Hampshire Riding

Talking of Bluebells, yesterday in Botley wood we saw carpets of them and today at our 2nd choice ride of Wickham railway we saw loads again, stunning.

cheers for that cinnamon girl, I have seen tyre marks around there when waling but not seen anyone riding there. I think there is one of the hants council rides that starts near there which I keep meaning to do.

There is a gravel track that runs through there but it's off limits for a good reason - historical interest.

Itchen Wood is opposite and do suspect that there might be a little single track there, or it's footpaths! Be aware of the chalk though!

Yes, I think a ride does start from Micheldever Wood. I know that vicinity pretty well so just shout up with any questions. 🙂

is the food at the northbrook arms still good? 🙂

Not been there, sorry. Have stopped for coffee at the Woolpack in Totford, they didn't bat an eyelid at the state of me! Did sit outside though so as not to frighten their (wealthy) customers. 😀

I went to the northbrook after a particularly muddy stinging nettly ride and all they asked was that we left our shoes outside! this was about 6 years ago though...

That's fair enough really, if it was a Winter ride obviously!

It's a bit of a mixed bag in Hampshire, I found Wiltshire to be far more tolerant particularly when on my own. 😀

Hampshire is much better than north essex, One place I refuse to go however is the jolly farmer in cliddesden... not at all jolly, bloody rude in fact.... avoid if possible

Will avoid that one then!

[img][url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/13949970211_18a4dbf52b_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/13949970211_18a4dbf52b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= http://flic.kr/p/nfHf8M ] by -bikebouy-[/url][/img]

Ooohhhh epic ride today, truly epic. 78ks of Downs bouncing... I've got a great photo but flickrs being a bit of a shit at the moment, once they've recreated the world I'll upload it 😀

As for accessing Botley Woods,,there is/are a number of access points, maybe you should try to get in through Whiteley where the access is directly onto the fire road. You have to head in over J9 and directly over the roundabout with the Solent Hotel on it, (head towards Tescos) then as you approach the large offices on the right take the next right into the office roads and head right to the end, then turn left, park up. The road you are on is quiet and the trails you need are directly behind you, you will see a tree line with a Bridleway running down the middle (you have offices either side now) then I'd head north along it until you hit the trails that turn in towards the fire road, you can't miss it as there is a large gate across the fire road, head in, ride the trails, they are everywhere.

They need the access for the fire road because they still log it at the top of the hill and also the sub station in the valley needs access too.

HTH

Sounds a good day bikebouy. Just got back from Botley Wood again, rode from my house this time rather than drive. I have to say my full suss bike is shocking to ride on the road 🙂 I was right not to risk the kids on that section of road, will try out the Whitely option you mentioned. Someone needs to get down there with a chainsaw and get rid of the trees that have fallen across the trails, do you know if the forestry lot do much in there?

Well they do yes but only half of it, the other half is split between SW Electric and the farmer who owns the woods across the road, hence only their part gets cut when SEC need access (which you will see the mess they've created down there :roll:) the rest is part of Woodlands Trust & FComm. You will see they had a go at clearing the old part of the wood (over 200 yrs old) at the top of the hill, cut all but a few trees down to make way for re growth, but a few they left and guess what ?? Ohhh yes the first winds blew them down 🙄 its a good set of woods to play in, I've got some fairly defined routes through them now and only tend to hack through certain trails, but if you look around you will find quite a few good sections.
Try the Whiteley entrance, it's very near the Tesco/Whiteley shopping complex and very easy to get into..

If you go there Tuesday and Thursday nights you will find a group hacking through it, Meon MTB'ers (MTB club) and Fareham Wheelers (see Dave Palke who runs that part of the club) run through there quite regularly,

I'm around again next weekend if you want showing a route or two I do..

@johnj a pleasure to meet you, the Rocket looked great first one I've seen. Our ride turned out to be 3hrs and 30k and our route back to Warsash was quite dull, mostly gravel track or Tarmac. Will explore those woods a bit more but not sure it's worth the ride in/back so will explore parking options too. Will email you a map so you can see which bits we rode. Look forward to catching up again sometime and should have a suitable bike car in the next month.

John, how far do your kids ride, I can recommend somewhere near Liphook that's good for 5miles or more. No roads and my 4 year old loves it there.

