Shame the cafe in BS is no longer there. 🙁
How very odd re those mounting blocks!
Shame the cafe in BS is no longer there.
There's a cafe yurt* in Bransbury, which looked rather pleasant. Where the road out of BS meets the BW that runs SW towards Newton Stacey.
*obviously.
Oh God does it sell artisan produce? Would mtb'ers be banned? The cafe at BS never blinked an eyelid at the state of me when I just popped my head in to order, always sat outside though even in Winter.
Didn't go in!
The old garage in Stockers is doing great coffee/cake these days, in a very bike friendly environment. The courtyard outside is a delight on a sunny day! See also the garden at the back of T&T over the road.
lol
Good to hear that bikes are welcome in Stockers. 🙂 Was discussing with a roadie friend about cycle-friendly establishments whilst we were visiting a new garden centre in Weyhill. It isn't cycle-friendly at all. Another garden centre in the Vale of Pewsey was cycle-friendly but then changed hands with bikes now not being welcomed.
These are both popular areas with roadies so rather surprised.
I think those mounting blocks are related to the right of way that drops down and over to garage on the 303.
I was told, by someone who should know, that gaps in road barriers (like the one on the right of your pic Cap'n) are indicative of a right of way.
CG, the Bransbury Yurt is fine! Odd opening hours but very friendly!
No ROW by those barriers. On OS 1:50, the blocks are about in line with the word "motel".
Yup, there's nothing in the map but the blue sign that's just visible in your bottom pic Cap'n, I think that's a footpath sign (of sorts) dropping down to the 303.
Also, I think there are remnants of an old ROW though the area. The byway that ends a couple of hundred metres shy of the 303 to the NW. Follow the line of it and it hits the junction.
CG .- Rosewood or RoseBourne garden center?
UnderThe Wood - thanks! That's reassuring about The Yurt and may well investigate.
The footpath is signed to the Services, unfortunately I couldn't make out whether horses had used the strip alongside the barriers although it does look worn.
singletrackmind - Rosebourne GC and very nice it is too, it's rather upmarket so guessing they don't want cyclists. Has a food hall with butchery plus wines and local beers.
Talking of which - have you tried any gluten-free beer and, if so, is there any that's, er, palatable?
Why mounting blocks if it's near a [u]footpath[/u], as opposed to a [u]bridleway[/u]? (Again, nothing on the map, will need to ride past again and look properly.)
These are fairly new installations. Under ten years, I'd say looking at the wood.
It's odd.
Aha, I think I've got it!
I think they're for dismounting and crossing the bridge over the 303 safely. A horse could probably get spooked by all that fast noisy traffic underneath, and if you're on horseback, then that's a very low safety barrier and a long way to fall...
Having said that, I've no memory of blocks on the far side of the bridge. Will have to check.
That would make sense.
anyone got recomendations for farmshop/ cafe near shaftsbury? I thought we'd had a recomendation for donhead st mary / st andrew but i can't find it.
I think they're for dismounting and crossing the bridge over the 303 safely.
i'm going to agree - they also have them over the Mway bridge into lordswood; which i thought was very odd. makes a lot of sense now.
anyone got recomendations for farmshop/ cafe near shaftsbury?
Yep, there's one attached to Stourhead, the National Trust place. Owners lease the land from the NT. Was happy with their produce.
http://www.stourhead.com/shop/farmshop.html
Meant to have tried this one:
As some of you will know, I have recently been co-opted as the off-road cycling rep for the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum.
I'll be putting up anything useful I get from the forum in this thread:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/hampshire-countryside-access-forum?replies=2#post-8627311
I've written a little more about what the forum does in that thread so, if you've got any questions, requests or queries post in that thread.
Cheers,
Andy
[b]Hampshire Open Studios 19th-28th August 2017[/b]
An annual art trail where you can meet artists in their studios and galleries. The work of over 500 artists includes painting, ceramics and sculpture.
www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk
Anyone closer to Winchester than I am able to help a fellow rider out?
Not quite Hampshire, but I've just completed a catalogue of Saxon Churches in West Sussex.. on me CXer.. last two today, next stop.. East Sussex.
Not quite Hampshire, but I've just completed a catalogue of Saxon Churches in West Sussex.. on me CXer.. last two today, next stop.. East Sussex.
very interested in this - never quite find the routes into sussex. Any more locations/ strava?
I've been starting at Walderton, parking the car and riding from there .. and stopping at the Hare and Hounds at Stoughton for beer and food.. plenty of bridleways and tracks and restricted byways to knit together.
East Sussex looking more complex and less lanes, hoping when I do the research I'll find a lot of the bridleways are still in existence, a lot were farmed over during the war and never given back.
Wondering if anyone can pass on their wisdom, albeit I hope to leave before 1000 this morning...
