Tees Valley: Home to the East Coast’s Adventure Playground

With stunning coastline and the Cleveland Hills, Tees Valley is gaining a burgeoning reputation as an adventure-filled gem for cycling – and its star is rising fast.

Emma Stoney and Katie Fitzgerald-Gill are the dynamic duo behind Pretty Gritty – a Leeds-based company bringing high-quality sports apparel to women in the UK and beyond.

Pretty Gritty also hosts retreats and camps for women who want to enjoy yoga, trail walking, swimming and mountain biking.

And the pair have regularly hosted retreats in the Tees Valley, drawn by its varied landscapes, routes and facilities, particularly for those on two wheels. 

Emma said: “We’ve done road biking camps and mountain biking camps. The ones we’ve done in Guisborough really lend themselves to mountain biking. 

“You are spoilt – there are some lovely places to cycle, and not many people have discovered it yet.” 

From Sauna in Saltburn to routes from Guisborough Town Hall towards the East Coast and Cleveland Way, the retreats have proven popular.

“People don’t realise how beautiful the area is,” Emma added. 

“Guisborough is a stone’s throw from getting to the coast. We go to Skinningrove and Saltburn to dip which works very nicely. From Guisborough, there’s a real variety of forest trails – Guisborough Forest is brilliant for people new to mountain biking. 

“But if you want to do more, we’ve used downhill sections, too. From the forest, you can link into beautiful moorland and circular routes, with miles of brilliant mountain bike trails winding back down to the coast.”

Pretty Gritty retreats are suitable for most skill-levels – and the events have seen those taking part grow to relish the challenge our area can bring.

“They definitely get a flavour of adventure when they come with us – they leave with lasting memories,” added Emma.

“They’ve tried something they probably haven’t before and come away thinking it was good – and they want to do it again. 

“For people who haven’t been to the area before, there is so much variety, which is perfect. I’d describe it as a perfect adventure playground.

“The whole area around Guisborough, the Forest and the coastline provides a ready-made package for somebody who enjoys the outdoors.”

Check out Pretty Gritty here.