Any good? If so will dig out the OS map and give you a grid ref for where to park.

John, how far do your kids ride, I can recommend somewhere near Liphook that's good for 5miles or more. No roads and my 4 year old loves it there.

Any good? If so will dig out the OS map and give you a grid ref for where to park.

@bikebouy thanks for the Botley woods suggestion by the way.

garage-dweller, hi. daughter is up to about 15 miles of flat bridleway and son about half that i would say. looking for something that will help them learn that not everything is flat and safe, so some single track and a few short hills, a bit of variety is what's required. Liphook is close enough as long as it's worth the drive, thank you. 🙂

Jambalaya - likewise, this weekend is looking good for a ride as rugby is off so if you want toy get out somewhere give me a shout.

bikebouy - would love a guided tour sometime, as above maybe we could meet up this weekend?

Schoolboy error! Didn't check the master calendar for this weekend. We have a wedding to go to, will be a good wedding so looking forward to it but it does damage my riding opportunities. Probably the only likely time free would be really early sat morning.

Very near to where I was at school. In a county abutting Hampshire in places. And I'm not telling.

Slight hijack, but on past post history I'm calling West Woods near Lockeridge. No need to deny or confirm of course 🙂

Is anybody doing the Houghton ride? trying to chivvy eldest son (8) into doing it in some form, whilst Mrs B does the run. Probably lock the other two in the car 🙂 Or maybe do the shortest route with tag a long and a metric ton of Haribo to keep the energy up.

did the cliddesden round last night, very slippery and muddy hour blast. very quiet but wildlife was abound... well over 30 deer, kites, buzzards, possibly ravens (bloody big, seriously big, crows if not) pheasants enough to fill a shooting season, plus heard one being dispatched then saw a fox with said pheasant hanging from its mouth wandered across the path just after putting my camera away (bugger). got swooped on by an owl too, not sure what sort apart from it being brown.
only saw one other person out all evening and that was just as I was finishing.

one for cinnamon girl...
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/14004440423_942fe84cd0.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/14004440423_942fe84cd0.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/nkwqen ]IMG_0836[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75575925@N08/ ]daftvader77[/url], on Flickr

just by the car park
[img][url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/13961351676_3e27a5ba5b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/13961351676_3e27a5ba5b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ngHzrW ]IMG_0843[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75575925@N08/ ]daftvader77[/url], on Flickr[/img]

not taken on the same day but in the same area...
[img][url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/14004477923_5f019582cd.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/14004477923_5f019582cd.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/nkwBnV ]IMG_0827[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75575925@N08/ ]daftvader77[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Thanks for those daftvader, bluebells are lovely. 8) I recognise pic 2 where you started from but not sure where the wood is, could be near the top of that nice track.

Did you see a herd of deer and what type?

We also have bluebells here in West Sussex (Hampshire is a mile down the road)... as well as some great views. Luckily my lad can cope with the hills as it's hard to find good riding for younger riders who want to progress beyond disused railways. The new Blue Trail at QE will be a good option once the climb is open.
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Some nice pics there, good to see people out riding. Heavens have opened again today and roads were filling up with water again. Hope it stops soon.

CG... you go left out of the school lane and turn right onto the first bridal way, left again at the end of the bridal way and you come to a permissive bridleway at the top of the disused railway embankment. follow that to almost he end and there is a steep right hander. this goes to the bottom of the first climb and the woods are at the top. most of the deer were roe, one heard must have been 20 strong, buggers bolted before I could get my camera out. saw a couple of muntjack too, thought they were dogs at first (forgot my contacts!) I am sure I also saw a sika deer, far too many points on the antler for roe, big too, just stood at the side of the trail where all the conservation ground is watched me then shot off like a bullet.

bartimaeus that looks cool, where is it?

another for cinnamon girl... this was taken just a couple of miles from where I live. one of the smallest groups I have seen, discounting singles and pairs. some of the heards have been well in excess of 20.

[img][url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5236/13982783301_29e88f42fe_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5236/13982783301_29e88f42fe_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/niBqjH ]IMG_0429 (2)[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75575925@N08/ ]daftvader77[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Sorry, everyone, but another day riding outside Hampshire for me today, at Afan (of which more anon).

Lovely local ride yesterday though and a bluebell pic to follow....

Well I've stuck to roadie'ing, you know me.