Could I safely ride down Limekiln Lane from Butser on a road bike, to then head directly to Stroud, instead of descending down Harvesting Lane?
Sorry five minutes too late-but if I remember correctly the answer is no. I think lime kiln Lane is a eroded rutted chalky bridleway pretty steep in parts that even on a full suss MTB you have to pick your way down very carefully. Or maybe it's just my skills. Apologies if I've got the wrong lime kiln lane.
Yep just checked google maps. Lime kiln is the mtb downhill lane. Harvesting is the tarmaced road.
Cheers for that, I'm still pondering my route, had a feeling it might be dicey but I've yet to turn left at the top of the cat4 Harvesting climb. 🙂
Probably too late but yes, Lime Kiln is rutted. You can go down the SDW on a road bike though and turn right onto the Clanfield-East Meon road and then right again, which brings you out where Harvesting and Lime Kiln come out.
Ended up climbing Harvesting after climbing "River To top" and "Full Little Switzerland" yesterday, then on to christen Bat & Ball and finish my cat 3/4 fest with Wheely Down.
My legs certainly know that they did a new climbing PB yesterday! 😆
Anyone ridden Meon Valley Trail recently, to comment on trail conditions and if there is now more of a view to the sides after trees dropping their leaves?
Sad to report that Annie's, cake stop at Kimbridge, has closed. 🙁
However, in happier news, Piers Morgan switched on the Christmas lights in Stockers the other day. And nothing happened! 🙂
Do you mean the farm shop Cap'n?
Has anyone admitted to inviting PM for the switch on???
Sad to report that Annie's, cake stop at Kimbridge, has closed.
Well that's an arse. Doesn't Houghton Lodge have a slightly more developed offering now than the old honesty box? Haven't been on a road/mixed ride down there for a while, been driving mini B around a selection of Wessex's parks for cross season.
QECP is still dry, I've been trail running it and it's lovely.
nobodyofthegoat - can't help on Meon trail, but the Bat and Ball you mentioned 3 months ago - is that the on in Wrecclesham?
If so, where's this "little switzerland"? Sounds interesting!
The Bat n Ball is just out of Hambledon Village.. Can't miss it, it's on the corner and the old Cricket Ground is on the left. Or up from Clanfield.
Hyden Farm Ln, Clanfield, Hambledon, Waterlooville PO8 0UB
Little Switzerland is near Petersfield,Ashford Hangers Nature Reserve
Address: Cockshott Ln, Froxfield, Petersfield GU32 1
So, Petersfield locals... this Rogate Downwill that I keep seeing on Google Maps.. can you just turn up and ride?
Meon Valley Trail was mostly dry, except a few muddy puddles near Wickham, last Friday. Thick cushion of fallen leaves through most of its length. Fun ride, despite the cold, good test for the new thermal gear I received the day before!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1297908038
Bat & Ball climb https://www.strava.com/segments/3796525 , just west of Clanfield, another odd cat4 segment that even goes downhill before a steep finish! Only done it the once so far, partly because I like doing the "Round Butser" segment, but must get back over there again to try it with fresher legs than when I climbed it back in late August https://www.strava.com/activities/1156332100/overview
"Little Switzerland" is part of the ascent north of Petersfield, which includes at least one true cat3 climb (Bell Hill To The Top). Some say it doesn't live up to its name, but the cat3 segment is the one of the very limited true cat3s we have around Hampshire, albeit it is far kinder than the cat3s I climbed on the Wazoo a few weeks ago in the Mendips (Draycott Steep, that I only had time to descend because I was so far behind schedule, climbs 725 feet in 1.2 miles! 😯 ). https://www.strava.com/segments/626528
DezB -
So, Petersfield locals... this Rogate Downwill that I keep seeing on Google Maps.. can you just turn up and ride?
I can answer my own question - turn up, pay £5, and get your downhiller-thriller mode on. Tracks there are pretty amazing for such a small bit of hill in Hampshire! But if you're a tad more DH orientated than myself, you'd love it. Worth the trip. Jumps, drops, roots, whatever takes your fancy. Most of it rideable without being the descend only type, but more fun if you are. And pushing up is tough if you're not used to it!
Sad to report that Annie's, cake stop at Kimbridge, has closed
So hard for small businesses. 🙁 Wonder if anyone will take over, was rather disappointed to see that the selection of unusual gifts is no longer there either. Were they anything to do with the cafe? Quality of fruit and veg was a tad poor, do hope shop will survive.
Never underestimate the draw of a decent cafe.
Never underestimate the draw of a decent cafe.
Always was busy when I stopped, but I guess weekend traffic only isn't enough.
I like the Tea Cosy in Hurstbourne a lot but I have to take a child or two to justify stopping for tea after 20Km, it soon adds up 😀
Time to revive this handy Hampshire thread for 2018!
