Northern powerhouse
The rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire fills the air. I stop pedalling, my senses heightened by the sudden, unexpected sound of bullets. I stand motionless on the side of the road, my eyes nervously scanning the horizon for any sign of imminent danger. I knew that my route around Northumberland National Park would head through the Otterburn Ranges, but equally I had been reassured that there would be no military presence at my time of passing.
After a sustained silence I deem it safe to tentatively move forward, only mildly reassured by the lack of red flags, the Ministry of Defence’s signal that military training is taking place, yet still cautious and ready to drop to the ground at any moment. Ahead is the start of the controlled zone, and from a distance I can see the barrier is open – another sign that it’s safe to proceed.
This route will take me about as far north in England as it’s possible to go without crossing over into Scotland
Sure enough, as I approach the vast, rust-coloured steel barrier that would otherwise be blocking the road, I find it pushed back, paving the way for my safe
