Hampshire Riding

One of my favourite Tuesday night rides that bit CG.

Particularly fun in the dark.

My description would be start at the gravel path at CH where the water tank is, head down the hill and about half a mile is on the left there is a BW, think there is a finger post or maybe jsut a stumpy post with a blue BW square. That goes down to the tree line and turns right then follow that up a steep hill after a steel portacabin (shooting lodge) past another water tanker, down and up, down and up to the road. Straight over there then follow the BW but look out for a left turn and take that and pedal for all your worth and enjoy the ride..

Then at the end turn right, go over the A272 and follow the road round to Upham for a pint of Punter in the Brushmakers arms....

i'll be there tonight 🙂

Having just sat down with my os map and a pencil, it's suddenly dawned on me where that was- I think a long time ago you did a group ride and I nabbed some of the route to explore, lovely bit of track - tailed an owl flying down it once.

In return I'll post some dh style trails that some of you might have not had a play on, they're in military training land 'danger areas' so check for the red flags before going

[b]503275[/b] head n
Follow trail across field to tree line head right heading along field edge to right and wooded area to left

Approx [b]506276[/b] there will be an obvious chalk ramp up and over the fence. The trail starts in the copse to your right and terminates back on the bridle way you were originally on. There's a couple of options on way down and nothing harder than you'd find at qecp, just shorter.

I've not been for about 3 months but I did a bit of trail clearance then and apart from them being chalk they're good to ride.

Test valley tour this weekend, what are the conditions like in collingbourne woods at the moment. I still using trail rakers on the hard tail and as I'm local to the route so I'm assuming the woods are a little sticky too. Would like to get the full sus out but it has summer rubber that's prone to clogging.

I was in Collingbourne on Sunday, I didn't do any of the singletrack but the bridleway was very wet and there is more rain predicted for Saturday. With the logging in the top of the woods and the windfall in the bottom I don't suppose this year will see it at its best. I would still be riding it but the date clashes with the Durrington triathlon my wife is in.

Does this help?
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Got out along the Harroway to Basingstoke and back this evening.. things are starting to dry up a bit!

Had a bit of an explore of Bull's Bushes Copse - some nice bits of singletrack (bet they're great in the dry!), didn't fancy the 'dirt' jumps though!

Anyone regularily leave their bikes at Farnborough Main? you reckon it'd be reet over a weekend??

Anyone regularily leave their bikes at Farnborough Main? you reckon it'd be reet over a weekend??

I wouldn't risk it. Plenty of thefts from there unfortunately.

safer at Waterloo you think? safety in numbers?

No idea about Waterloo, sorry.

What sort of bike are you talking about? A non-descript commuter well locked-up will probably be ok at Farnborough unless you are unlucky (my cheap Pinnacle hybrid has been for the past year or so, but that's Mon-Fri).

But if it's anything nice, I wouldn't. Found a girl searching folornly for her bike a couple of months ago, couldn't do much to help her except make sure she had an alternative method of getting home safely.

Likewise a poorly secured bike, even if it is plainly an ancient wreck (like my Dawes MTB, which probably injured whoever stole it from the station).

Judging by the number of police information leaflets, notices, frame-stamping campaigns etc at Farnborough station, its clearly a big problem there.

Lots of bikes left at Waterloo, lock-up areas inside and on the platforms (safer I suppose). Most bikes I see there are pretty cheap and nasty though.

its an aging but pristine cannondale road bike, with a few shiny new bits and fresh wheels so have decided against it...ive managed to lend it to someone at work for the weekend. found an article where some bloke lost two bikes in week at Fboro main! and he snapped the lock key for a third bike one day so turned up with an angle grinder to free it - says nobody batted an eyelid!

Well I'm not at home again this weekend so have fun in the Downs you lot.

I'm hacking the Nocturne in London then off to do Raphas "Hell of the North" on Sunday..

Woooflippinhooo

And MrsBouys away for a whole week too! Yay!!! 😆

I predict a week of beer and curry rehab

Test valley tour this weekend, what are the conditions like in collingbourne woods at the moment

It's a mudfest. Logging ops earlier this on the usual route meant most of it resembled a skate park once it'd dried out. It'll be wet now!

I got around OK on Racing Ralphs Wednesday evening, but it was still very wet all around the area.

Still at least the rain will have cleaned up what the flooding left behind on the barbecue/parking field 🙂

Well that rain will certainly have returned various wooded areas to the mess that they were a few months ago. Let's hope it all drys up quickly, I want to get the darn mudguards off the bike once and for all.

Went for a pootle down wickham railway and into Bere Forest this afternoon with my daughter. I was amazed how muddy it was, went out in my non riding denim shorts ( hot pant style obv) and my new Morvello tshirt stayed reasonably clean due to mudguards until trying to load bikes back onto car and got the new shirt filthy 🙁 when will it all dry out??

