Frequently Asked Questions 

• Do I have to join before I can take part in a walk or cycling?
• How often do you have walks?
• Do you go away for weekends as a walking or cycling group?
• Can I bring my dog along?
• What are the costs?
• How do you book and pay for the Sunday coach walk?
• Where does the coach pick up from for the Sunday walks?
• Are there any other bus walks?
• How are the walks and cycling graded?
• How do I join?
• What clothing and footwear do I need for your walks?
• What happens when I get on the coach?
• Are there toilet facilities on the coach?
• What and when are refreshments taken on a walk?
• What happens in bad weather?
• What about safety on the walks?
• Should I bring a first aid kit?
• Walkers Personal First Aid Kit
• Do you go away for weekends as a walking group?

 

Do I have to join before I can take part in a walk or cycling?

We would be delighted for you to take part in a walk or cycling as a guest before making a decision to join, but you must become a member thereafter. Membership is currently £5 per year, commencing from 1 April each year. Coach walks incur a charge of £10.00 per walk.

How often do you have walks?

Our programme runs all year with both Sunday and mid-week walks. To view our current programme click the Calendar and take a look at About Us.

Do you go away for weekends as a walking or cycling group?

We organise both weekends and full weeks away across the UK, e.g. Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Scotland, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire. Details of these events are shown in the Calendar.

There are also opportunities for UK and foreign activities, which are organised on an ad hoc basis and may not be reflected in the Calendar. Recent examples include walking The Coast to Coast, the Dales Way, the Santiago de Compostela and cycling in France and the Netherlands.

Can I bring a dog along?

Dogs are not permitted. Firstly coach operators rarely allow dogs or other animals on their coaches, and secondly, we often walk through farm land and other areas in which dogs are not permitted, even IF under control.

What are the costs?

The current cost of becoming a member of BOAC is £5, which is renewable annually on 1st April. You must also be a member of Boldon Community Association, for which a membership form can be obtained from the Community Association. For walks requiring car transport, each member is responsible making their own arrangements, including car sharing. Attendance at Sunday bus walks is currently £10 per member, per walk.

How do you book and pay for the Sunday coach walk?

Sunday bus walks need to booked and paid for in advance, bookings being made at the Boldon Community Association Centre Reception, New Road, Boldon or on the return coach of the month before. The cost is £10 per person per walk. The booking is non-refundable.

Where does the coach pick up from for the Sunday bus walks?

The coach leaves from the car park in the Boldon Community Association, New Road, Boldon.

Departure time is dependent on location of walks and the time of year, but it is usually 8am or 8.30am. Detailed departure times can be found in the Calendar. Coach return time is usually 5.00pm, but can be altered at the discretion of the Meet Secretary.

Are there any other bus walks?

No.

How are the walks and cycling graded?

We have several levels of walk (as set out below) to try and suit all levels of fitness, inclination and ability.

The Sunday bus walks provide for three walks of differing length and altitude climbed. The distances may at first look seem intimidating to those that have not previously done much walking. You must remember we cover these distances over a whole day’s walking, typically around five to six hours (excluding travelling time) with stops for morning coffee/tea, a picnic lunch and then afternoon snack, which breaks the day into four easier stages.

The walk leaders are trained to take into account the abilities of all walkers within a group and they will ensure the group as a whole walks at a speed that is comfortable to each person’s capacity.

Shorter walk      7 – 9 miles
Middle walk      10- 12 miles
Longer walk      12-14 miles

The Calendar shows the destination for each walk. In advance of the monthly walk greater detail about the routes, mileage and ascent will be posted online. During the Sunday coach journey details of each of the three routes to be walked that day will be circulated to those on the coach, with estimates of both mileage and feet of climbing involved. Each member is free to select the route they find most appealing.

The Sunday car walks are held on the last Sunday of the month and are usually more demanding with a length of 10-14 miles and usually involve slightly more climbing.

Mid-week walks are 8-9 miles and are designed to enable members of all abilities and levels of fitness to complete.

The cycling is usually between 25-35 miles in length and seeks to avoid any significant climbing. They therefore often take advantage of the extensive network of disused railways across the North East or designated cycle routes. The cycle rides are such that even those with limited recent cycling experience should be able to complete without great difficulty. Again refreshments are taken throughout the days cycling. Occasionally rides are organised with transport involved for linear rides or with over night stays for multi-day rides.