Anyone able to pass on first hand experience of the road conditions around Beacon, Old Winchester and Butser (Harvesting Lane mainly) in the last day or two?
How about the Meon Valley Trail?
Snow and slush from "Beast of the east reloaded" looks to be gone around Bitterne, albeit we had a frosty start this morning, but things could be still a bit dodgy at 600+ feet.
Would love to take the road bike for a spin up the cat4 hills, but after coming very close to a black ice "big off" on the Old Winchester Hill plateau just after Xmas when the ride had been completely safe until that point on CX tyres, part of me thinks play it safe and go up there on the Wazoo with the 252-stud Gravdals.
Just the other side around Chilgrove, Finchdean etc is ‘ok’ but there’s a fair bit of muck on the roads and plenty of extra potholes.
Just looking at something different for a night ride tomorrow and saw hen wood near East meon meon. Anybody been there?
I'm racking up miles for SDW in a day training so might take it in as part of a route.
Everything's drying out nicely round here.
Tangentionally related but picked this up on Facebook this morning from the South Central Ambulance Service:
Speltham Hill in Hambledon https://www.strava.com/segments/3557886
Finally got around to trying it last night, OMG, it's like riding half on the final steep bit of Harvesting Lane... Absolutely brutal (but fun 😉 ), especially after doing a few power intervals up other hills beforehand! 😮
Hi - Recently got a job in basingstoke, and wondering if there's a half decent off-road route from Chineham to Micheldever that I could follow.
Thanks
Depends which side of Basingrad you want to go. From Cliddesden there's a route that takes you south towards Preston Candover and then up and over heading west towards Micheldever.
I know there's routes the other side of Basingrad as someone I follow on Strava often rides over that way (Oakley/Overton sort of direction)
From Cliddesden there’s a route that takes you south towards Preston Candover and then up and over heading west towards Micheldever.
Yep. That's where I'd be heading. Nice lanes/tracks around there.
Gravel bike country, IMHO. I often ride through/around Micheldever, and it's lovely.
Anyone on this thread interested in doing the Evans Ride it event ? https://www.evanscycles.com/evans-cycles-hampshire-mtb-saturday-1st-december-2018-EV322827
I don't live that locally but work in Basingstoke and am keen to find a few routes for after work in the summer.
Hi New Forest riders
A group of us are thinking of getting the train to Brockenhurst from Wareham to do the "Grand Slam" gravel/road ride.
https://cycle-newforest.co.uk/cycle-routes/the-grand-slam/
Could you tell me:
Is this route rideable in the winter?
Is there enough/any signage to navigate the route or is a gpx download needed?
Any suggestions for a mid ride cuppa?
Thanks
In reply to captain flash heart..
Yeah I do it on my gravel bike as its my commute home 🙂
In reply to El Vino
I'll probably do the Ride It, but I already ride those routes.. 🙂
It’s a nice ride from Wareham to Brockenhurst, as long as the chain ferry is running!
Polite request: show us your Autumnal pics of Hampshire to remind me of what the countryside looks like. Thanks.
Just up the way from Flash Towers on Monday morning.
Thanks you CFH, very Autumnal indeed!
It's all very crunchy at the moment!
[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/31014070027_1160af05fb_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/31014070027_1160af05fb_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/PfBdvi ]IMG_0827[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/94816327@N08/ ]James Fabian[/url], on Flickr
Nice pics! always an exciting time of year to be riding sunken trails round me - inches deep in beech leaves and beech nuts, or Sweet chestnut leaves and casings. what's underneath? sticks? stones? roots? rocks? large, slick logs at an slight angle to the path? Dog eggs?
A few of my regular routes stray into Hampshire. Here's a couple from near Grayshott:
Starting to feel properly wintry out there in the past couple days. Roll on the other kind of crispy!
[img] 
[/img]
And as summer was particularly special, here's a couple from near Winchester in August
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
They grow on trees y'know
Jobro- yes that should all be rideable, just a bit puddley and maybe a bit soft in places. Proper gravel riding 😁. I'd definitely recommend a GPS device as the gravel tracks in the enclosures can look very similar and it's easy to take a wrong turn which generally ends in a bog.
There's a great cafe at South Gorley - Hockeys - about half way round, plus plenty of options in Lyndhurst. Although I'd be tempted by any of the pubs you'll pass
Also Jobro - as you're Wareham based- have you tried the Dorset Gravel Dash route? 100 miles so a big day out (or overnight bivvy) or you could cut off the blandford bit to shorten it, but a cracking ride and amazing views!
blimmin heck!
c_g, apologies, autumn and winter above are actually Surrey and W Sussex. Top one is taken from Hampshire, but is Hampshire's view of Surrey. 2 and 3 are both a stone's throw from Hampshire border. I was pretty sure they were both the right side, but no.