Ooooooh, getting behind!

Steelsreal - spot on. 🙂
Lummox - yes, we did that section on an excellent Forum ride.
HantsNightRider - yes, thank you. 8)

Excellent ride today but, blimey, it was really muddy in places. 😐

Spent a good part of the day sorting the garden out and doing tip runs. The boy decided he wanted to help and was so funny as he spent all his time telling me about the value of hard work etc etc and how good we would feel when we had finished all this hard work 🙂

Persuaded the family to join me at QECP late afternoon and I had a couple of runs down the section of th red which hasn't been destroyed by the logging activity. Still really muddy in places unfortunately but enough dry sections to get some speed up and have some fun 🙂

Just been out for a gentle 10 miler with mrsvader... first time she has been out on her bike in over a year... she is already feeling it in her leg muscles 😈

The rocket is being dropped off at the bike shop tonight to have its new dropper seat post fitted! Exciting times:-)

@john back in time for the weekend ? I should be riding Saturday and up for a quick trip to QECP, early is OK.

I had a quick spin on Sunday, actually quite fun in/around woods near Netley. I do think I need to get out more as I was quite easily pleased, anything remotely downhill was a joy. Strange mix of mud and suffering from the heat.

Does anyone know any good bits around Lyndhurst way? Is there anything other than boring bridleways?

Plython, I think you are close to Moors Valley so you have a single track section I. There which is twisty and fun if you give it some we'll but almost totally flat. There is the skills area there as well which has a load of berms and jumps with some north shore, that's a bit more fun. Other than that I am afraid I don't know anywhere else sorry.

Jambalaya- yes will pick it up Friday evening or Saturday morning depending on what time I get home from Brum. If I am home to pick it up Friday evening then I am available sat am early. Failing that I am free sat evening and Sunday am and evening.

Plython, I think you are close to Moors Valley so you have a single track section I. There which is twisty and fun if you give it some we'll but almost totally flat. There is the skills area there as well which has a load of berms and jumps with some north shore, that's a bit more fun. Other than that I am afraid I don't know anywhere else sorry.

Yes you are right, i've ridden both a few times, but it's a 20 min drive from where I live. Lyndhurst is a short cycle away which is great to get out for all day XC rides but it's all so flat and boring!

Lordswood up the road is good fun, but again about a 20 minute drive.

Hey guys now I've moved to Hampshire I can start exploring. Is there any single track west of winchester? I found Farley mount but all I could find was boggy bridle ways not really what I had in mind! Am I missing some hidden trials?

Welcome to Hampshire! There used to be a little fun descent off Beacon Hill which is to the W of Farley Mount. Haven't been there for donkeys though.

If you want single track then QEP is your best bit.

Thanks CG ill pop out and explore later

beesey - check out the map posted at the top. Although it's not single track there's some fun trails with a great descent through the woods.

beesey, the descent off Beacon Hill is I think the one on [url= http://app.strava.com/activities/123348858 ]this ride[/url]... it's the only time I've ridden Farley Mount, but that bit down the Clarendon Way, and then the climb back up were really good.

For other info on East Hants and West Sussex riding check out [url= http://kingleyvalemountainbikers.ning.com/ ]Kingley Vale Mountain Bikers and the QECP Trail Collective[/url].

There's loadsa singletrack round Lyndhurst, more pedally and trialsy than gravity assisted though. Oh and it'll all be cheeky. Still better than trying to get in and out of there in a car at the weekend.

These are very good for xc riding but don't expect much waymarking:

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/cycling/cycle-trails.htm

Kimbridge Farm Shop - is it any good? Importantly do they sell home-made steak pies?

Any other good farm shops that I need to know about?

Thanks. 🙂

frogstomp, The Harrow Way is local for me, too. Where are you based?

CG, for farm shops, try Jody's place at Laverstoke. Hmmmmmm, buffalo! For steak pies, have a look in the fridges at Robinson's in Stockers. Had one from T&T the other day which wasn't up to the standard of the rest of their lovely stuff.

Also, news for CG and others around these parts - The Bullington Cross wind farm plans have been rejected. Wooooooo!

Found the bit of singletrack you posted CG was a nice little ride followed by a pub lunch in owslebury. Bought an OS map today to make exploring a bit easier.

The [url= http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#14/-1.24292/51.03246/gray/bike ]Strava Global Heatmap [/url]is quite useful for spotting trails... or at least it was when the Veloviewer OS map overlay was working. One other useful tool, if you ride with a GPS, is the [url= http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/ ]Strava Flyby viewer[/url], which allows you to see everyone (on Strava) who you bumped into on your ride - and where they went... it's a little bit like 'cyberstalking', but it can be useful. And of course if you have a local Strava Club you can share routes/rides with other people.

