial source of income to rural communities who have been hit so hard recently by the decline in farming and Foot and Mouth disease. It’s a project where everyone can benefit.”

Sustrans asks for members of the public who can think of a name for this 300 mile cycle route then write it down and send it to:

A Route with No Name Competition
Sustrans
37 Side
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3JE

No details on what the prize bike actually is, but we’re searching through that classic Geordie dictionary – the Viz Profanisaurus – to find a suitable entry ourselves.