So over the last few days I've done the routes, home, West Meon, Old Winny Hill, East Meon, Privett, High Cross, Steep, Selbourne, Four Marks, Ropley, Cheriton, Dundridge, B Waltham, Botley, home ... So the eastern Hants cut through the centre, then today I did the western Hants, similar route up then turned left at Arelsford, Bighton, over to Winney, Twyford, Owlesbury. Upham, Botley and home again. All of this (except one small stint on an A road) was done on single track lanes except in Winney obvs.

I've seen some fab sights, but the highlight was the Peacocks up near West Tisted near the old Manor House.

I am very happy, I can return to London for a couple of days with aching legs.

😆

As happy as I am for you bikebouy i have to say I am a tad jealous 🙂

bartimaeus - great to see kids out riding!

daftvader - yes, I know where you mean. Normally come from the railway embankment and enjoy the descent to the minor road. Good to hear about the deer, there's plenty around Hampshire and certainly that area I've seen herds of fallow and small groups of roe. Not seen any muntjac so you were lucky. As regards sika, I've never seen any but they could have been fallow bucks. Their antlers are impressive - I have one in my lounge as an ornament. 😀

Jeez, I need to get off road! Last 3 rides have been on the cx enjoying minor roads.

Sounds as though bikebuoy has been touring the whole of Hampshire. 😯

Some bluebells from earlier in the week.

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^^ niiiiiiiyce ^^

I know Hants reayyyyylly well. I have some very defined training routes that I build fitness on and some rather random "what if I turn here" routes, but I know it well. One area I don't know that well though is the upper Test Valley. For some reason or other I've never ventured north of Winney, anyone know what it's like? Bare in mind I only ride single lanes or B roads, be nice to have an idea of a route or two.. even something like a sustrans route number or other..
Ta.

I hope no bluebells were hurt in the taking of that pic??? 😉

bikebuoy - The Northern Test Valley is brilliant for mtb (I know it well) but also good for road riding. You can climb up to Coombe Gibet which is next to the highest hill fort in Berkshire and indeed England. Wonderful ridge, stonking views, brilliant in all weathers.

Check this out for route ideas in the meantime, let me come back to you later with some specifics. 🙂

http://hampshirehilly.moonfruit.com/#/routes-for-2014/4584132545

bikebuoy - do you ever cross the A31? There's loads of good riding over Alresford/Candover Valley area.

As regards North of Winchester, there's loads of lanes around Sutton Scotney, Barton Stacey and you can head towards Wherwell which of course sits on the River Test. Crawley has a most interesting looking pub!

If you want hills then keep heading North!

Plenty of great single lane riding around Whitchurch, Kingsclere, etc. Get stuck in to your OS maps and get planning!

The Tour de France went through that thar Wherwell back in the day. Combe Gibbet used to fly my rc gliders up there back in the mid 70's - ouch ! I love this Hampshire thread.

@CFH have you got an aversion to mud, that bike is well fendered ?

Isn't always like that. Was set up ready for a cheeky day at Afan. Should really take the front one off. Can't fit anything on my fork and I like cutting out the spray on fast wet trails. Crud Catcher remains on regardless.

If you are comming in from the south there are some pretty nice road routes that can start from Winchester, through all the Worthy's, the candovers, round Basingstoke, back through Oakley, north Waltham, steventon and back to Winchester... potentially without any length of time on or crossing A roads... I know cos I did it last friday but from basingstoke instead, 50 miles, hoping that by the end of the summer I will be able to do a ton...

Are you in the Stoke, DV?

Yup.... amazingstoke 🙄 😆

Lucky you!

Never been deeper into the place than the Sainsburys at Hatch Warren.

Its better than where I grew up.....

There used to be a road sportive that started at highclere that had a nice route went through kingsclere and back up the upper test.

Hi all, sorry... a bit of a thread hijack here, but Hants riding related all the same.

Does anyone know what the Itchen way between Winch and Eastleigh is like after the flooding (or if its still flooded)? I work in Hedge End, live in Winch and would normally ride back via Fairoak-Colden Common-Twyford etc., but I can't get motivated anymore as its not a great road. So, I was thinking of riding it off-road on the cx bike on the Itchen Way, but need to know if this is a good idea, or possible. It'll be in the evening, so don't mind if I'm poaching a bit of footpath and I'll always stop for walkers etc.