No pics today, but a nice bimble around Watership Down World. Lots of folk out and about on bikes, almost all with a cheery hello.
Nice bimble, but I've rarely felt so rubbish on a bike. Just couldn't get it together for some reason.
Home, shower, little snooze by the fire, a hearty roast and I'm all back to normal again!
On Sunday I did a loop from Whichurch, Crux Easton, Beacon Hill, Ladle Hill. and Watership Down. No long distance views, but quite pleasant. I was the old git on an orange Soul ! Thanks to the chap that pointed out a good bit of downhill, which I will do next time.
Whitchurch? Bandit country...!
😉
Some lovely riding around Binley if you're over that way often.
Yes , Coffee and mincepies at St.Mary Bourne shop, then up through Binley. You are not Spooner's friend are you Captain?
Don't think I know anyone called Spooner. Apart from the Reverend, of course!
@CaptainFlashheart ... and @Facian
Just up the way from Flash Towers on Monday morning.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">It’s all very crunchy at the moment!</span>
Whereabouts are those 2 places ... look absolutely lovely ... I did try googling Flash Towers to see if anything came up and couldn't find anything??
Is there much track like that / how far do go you and is it mainly flat or quite hilly???
If anybody around the Hampshire area has some nice rides they fancy sharing and having some others tag along with them ... ideally mainly quietish area's either quiet lanes or gravel rides and will happily take anyone who fancies coming with us around the Witterings, Bosham, Chichester area we normally do between 20 and 40 miles with a mix of gravel / quiet lanes and fairly flat although for the longer rides do take in some of the hills around the Goodwood area.
I did try googling Flash Towers to see if anything came up and couldn’t find anything??
😂 That pic was taken on the Harrow Way.
😂 That pic was taken on the Harrow Way.
Cheers for that ... just googled it and found a load more pics / map and looks amazing!!!
Looks like some of it may get quite boggy in the middle of winter.
Not that boggy, really. It's an ancient drove road, and drain very well as a result.
There's a load of that sort of BW/farm track riding around the area. Nothing gnar, so ideal gravel or ht territory. Decent pub just off the Harrow Way beyond Laverstoke as well!
so ideal gravel or ht territory
Sounds perfect ... I'm waiting for a phone call to say my 1st ever Gravel bike has been delivered into the LBS ... hopefully today if not tomorrow .... so looking for some new places to ride 🙂
@witterings I'm in Farnham, Surrey so right over on the Surrey/Hants border.
That picture was just taken in Alice Holt Forest which is nice because it's half a mile from my house and good for an hour or so bombing around, but not worth a trip from further afield!
I've only just built up this bike so I haven't really explored a lot more, but I rode the Shipwrights way in the summer on my hardtail and I'm keen to do that again on it. Likewise the Downs Link from Guildford down to the seaside, I'm sure you could get across to either of those part of the way along or ride them North to South and then make your way back home/somewhere sensible.
I'm also planning a lap of the Isle of Wight, a friend did a road-only lap recently but I'm sure a few bridleways could make that a bit more interesting.
The central 'spine' of the IoW is very nice - great views on a clear day in all directions.
Ha, you must be just round the corner from me Cap'n Flash! Not ridden much locally recently but hoping to get out once I get the 650b wheels & tyres on my gravel bike.
Harroway… Nothing gnar
Woah there! You've obviously not found the 'jumps' on the parallel bit of singletrack.. 😉
Oh, rest assured, I've found them!
😎
Don't often get the big bikes out around here, as my tarmac bike handles almost everything. Jack Mills loop, White Hill, Wayfarers Way etc, or a run through the woods to the local (rabbit habitat related name...!)
Came off the back of Winchester heading towards Exton and the always muddy bit at the bottom of the hill is now back for winter.
Time to break out the winter tyres...
James
Being a resident of Newbury I don't quite feel qualified to contribute to this thread, but I do dip into Hants fairly regularly when riding (bits of Wayfarer's, and stuff around Ashmansworth, Coombe, etc.). I'm looking to explore the Watership down area when the weather is better. CFH and wheelie - fancy sharing some of your routes? I can see there are lots of options for just throwing together the bits of bridleway and byway, but any tips on which way round some are best ridden, would be useful.
Combe Gibbets in Berks, Faustus - we gave it to you for sorting out the hanging that gave it its name!
Newbury is practically in Hants anyway, up by Wash Common.
QE Country park blue and red were quite muddy on Sunday, they have been pretty good up until Sunday
Still grippy, not pure slop just yet but muddy with puddles
Last section of the blue is still closed off for another week whilst the tabletop jump and new berms bed in
FFS.
https://road.cc/content/news/252784-police-appeal-after-car-passenger-pushes-hants-cyclist-bike
Faustus, what sort of routes/terrain are you after?
