Where are the weeks and months going?! It was great to see such a big turnout for our last training run and the next one is almost upon us already.
🙂
We’ve set the ride for an earlier start of 8.00am from Hursley Clubhouse. Since everyone who did the 50 mile route last time found it a breeze we have just one route of 68miles.
😉
Head out from Hursley Park initially towards Winchester, then take the first left up the little nasty slope past the site of Merdon Castle and on to Braishfield and Michelmersh before entering the New Forest near West Wellow. Then on to Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst (32miles – Tesco or cafe available), Beaulieu and then to Lepe Cafe (44 miles) for coffee on the beach where the sun always shines on our rides!
Return from Lepe up the A326. After a few miles we join a small road running parallel to the A326, once we do that keep going “straight” on small roads and cycle paths including the section beside the A326. We then return via Marchwood, Eling Tide Mill, North Baddesley and Chandlers Ford.
Although this is a fairly standard New Forest route for those that know it, there is one tricky bit of navigation on the return. If you don’t know the route it’s worth committing to memory: A FEW HUNDRED METRES PAST THE ELING TOLL BRIDGE (free for cycles) AND THE ANCHOR PUB, JUST BEFORE PASSING UNDER THE A35 DUAL CARRIAGE WAY, TURN RIGHT ONTO A PATH AND CLIMB A SHORT CYCLE PATH UP TO THE A35. STAY ON THE PATH HEADING TOWARDS THE TRAFFIC FOR A MILE OR SO. HAVING CROSSED THE CAUSEWAY BRIDGE OVER THE WATER LOOK OUT FOR A GAP IN THE BLUE RAILINGS. AT THE GAP TURN RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER SHORT PATH AND DESCEND. AT THE END OF THE PATH TURN RIGHT TO PASS UNDER THE A35 AND PROCEED ON THE ROUTE.
Have a great ride! Mike