Tynemouth has long been a landmark for cyclists - the place where journeys begin, end, or pass through on some of the UK’s most iconic cycle routes.
'Life's Adventure' is an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the view. PHOTO: courtesy of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative
To celebrate this, a new artwork by renowned North East sculptor Ray Lonsdale has been created through a collaboration between Destination North East England, North Tyneside Council, Visit Northumberland, Sustrans, and the North East Combined Authority. It offers a place to pause, reflect, and mark your adventure - whether you’re dipping your tyres at the end of the Coast to Coast or just stopping to take in the sea air.
On this page
Ride, rest and reflect
Perched on a grassy headland overlooking the North Sea, ‘Life’s Adventure’ is a striking steel sculpture by renowned North East artist Ray Lonsdale – the visionary behind some of the region’s most iconic pieces of public art.
It marks Tynemouth’s pivotal role as the start or finishing point of the iconic Sea to Sea (C2C) cycling route - where riders traditionally dip their tyres in the sea.
The 1.8 metre sculpture also celebrates the town’s role in several of the UK’s and Europe’s most celebrated cycle routes.
Designed as a landmark and rest stop, ‘Life’s Adventure’ invites cyclists and visitors to pause, reflect, and take in the view of the North Sea and the idyllic bay.
The steel sculpture includes a 1.8 metre high vintage bicycle. PHOTO: courtesy of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative
About the artist
Ray Lonsdale is a celebrated sculptor from the North East of England, known for powerful steel installations that blend emotion, storytelling, and history.
His works include The Herring Girl and Fiddler’s Green in North Shields, and the iconic Tommy statue in Seaham.
For this piece, Ray imagined a scene that serves both as a landmark and a personal moment of pause - a place for cyclists to catch their breath and reflect.
The sculpture incorporates a vintage bicycle and cut steel designs that give a nod to Tynemouth, the coast, and long-distance cycling.
Ray said: “As a cyclist myself, I am delighted to create a sculpture marking the end of the coast to coast routes.
“I wanted to try to make something that attracts interest and photo opportunities, and that relays a little of the history of the area.”
Ray is famous for large scale steel sculptures throughout the North East, such as 'Big Fella' in Silloth.
Artworks and art trails on the National Cycle Network
Community Collaboration
‘Life's Adventure’ was shaped by the ideas and creativity of the local community.
From drop-in events to creative writing workshops, residents, school groups, artists, and cyclists helped shape the final design.
Community engagement included:
- Workshops with groups including the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, Tynemouth Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Cullercoats Methodist Art Group, Linskill Scribblers, and Linskill Riders.
- A public drop-in session at the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Watch House Museum.
- An online survey aimed at residents and cyclists.
- Creative writing contributions, with a poem by the Linskill Scribblers engraved onto the sculpture.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey, shared their stories and inspired this monument to cycling.
e-bike Charging on the go
As part of a wider push for sustainable travel, new solar and wind-powered e-bike charging points are being installed across the region - many located along the National Cycle Network.
To find your nearest available charging point, register for free on the Intelligen live charger map.
Other e-bike chargers may be available across the region.
Please bring your own charging cable to use the network.
Find an e-bike charging station on the National Cycle Network
This section of Route 1 between Tynemouth to Whitley Bay now has a walking, wheeling and cycling route separated from the traffic. PHOTO: Mark Savage/Sustrans
Six routes converging in Tynemouth
- Sea to Sea (C2C) - Spanning 137 miles (220 km) from Whitehaven or Workington to Tynemouth, the C2C is one of the UK’s most popular challenge rides. Cyclists often mark the beginning or end by dipping their tyres in the North Sea, just metres from the sculpture site.
- National Cycle Network Route 1 - A major north–south route stretching from Dover to the Shetland Islands, NCN1 runs right through Tynemouth. Locally, it links the town with Whitley Bay, Sunderland, Durham, and further afield.
- The Reivers Route - This 173-mile (278 km) coast-to-coast ride begins or ends in Tynemouth and travels west to Whitehaven via Kielder Forest and the rolling hills of Northumberland and Cumbria.
- Coast & Castles Route - Running for approximately 200 miles (322 km), this spectacular ride follows the coastline from Newcastle to Edinburgh. It passes through Tynemouth and includes historic castles, beaches, and dramatic seascapes. Much of the route overlaps with NCN1.
- Hadrian’s Cycleway - Following the route of Hadrian’s Wall, this 174-mile (280 km) journey runs from Ravenglass to South Shields. While its official endpoint is Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend, it continues through North Tyneside and passes close to the sculpture site - connecting Roman history with modern-day active travel.
- EuroVelo 12 (North Sea Cycle Route) - Part of a continent-spanning cycle network, this route circles the North Sea through eight countries. Tynemouth is one of the UK’s most scenic stopping points, linking the local with the international.
Planning Your Visit
'Life's Adventure' is located off Pier Road in Tynemouth.
Get visitor information on seaside cafés and restaurants, local attractions and accommodation at Visit North Tyneside
Hadrian's Cycleway is one of six long distance routes that converge on Tynemouth. Photo: Vicki Deritis
Project Partners
We worked on this project thanks to the support of:
- North East Combined Authority
- North Tyneside Council
- Destination North East England
- NewcastleGateshead Initiative
- Visit Northumberland
It was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to enhance pride in place and create new opportunities by investing in communities, businesses, and skills.
