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At the weekend I rode the Wessex Ridgeway (cycling) route [url= http://phased.co.uk/the-wessex-ridgeway/ ](ride report here)[/url] it was not the greatest experience ever as the trails were so overgrown and some just did not exist.
I'm looking for other stuff to do over a weekend that isn't the South Downs Way or the Ridgeway. Anyone got anything mildly epic to share?
i've done the ridgeway - on a singlespeed. i wan't everyone to do it so that i don't have to be alone in my suffering. i don't remember it being overgrown though.
what about the wessex way
http://mbruk.co.uk/mbruk_WessexWay_details.htm
Well there's the [url= http://www3.hants.gov.uk/shipwrightsway/shipwrightsway-route.htm ]Shipwright's Way[/url] from just outside Farnham to Portsmouth, and the [url= http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=31952 ]Downs Link[/url] from Guildford to Shoreham.
Both around the 50 mile mark, neither are terribly exciting on their own (the Downs Link is mainly disused railway line), but you can link them up with other stuff.
A couple of weeks ago I did a big loop consisting of the Shipwright's Way as far south as QE Park, then the SDW east to Botolphs, Downs Link north to Guildford and then NDW back to the start. Worked out about 120 miles in total, was a pretty big day out in the end!
I reckon that was part of the Wessex Way long distance footpath .. I have a book (Marlborough to Lyme regis in it's entirety) so not 100% surprised.
Good write up though, I love a bit of schadenfreude 🙂
Reading to Avonmouth via K&A canal, maybe a few hilly detours for variety?
Test Way - Combe Gibbett to Southampton (though I think it'll suffer the same issues in places at least .. mainly footpath, but use as a guide)
Devon C2C - Lynton to Start Point - I was going to do it this summer, maybe if theres a good September and I sort out my alternate bike, not sure a Ti 456 is ideal for luggage.
This might be worth a try, and might have some decent hills, but still the prospect of overgrown areas, some is on the ridgeway too:
http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Three+Downs+Link
i've done the ridgeway - on a singlespeed. i wan't everyone to do it so that i don't have to be alone in my suffering. i don't remember it being overgrown though.
That's The Ridgeway, not the Wessex Ridgeway. Even though it's more or less in Wessex.
I've done that from Goring/Streatley to home, around 60 odd miles. My leg home from the Sanctuary through Pewsey Vale was by far the best bit of the trip and made me wonder why I'd bothered with the 40 odd miles across the ridgeway itself.
offthebrakes - Member
Well there's the Shipwright's Way from just outside Farnham to Portsmouth
I did this on my CX, nice route, took 4.5hrs and I took in a loop of QECP to break it up.
The start of the routes ok, then the signs go a bit off on the small road section, then you're fine from then on.
Theres a website covering it all and that's where I got my info from.
Worth doing in a "bit of fun" way.
This was the cycling route page [url= http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksCycle/wessex-ridgeway-trail-walking-and-cycle-route ]Wessex Ridgeway cycling route[/url]. I wasn't being naughty and straying onto the walkers bit.
Nice write-up there and laughed at the reference to Mud Lane, assuming it's the one near Martinsell Hill? Lovely little bridleway. 😀
OK, why not join the ridges together? Start off at Oliver's Castle near Devizes then pick up the Wansdyke for almost its entire length (that's a challenge!) Drop down to Walker's Hill, Knap Hill then Martinsell Hill.
You'll need to cross the A346/A338 to pick up another ridge at Marten that will eventually take you along Wayfarer's Walk to just outside Basingstoke.
Superb ridge riding with excellent views, loads of history. What more could one want from a ride?
Keep us posted!
It is indeed the Mud Lane of Martinsell Hill fame. Last time I rode it I needed a bucket of Lanacane to repair the damage. The Wansdyke is not perfect at the moment, lot's of long grass but that route is not a bad idea CG as I can ride to Oliver's Hill from home and then return by train from Basingstoke hmmm..
The Wansdyke is definitely exhausting but you could always break it up with the minor road or the canal?
I would only take my ss along Mud Lane!
