Volunteers to trial ebike riding at Kielder Water

We're fortunate to have Kielder Water with it's numerous cycling trails including the 27 mile Lakeside Way, approx 1 hour drive (30 miles) away and we'd like to be able to help introduce future Wispers to the pleasure of e-biking,

With this in mind and as we usually do, we'd like to run a couple of Trial retreats including a days cycling at Kielder Water to explore this possibility. You can either bring your own bike or we can lend you one. Otherwise all you need to bring is yourself and a moderate level of fitness - you definitely don't need to be super fit.

Having 'discovered' the ebike in 2025 and rediscovered cycling after many years away we now wish we'd taken the plunge on electric bikes years ago. Cycling on the road can be intimidating due to traffic and cycling off road can feel a bit too much like hard work. Cycling off road trails with the assistance of an ebike however really is a great way to get back on your bike and to rediscover the joy of cycling.

Please note that this is a standard retreat open to first retreaters and returners who would like to help us explore ebikes, Kielder Water and this new activity (so patience and laid back attitude essential!) for a day in April or June.  You can book below, or send us an email if you have any questions.

 From Visit Kielder : The landscape around Kielder has become the home to a unique collection of visual art and architecture structures. These have been created by artists who have been inspired by the scale and complexity of Kielder’s varied, fascinating history and its unique environment.

Many people visit Kielder for this open-air art experience but for some, they are a surprising curiosity discovered on a walk or bike ride and provide point of interest, a place to rest, contemplate, take in the landscape and environment, and take a picture.

The artworks are located around the lake on or near the Lakeside Way, within in the forest, on the surrounding fells, and in the neighbouring Northumberland National Park with most pieces being fully accessible to visitors.

The varied works include ‘Bakethin Hide’, a wildlife watching space (delivered in collaboration with Newcastle University’s School of Architecture as part the Testing Ground programme), the award-winning futuristic shelter ‘Kielder Belvedere’ (by Softroom Architects); ‘Kielder Skyspace’ light sculpture (by James Turrell), “Silvas Capitalis” (by SIMPARCH) giant head structure that watches and listens to the nuances of forest life and “Minotaur”, a contemporary maze (by Nick Coombe & Shona Kitchen) sited within the grounds of Kielder Castle.