How do I join? 

Please contact our Membership Secretary by telephone on 07792 379269 who will answer any questions not covered by this Frequently Asked Questions page. You will be provided with a Membership Form and details of how to pay the £5 membership fee. WELCOME TO BOAC.

What clothing and footwear do I need for your walks?

All the items listed below can be obtained from any outdoor shop.
Essential items:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers.
• Suitable walking boots and socks.
• Warm layers of clothing to suit weather conditions. Thermal or fleece tops are very effective, together with gloves and hat.
• Rucksack
• Food & drink.

Optional items:

• Walking pole/s (good for balance and reducing stress on knees).
• Waterproof gaiters.
• Foldable insulating sit mat (for sitting on wet or cold ground).
• Additional warm clothing.
• Emergency survival bag.
• Maps (if you want to know where you’ve been and where you are going).
• Compass
• Whistle and torch (encouraged for safety reasons).
• First aid kit, including blister plasters or tape.

What happens when I get on the coach?

More information about the coach walks are included in some of the other FAQ topics. However, the following summarises what takes place on a typical Sunday bus walk:

• Route sheets detailing the walks that day will be circulated to those on the coach, with estimates of both mileage and feet of climb involved. Each member is free to select the route they find most appealing.
• The walk leaders of each route may leave the coach at differing points. The walk leader will announce which walk is leaving the coach.
• We encourage any new member to make themselves known to the walk leader, both for safety purposes, but also so you can be introduced to the others walking with you.
• On disembarking from the coach members should congregate with their respective walk leader to enable a head count to be taken prior to the walk starting.
• All routes will end at the same location (to be collected by the coach).
• The finish location provides the opportunity for refreshments (usually available at that location) and socialising.
• Coach departure point and time is announced on the coach, which is usually 5.00pm, although it can be amended at the discretion of the Meet Secretary.
• All members are individually responsible for returning to the coach for prompt departure.

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Are there toilet facilities on the coach?

Yes, there is usually a toilet on the bus. Organisers will attempt to find suitable toilet arrangements shortly before a walk starts or shortly thereafter. This is not always possible as it is location dependent. Once off the bus you should only depart for any toilets after letting the walk leader know so they can include you in any headcount.

What and when are refreshments taken during a walk?

Stops and the timing of stops are at the direction of the walk leader. It is usual to take a coffee/tea break soon after leaving the coach (usually about 11.00am) or late morning. There will then be further stops for lunch and a mid-afternoon “fruit” stop. Any other stops are at the discretion of the walk leader.

 

What happens in bad weather?

In the event of bad weather leaders will modify or terminate the walk if it is considered unsafe to continue as originally planned. If the conditions are considered temporary, shelter will be sought but this may not always be possible.

 

What about safety on the walks?

It is extremely rare that during any activity undertaken by the BOAC that a member has been injured or harmed. However safety both for themselves, and for others, is the responsibility of all individual members, who participate at their own risk. All members must come adequately prepared, with both their clothing and equipment suitable for the type of activity being undertaken, recognising their own level of fitness and health status. Please see the list of essential and optional items and the Club Rules.

You should always follow the instructions of the walk leader and should not leave the group without telling someone in the group (e.g. if you need to take a toilet stop). You should seek to always walk behind the walk leader. If this is not possible you should not lose sight of the group.

Should I bring a first aid kit?

It is up to each individual member to assess the inherent risk in undertaking any sporting or leisure activity. However in undertaking such activities each member must decide the risk associated with the activity and how they plan to mitigate or eliminate such risk. That includes the risk of accident or injury. We would recommend carrying a personal first aid kit.

 

Walkers Personal First Aid Kit

• Scissors
• Non adherent dressing e.g. Melolin
• Gloves (pair)
• Duct tape
• Wound dressings
• Bandage
• Blister plaster
• Foil blanket
• Microporous tape
• Wash proof Plasters
• Safety pins
• Triangular bandage
• Alcohol free wipes
• Eyewash/wounds pod
• Rehydration sachets
• Painkillers
• Energy gel