Grateful for any thoughts, or if anyone knows an off-road route to get to Eastleigh from Hedge End (this really could be wishful thinking).

Cheers!

t

I work in Colden Common, and there's no sign of any flooding. Can't help with route advice I'm afraid as I live to far away to bike to work now 🙁

Never been deeper into the place than the Sainsburys at Hatch Warren.

Jambalaya, Berry's is a fine spot, I agree! Used their shop in London for as long as I can remember, so it's good to have them here as well!

I've used all sorts of mudguards in the past, with my fave being the bodged inner tube on the fork brace/arch format. Thing with these forks is that there's no way to get anything like that in to the gap between tyre and arch. Very low clearance, but as you can see (not my pic!) the top of the arch is full of holes, so mud clearance isn't an issue.
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[aside]
Berrys in Basingstoke is functional, none of the panelled history of the St James shop, quite a metaphor for donut city itself ! It is where all the bonded wine is kept I understand and most of the deliveries are done from there. Useful to have sat nav to find it as I've tried without a few times and you end up driving past on the dual carriageway wondering how to turn off
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Not sure a mucky-Nutz would fit on that fork as you say clearance is a bit fine.

Ohhh thanks for the tips and routes, I'm planning a long'un tomorrow up that way now.
I'm parking in Winney and will ride out of there and back. Should be good for 100klicks from looking at the OS's and tips you've given.

Most
Excellent

Ta. 😀

Bikebouy - Andover and north test valley now has sustrans route 246 going through it. It makes it's way to Newbury, but you can head to Ashmansworth and Faccombe and Coombe Gibbet like suggested by CG.

I'm a bit of an anorak regarding a 10 / 15 mile radius of Andover if you want know more having ridden round here and still not bored since 1988!!

I'm a bit of an anorak regarding a 10 / 15 mile radius of Andover

Plantations? 🙂

You need to be hard or stupid to ride in the plantations. A colleague at work spent two weeks in hospital after almost amputating his leg at the back of the deep hole (can't remember it's local name) last year, ended up with three plates and 15 pins and one leg 2cm shorter.

Is there a decent LBS in Farnborough? One that can install an in-line brake lever to some drop bars.

Bikeboy - enjoy tomorrow in the sun and please report back as to where you went. 🙂

I work in Andover but haven't heard of the plantations. Where are they?

Yay, I went!! I'll post the route laters, you've got some lovely countryside over there, all new to me and excited to see it.. Went through the Hangers, what a lovely place 😀

new route for me on Tuesday evening too.... Starting at four marks, only a little 10 miler but new trail. will let people know what its like. and if its not chucking it down will post some pics too....

Yes, please do chaps. Always interested to hear of new trails and routes. Thanks. 🙂

PS Didn't ride this weekend, diy beckoned. 🙁

cg, its out of the Hampshire councils cycle trails map pack. am a complete convert to owning a garmin!!
no riding for me either, I was at a works do in Brighton... too much drink and no riding. that said looking at the surrounding countryside down there it looks like there should be some cracking trails

No riding for me either. Wedding all day and all night saturday and didn't get home until this afternoon. Next weekend for sure

The weather perked up about 5 today so I got changed to get out for a cheeky spin, went to get the bike at which point the heavens opened for 30 minutes, so I retreated 😥

Daftvader, is that north from Fourmarks towards Bentworth/Wields?

HNR, thats the one...

Johnj2000,

The plantations are at the top of Old Winton Road on the ROW. Pass under the A303 heading towards the Hampshire golf club and they are on the left. Good Luck

The plantations are at the top of Old Winton Road on the ROW. Pass under the A303 heading towards the Hampshire golf club and they are on the left. Good Luck

Luck doesn't enter in to it! I also wiped out in the bottom of one of the big bombholes many years ago. Silly place to ride, really! Last time I passed through, en route to a rather good lunch in the Clatfords last summer, it was full of persons of a certain type on mini motoX bikes....

Everywhere is bogs and fallen trees at the moment. Can't wait for it to dry up a bit.

We'll I did the Shipwrights Way yesterday, I really enjoyed it.

@ Bikebouy - I'm looking to do this later in the year - did you find it all CX bike friendly? It's going to be my first long ride on a CX bike with 34/27 as the lowest gear and I was wondering how hilly it is?