Cap'n - yes, excellent news that wind farms have been rejected. 😀 Re pies - the last two I've had from Laverstoke have contained bits of gristle. I thought that only happened in Gregg's. 😉

Will check out Stockbridge butcher. Used to have quite a selection of farm shops in Wiltshire and was spoilt for choice.

beesey - glad you enjoyed that trail! You'll see on the map that there's loads of rights of way and will give you an idea of the terrain of the Hampshire County Council routes.

[quote=CaptainFlashheart]frogstomp, The Harrow Way is local for me, too. Where are you based?

I'm just outside of Whitchurch - you? We normally try and get out for a local ride on Thursdays if you're interested, although not sure about this week with Mayhem prep etc.

Anyone know what conditions around Bentworth/Elisfield/farleigh wallop are like at the moment.

Thinking of a night time ride out in that direction tonight, not been out that way for a good 9 months

thanks in advance

HantsNightRider.

There's loadsa singletrack round Lyndhurst, more pedally and trialsy than gravity assisted though. Oh and it'll all be cheeky. Still better than trying to get in and out of there in a car at the weekend.

Thats ideal - any idea where to start looking?

[b]Chawton Park Wood[/b]- not been there for donkeys but seem to remember some single track. Is it still there and easy to follow? Thanks.

I know Chawton Park Wood quite well, and for a period of 10 years or so, would ride in them at least once a week, although since moving from Alton my visits are probably once or twice a month now. Took daftvader round there a month or so ago, good ride it was too 🙂

There's a reasonable amount of single track and cheeky trails, some less obvious than others and since the winter storms, some have some new and as yet indistinct diversions. generally, when you spot a cheeky trail off one of the main paths, it will be worth heading off and following it. You won't get lost!

If you follow a north-ish direction, you can link up with Bushey Leaze woods, just outside of Alton, by a trail opposite the Jubilee playing fields at their southernmost, , 'Sleazy Bushes' are slightly smaller than CPW, but again, quite a few trails to have fun on.

Excellent info, thanks slackalice. 8)

Frogstomp, am just a little bit upstream of you, then! Difficult arranging rides around work and v young family, but will keep an eye out! What do you ride? Spesh Enduro is my usual gnarpoon.

I chickened out of map reading tonight and went for a blat round swinley. Mighty fun it was too, even got my first 2 wheel drift of the year too... I'm so hardcore 😆
Is anyone other than slackalice interested in a midweek mincers trip to Afan on the. 9th of July?

Hi all, this is being written on board the Eurostar on which I have just purchased and consumed probably the worst pizza in the world. I may be ill later!

On Sunday I was eventually given a pass out mid afternoon for a quick play at QE, sorry BS :-(. Met a chap who pointed me in the direction of some new trails built for a recent race. Didn't have the time to investigate on Sunday so I went back Monday night to have a look around and found that they were quite fun. The two routes I found both had drop offs that I bottled but apart from that I strayed in and came out unscathed.

The downside of the new trails is that they spit you out right at the lowest point of QECP and the only way home is up! Legs were killing me the following day, need to get one of those electric bikes 🙂

Buy your food at the M&S and take it on the train. Ditto in Paris for the return, buy something at the Boulongerie. The Eurostar is ok for cold beer though ! I'm on the 8am on Saturday.

Earn those turns John 8) I look forward to being shown them sometime.

[quote=Captain Flashheart]What do you ride?

Normally a Scott Scale or Salsa Spearfish round here...

Will keep an eye out! Still learning the local trails here, having moved in November.

Arse. Off the bike for another 2 weeks whilst steroid jab takes effect. 😡

johnj2000 - next time you get a pass out, post up and I'll show you the 'fun' stuff. I'm only a few minutes ride from QE

Whats Hampshire riding like at the moment?

I've not been down for a few weeks and I'm missing it 😕

Has it dried up a bit down on the Hamble? or up in the Downs? Or what are the lanes like ?

Gotta get back home soon before I become a shivering wreck 😆

@bikebouy it was a bit soggy in the usual places (eg on bw between Hamble and Burseldon) but generally dry and running ok (standard Hamble/Manor Park loop). Biting insects where out in force mind.

Hi Mork will probably be there sat and sun morning or possibly sun evening. Any good?

xc riding is shockingly overgrown, full body cover is the order of the day. Been fighting my way through tracks, even ones such as Stephen's Castle Down that I thought was well used.

Use 'em or lose 'em!

check last week on a ride behind Dummer and the Candovers I got torn to shreds... Was thinking of getting some kind of shin protection. Is there anything out there that is light and scratch resistant rather than designed for impact??

