- Play Hard
- 26th Nov 2025
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Cycle into Christmas: Affordable gifts, winter ride tips and North East charities
- Advertisement Feature
If your New Year’s resolution is to get more active, you fancy picking up a new hobby or you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the cyclist in your life, there’s no better time to think bikes.
Cycling is a way to connect with our region, clear your head and do your bit for the planet.
And with brilliant local shops and charities working to make cycling accessible for everyone, there’s never been a better time to get on your bike.
TYNESIDE OUTDOORS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Tyneside Outdoors’ TO Bike provides a fantastic space for the Temple Raiders to store their bikes, tools and equipment for group activities and community projects. It is also a local bike recycling centre where people can donate bikes and accessories, buy affordable refurbished ones and learn maintenance skills through volunteering and workshops.
The project aims to support and inspire more people to get into cycling, offering advice, opportunities to join new cycling groups and access to sustainable, low-cost cycling resources.
CYCLE CENTRE UK, NEWCASTLE
At the heart of Newcastle’s cycling scene for decades, Cycle Centre UK is a family-run business known for its friendly service and expert advice. Whether you’re looking for a child’s first bike, an e-bike for your commute or a few upgrades for your current ride, the team here knows their stuff.
Their Christmas Club scheme allows you to reserve the perfect bike with just a small deposit, making budgeting for the festive season that little bit easier. They also offer bike rentals, ideal if you want to explore the region before deciding what to buy. Pop into their shop or check out their website for gift ideas, servicing packages or a friendly chat about your next ride.
RECYKE Y’BIKE, BYKER & CHESTER-LE-STREET
If there’s a North East cycling story that warms the heart, it’s Recyke y’bike. This social enterprise takes donated bikes, refurbishes them to a high standard and sells them at affordable prices. The money raised goes straight back into community projects – including donating hundreds of bikes each year to people who otherwise couldn’t afford one.
Recyke y’bike is on a mission to make cycling accessible for everyone, while reducing waste and encouraging sustainable travel. Their workshops in Byker and Chester-le-Street are packed with restored bikes for all ages, and they even run training sessions to help people learn how to fix and maintain their own rides.
FODI BIKE PROJECT, SUNDERLAND
In Sunderland, the Friends of the Drop-In (FODI) Bike Project proves that cycling can be life-changing. Working with asylum seekers and refugees, the charity restores donated bikes and gives them to people who need them most. For those living on a limited weekly allowance, a bike offers freedom.
FODI relies on volunteers who repair and collect bikes, and they’re always looking for new supporters. Donating a bike or your time could make a real difference to someone’s daily life this Christmas.
SUNDERLAND YOUNG PEOPLE’S BIKE PROJECT (SYPBP)
Another organisation making a huge impact is the Sunderland Young People’s Bike Project (SYPBP). Based in the city centre, they work with people of all ages and abilities to make cycling feel safe, fun and achievable. From balance bike sessions for toddlers to adult refresher courses and community rides, they offer something for everyone.
SYPBP also run hands-on workshops teaching bike maintenance and repair — essential skills that keep bikes roadworthy and reduce waste. It’s a brilliant example of how cycling can build confidence, community and sustainability all at once.
WINTER RIDING TIPS
Cycling in winter offers crisp air, quiet roads and a real sense of adventure – but preparation is everything. Make sure to layer up – think a breathable base layer to wick sweat, a cosy mid-layer like fleece or merino and a waterproof shell jacket to protect against wind and rain. Good gloves, thermal socks and a skull cap will keep you warm on frosty mornings.
Visibility is key during the darker months, so invest in bright lights and reflective gear. Country lanes around the North East can get very dark, so a strong front light (at least 600 lumens) and a flashing rear light are must-haves. Wider tyres and mudguards will make your ride smoother and cleaner, while regular chain cleaning will help your bike last longer through the grit and salt of winter.
DISCOVER THE NORTH EAST BY BIKE
Now you’re ready to get on the road. Why not explore some of the region’s best cycling routes? This walking and cycling map covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland, helping you plan everything from short scenic rides to all-day adventures.
You could take a coastal route along the North Tyneside seafront, spin through Kielder Forest or follow the River Wear Trail in Sunderland. Each path offers a different way to explore our region.
Need some inspiration for planning your next cycling day out? Here are some ideas.
ALL THE GEAR TO GET YOU ON YOUR BIKE
You don’t need to spend hundreds to spread some cycling joy this Christmas. Practical presents go a long way — think bright front and rear lights for those darker commutes, reflective accessories to boost visibility, or a sturdy pair of waterproof gloves.
Warm merino base layers, thermal socks and lightweight waterproof jackets are essentials for tackling North East winters. (We’ve found some great bargains below)
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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