I live in Farnham and have done the section out towards Bordon a few times on my MTB but no further than that - did you road ride from Bordon to Liphook or is the whole route now complete?

Thanks for any advice...

Last time I passed through, en route to a rather good lunch in the Clatfords last summer, it was full of persons of a certain type on mini motoX bikes....

mlpinto - Member

We'll I did the Shipwrights Way yesterday, I really enjoyed it.

@ Bikebouy - I'm looking to do this later in the year - did you find it all CX bike friendly? It's going to be my first long ride on a CX bike with 34/27 as the lowest gear and I was wondering how hilly it is?

I live in Farnham and have done the section out towards Bordon a few times on my MTB but no further than that - did you road ride from Bordon to Liphook or is the whole route now complete?

Thanks for any advice...

It's now mostly (nearly all except a couple of very small sections, 100-200mtrs of road)off road/gravel and Bridleway. It's so easy to follow, there are lots of signs and you can't go wrong TBH. I used my CX and it was perfect for it, best bike for it TBH.
I used the maps off the website (it's got it's own site now) and followed the very rudimentary guide, it really is that simple.
I looked on it as a flight home South, got the Mrs to drop me off in Bordon and headed a few mins from the station. The best bits are it's very quiet, no one knows it's there yet, a couple of sections you can see where Horse riders have been but then why wouldn't they.
The only hilly bits are near Liphook and QECP, rest is rolling countryside.
I'm going to do it again with a mate whose keen to see rural south Surrey/Hants, this is perfect.

Only thing I'd say is how are you getting home? The route stops a Portsmouth where the train station is, so easy to head back up on the train.

Well worth doing IMO.

@bikebouy - thanks for the info

I live on the Solent Way and wrote a [url= http://www.farawayvisions.com/pedalling-the-solent-way/ ]wee story[/url] about one of my trips over on my blog. I'm putting my bike back together after a trip to Ireland so not riding today. It's really pretty and most of the mud can be avoided.

farawayvisions I live on the Solent Way also 🙂 near Calshot. Where are you?

I've been riding the road bike way too much lately!

@bikebouy - great info, thanks.

I shall have a look at the website and will grab the maps from there.

My plan to get home was to hop on the train at Portsmouth as you suggest - I'll either get a train back to Haslemere and ride home, if the legs feel okay, or maybe to Guildford if my other half can collect me from there.

Just need to find a weekend when my wife can occupy the kids for the day now...

cg, its out of the Hampshire councils cycle trails map pack.

Done that yonks ago and can't really remember much. Do let us know how you find it! Those route maps are excellent from HCC - they encouraged me to get out into the countryside when I first got an mtb.

Kept meaning to explore more of Chawton Woods, there used to be races there apparently.

@Soma_Rich I Live near Hamble and Netley Abbey. Opposite side of Southampton Water.

Good stuff bikebuoy - has there been much surfacing work done on the off-road parts of the Shipwright's Way, or is it the pot luck variety of surfaces you would expect from bridleways and byways?

At some point I'm hoping to try a circular route of Shipwright's Way, SDW, Downs Link and NDW, not everyone's cup of tea but will keep me busy 🙂

mlpinto - Member
@bikebouy - great info, thanks.

I shall have a look at the website and will grab the maps from there.

My plan to get home was to hop on the train at Portsmouth as you suggest - I'll either get a train back to Haslemere and ride home, if the legs feel okay, or maybe to Guildford if my other half can collect me from there.

Just need to find a weekend when my wife can occupy the kids for the day now...

URL for you, be prepared for the rudimentary maps.. 😆
[url= http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/countryside-development/shipwrightsway ]Shipwrights Way[/url][

FCOL we've a C*s*a coffee place opening in my little town. 😯 Will the middle-class Waitrose shoppers flock or is the draw of free coffee too strong?

Gosh I need to ride my bike. 😀

Who's riding where then this Bank Holiday?

I am hoping to get out at least twice probably once along the sdw and then a mess around at QECP. Anyone else out and about?

Yup me, cancelled Essex (Blackwater) bash cancelled by my mates (gits) means I'm back home again 😀

That'll mean tip tap,top of my dancing shoes over the Downs again, ohhh life's sooo hard these days 😆