Years ago I had some orienteering bramble bashing shin pads that were ideal protection against brambles. Not sure if they're still available. Not body armour in the normal bike sense, just a really simple shield against thorns.

@daftvader, football shin pads - you can get some which don't need long socks. Take some secateurs and trim the brambles. I seem to suffer worse on the forearms and agree that the "alpine" body armour is a bit over the top.

Night ride earlier in the week felt like pedaling lengthways through the middle of a hedge. the brambles and stingers are on the attack!!

check last week on a ride behind Dummer and the Candovers I got torn to shreds...

Oh dear, looks like I'm going to get shredded at Sunday's Trailtrax then! Still, rather that than a mudbath 🙂

CF do bramble bashers work on a bike then? Not got any myself but seen them at foot orienteering events, I'm sure they are still available to buy.

These 'bramble bashers' - years ago I bought some shin protection and *(I think* they were from CRC who don't seem to sell them now. Very lightweight.

I wear knee length socks and the bamboo ones are so comfy and not at all sweaty. In addition I wear knee warmers. Only wear long sleeved tops but at least I can roll up the sleeves. A fright? Oh yes. 😆

Reckon the trails are the most overgrown I've ever seen and that's going back donkey's years.

What's disappointing is that the horses don't seem to be flattening the growth, perhaps it's too hot for them to come out!

Didn't wake up earlier enough to go to QE this morning so just did a bridle way out and back. I feel like someone has flayed me with nettles and brambles then sprayed me with a coating of glue and stuck every manner if insects all over me! It's dangerous out there!

Tbf it's not so much the brambles as the grasses and the sticky weed which is just vicious.... However just found [url= http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/25193/Scratch_Guardz_Windstopper_Shin_Guards ]these[/url] at winstanleys.... May be worth a go.

Just checked and it's Scratch Guardz that I have. Actually, football socks would do the trick and they'll be less sweaty. Again, I must sing the praises of bamboo socks. 😀

Jeez! Nettles, brambles, long grass, lightweight protection!! What a bunch of southern softies!! 😉

A bit of Histamine in your system will do you the world of good and as for scratches from brambles and long grass, wear them as badges of honour, rites of passage yadda yadda!! 😉

Spring 2001 was the last time I remember there being so much abundant growth in plant form, following another very wet winter and spring.

I quite like the post-ride tingling forearms and shins, although not so keen on the brambles that seem to behave like Triffids that wrap themselves around limbs and particularly the inside of the elbow.

Thanks for the link DV! 😉

It's the feeling of having lightly filleted shins I didn't like slackalice!!! 😆
And I guess I'd better order myself some before you lot buy them all 😉

Hope everyone had a better day than me. 😀

Rubbish ride, sick of fighting my way through assorted high yield whatever it was growing, couldn't navigate for toffee and had left gps at home.

Only one thing for it - abort ride and go to the pub! So tempted by the beer on offer but, in the end, plumped for a pot of tea. 😳

On the positive side though, very impressed with my new 5:10s that are so better suited to Summer. 8)

How did you guys get on?

Still no riding for me... Washed and polished the car instead of 😥

Bad luck daftvader. How much longer?

Week before the road bike and 2 before mountain bike.... Ish!!!

Hang in there, not long!

Squeezed in a brief local spin earlier, between parenting duties, then home in time for a nice spot of lunch.

[img] [/img]

Which was nice.

😀

Weeeeellllll I span out on another Hell of the North route, yesterday's was the 2014 which I did the opposite way, today I did the 2012 version the right way.
Sunny as a sunny hot dry day in another country, loads of folks on bikes, some sexier than mine (which is impossible 😆 ) and some rather fetching Female varieties stretching their legs too, to which it took me 4ks following them until I had to turn left to follow my route, shame, lovely view 8)

Cheers cg... I'd only just got my fitness back from the last break after getting more of my tattoo done... Ho hum... Hopefully this cortisone jab will be the last of the long line of crap I've put up with on my wrist...

I thought I'd offer it up here.... I'm off to BPW with another local riding buddy on the 6th July

We've got uplift booked, and the 'third' person can't make it now.

They've not paid me for the ticket, so if anyone here wants to come with us (there's room in the car for another person & bike leaving from Clanfield / Horndean area) and wants to give me £30 you'd be more than welcome!

Sounds like a fine way to spend a day Mork, thanks for the invite. Personally I will be tied to a desk all day but feel free to enjoy yourself while the rest of us slave away 🙂

Hang on! July 6th is a Sunday not Monday hmmmm
M I need to consider this further and talk to the boss.

Bottled it again tonight, just can't get the nerve up to ride off.
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Ha funnily enough I rode off that this afternoon, you weren't the chap with the norco were you?