I did this on my CX, nice route, took 4.5hrs and I took in a loop of QECP to break it up.
The start of the routes ok, then the signs go a bit off on the small road section, then you're fine from then on.
Theres a website covering it all and that's where I got my info from.
Worth doing in a "bit of fun" way.
Yeah, I enjoyed most of the Shipwright's Way (although I didn't do the whole thing). Two things to bear in mind for anyone trying it:
1. The section through Bordon is not completed yet so you'll have to plan your own route (not that difficult)
2. The rail crossing just east of Tankerdale Farm was closed for construction, so the alternate route alongside the A3 is probably the best bet - not sure when the rail crossing will re-open.
Can't say I enjoyed the rest of my ride though. Was still pretty tired from a few days in Snowdonia but was too stubborn to abandon and ploughed on, feeling pretty feeble the whole way and taking 2 hours longer than I'd hoped.
Some good ideas here - will try some of these next year!
Just to add that if you wanted to extend the Wayfarer's Walk section, bearing in mind it changes to footpath, you can rejoin it through the Candover Valley. Probably the furthest you could get would be Cheriton, it does end at Emsworth on the coast.
I walked the length of it many years ago.
Edit: how about a circuit of the White Horses? Yes, some are on footpaths but you can be creative. You would certainly be cycling a fair old distance!
I would only take my ss along Mud Lane!
I would only take people I don't like very much down it 🙂
Used to do the Action Five Zero TQ series around Wilts, organiser Ted's trademark was a requirement for Agent Orange to access the majority of the 50pt clips.
Edit: how about a circuit of the White Horses? Yes, some are on footpaths but you can be creative. You would certainly be cycling a fair old distance!
Theres a road sportive every April, an offroad variant would be nice!
You'll need to cross the A346/A338 to pick up another ridge at Marten that will eventually take you along Wayfarer's Walk to just outside Basingstoke.
from Mud Lane, hang right, then join the canal at Brimslade Farm - follow East, over the Bruce Tunnel, to Crofton - then over the byway to the road (can't think of many direct ways to avoid it), straight ahead across the 338 and join the roman road to the ridge opposite the Chute causeway climb.
That bit should be nicely overgrown by now! Could instead go Bedwyn - Shalbourne and join the ridge at the top of the hill, that's passable if a buit stingy/thorny/horse fly infested.
I've got a route somewhere for all the White Horses off road. Not done it yet, the idea was inspired by the sadly departed Ivor from Red Planet. Must dig it out, ride it and then toast him at the end.
I would only take people I don't like very much down it
My first time was walking it as due to accident I couldn't ride. Thought at the time it would be fun on a bike and full body cover was the order of the day. 😀
Ages ago I printed out a map of the white horses but couldn't decide whether it would be best off road or on road. Would have been over a few days including doing b & b at a friend's house!
Do these things whilst you can!
Last time I rode it, I think they'd added those step over plank things, supposedly to deter MXers (who I'd guess laugh at them and rev harder) but principally so that I can tell others about after hitting them at 20mph (am a bit easily distracted, probably saw something shiny in the trees).
That route would be great to see, I'd have to actually ride a bike sometime this month before attempting it though.
Interesting. I have a 120-ish-mile loop planned from Amberley to Eastbourne and back that I may still get around to this summer. Fair bit of it is SDW, of course.
I could probably put you a route together taking you from down towards petersfield all the way up to seven oaks. Perhaps not a proper 'long distance path' but it's good riding, maybe 80 miles off the top of my head. Up with the a3, across the Surrey hills and then along the north downs and greensand ridge.
Other things I've looked at include following the routes of old Roman roads- I was working on Dorchester to London (I think the portway) via Salisbury, Andover and bracknell way or stand street from London to Chichester. They'd make good cross bike routes as you often get roads piggy backing on the Roman route for a bit or you have to go round a bit where it's disappeared.
Maybe not as far as petersfield, I just checked the map and my memory isn't as good as I thought it was, there's some bits of countryside between there and hindhead that I'd completely forgotten about. Hindhead back to the north downs and across is a good route though.