A Hampshire Bimble

[PpPete]

Looks good and takes in a good number of the sights, although I think somebody's accidentally edited it around Bramshaw.

If we wanted to add a few miles, I've taken a route west through the Wellows and then dropped down through Downton before turning east through Linwood to get back on your route. Mind you, in my current state of fitness I got out of breath just typing that.

I'm thinking 62 miles is quite enough....especially with a start at Romsey just after 10 (allowing for trains) - and allowing for adequate refreshment stops... do you know Carlo's at Wellow? Thinking that would be a fine last stop, before the last few miles back to Romsey.

May be able to make this one just getting to Romsey might be a problem. I will think about how to do it.

Will work out a rough timetable so people can join in /leave at intermediate points....

 

[Bollo]

I'm thinking 62 miles is quite enough....especially with a start at Romsey just after 10 (allowing for trains) - and allowing for adequate refreshment stops... do you know Carlo's at Wellow? Thinking that would be a fine last stop, before the last few miles back to Romsey.


Will work out a rough timetable so people can join in /leave at intermediate points....

Fairynuff. I'm probably cashing cheques my current fitness levels can't cash anyway, especially if I'm adding the Winch->Romsey stint.
I've heard of Carlo's but never been. You'll make me fat........

 

[PpPete]

Home made ice cream ? That can't make you fat !

 

[mark barker]

[QUOTE 1303645"]

Would anyone fancy bringing young children and less experienced cyclists along to make a family event? I would probably be able to swing a weekend of family cycling through
[/quote]

That sounds like a fine idea, although I doubt my daughter would be up for the 60miler (or me if I've got the trailer with the two younger ones!).

 

[lukesdad]

[QUOTE 1303645"]
As mentioned, it's the weekend after the Brecon jaunt, there is no way I will get two consecutive weekends away.

Would anyone fancy bringing young children and less experienced cyclists along to make a family event? I would probably be able to swing a weekend of family cycling through

Not that I want to hijack the original idea.
[/quote]
Could be " a get out" clause for hard pressed fathers.

 

[PpPete]

Best plan would be for those who want to make it a family weekend would be to select a suitable campsite in the New Forest, and then parents + any older, well behaved, children who wish to join /leave the ride at suitable intermediate point can do so.

I'll finalise the route asap so as to facilitate your choice of campsite.

 

[Bollo]

*Bump*

...because this is a ride that deserves it. Rode Winchester-Brockenhurst on the Sunday and it was magnificent through the forest.

There are plenty of campsites and caravan parks with decent facilities, although they can get busy during summer. The main London-Bournemouth line has several stops in the forest, so there are convenient opportunities for bailing out.

On the subject of busy, a sunny summer weekend tends to make the roads a little congested (gridlocked in the case of Lyndhurst). This shouldn't be a problem generally, but I've had the odd issue along Bolderwood Ornamental Drive in the past as the road gets quite narrow and steep in places. Would it be an idea to have a route that heads south so we can take advantage of the descent and keep with any traffic? Am I overthinking this?

 

[PpPete]

Not overthinking at all... all input is very welcome.

My initial plan does indeed descend said Ornamental drive...., being a sort of "figure of eight" thus:

Romsey, Lee, Calmore, Cadnam, Brook, past Fritham, down Bolderwood (but not Rhinefield) drive, Burley (for lunch),
Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Lyndhurst (so we can laugh at your gridlocked motorists), Minstead, Cadnam, Wellow (for afternoon tea - and aforementioned home-made ice creams) before returning to Romsey.

Due to other commitments in the week, and riding in events further away at weekends I'm currently checking the route in short sections. Maybe we can ride it together a few weeks before as a final check ?

 

[lukesdad]

Still turning this one over. I might consider towing the trailer down and turning it into a mini tour. If I can get a big enough window in the schedule. Any body live near to Romsey and wouldnt mind me stashing the rig at their place for the day ?

 

[Bollo]

Not overthinking at all... all input is very welcome.

My initial plan does indeed descend said Ornamental drive...., being a sort of "figure of eight" thus:

Romsey, Lee, Calmore, Cadnam, Brook, past Fritham, down Bolderwood (but not Rhinefield) drive, Burley (for lunch),
Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Lyndhurst (so we can laugh at your gridlocked motorists), Minstead, Cadnam, Wellow (for afternoon tea - and aforementioned home-made ice creams) before returning to Romsey.

Due to other commitments in the week, and riding in events further away at weekends I'm currently checking the route in short sections. Maybe we can ride it together a few weeks before as a final check ?

Sounds a good'n. I'm up for a test ride a few weeks before. No showing off mind - I'm sh** at cycling.

 

[StuAff]

Sounds a good'n. I'm up for a test ride a few weeks before. No showing off mind - I'm sh** at cycling.

Me too....on all counts

 

[PpPete]

Sounds a good'n. I'm up for a test ride a few weeks before. No showing off mind - I'm sh** at cycling.

You've not seen me on a bike then !

 

[numbnuts]

You've not seen me on a bike then !

I've not seen you either and I only live just up the road from you

 

[Dave Davenport]

Not overthinking at all... all input is very welcome.

My initial plan does indeed descend said Ornamental drive...., being a sort of "figure of eight" thus:

Romsey, Lee, Calmore, Cadnam, Brook, past Fritham, down Bolderwood (but not Rhinefield) drive, Burley (for lunch),
Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Lyndhurst (so we can laugh at your gridlocked motorists), Minstead, Cadnam, Wellow (for afternoon tea - and aforementioned home-made ice creams) before returning to Romsey.

Due to other commitments in the week, and riding in events further away at weekends I'm currently checking the route in short sections. Maybe we can ride it together a few weeks before as a final check ?

What route are you planning from the bottom of Bolderwood? If you're not going on through Rhinefield you'll have to use the A35 which wouldn't be great for a mixed group. You could either carry straight on past Brockenhurst to Burley or have the lunch stop at the station tea rooms Holmsley, which are good in the summer (plenty of room outside).
Alternatively, instead of going down the ornamental drive you could get to Burley or Holmsley via Linwood (past the red shute) and Ringwood which is a nice route.

 

[PpPete]

Was thinking, that whilst not ideal, just 500 mtrs on the A35 was bearable (before the turn to Burley), as summer weekend traffic is likely going to be pretty slow; however satellite imagery suggest the presence of reasonable fire roads winding through the forest to cut the corner and avoid the A35 altogether. Was planning to investigate these on my next trip out. If surface is no worse than the shortcut along the Test Way from Lee to Calmore, my feeling is that's acceptable on road bikes. (But I grew up in pre-MTB days when if all you had was a "10 speed racer" then that had to take you everywhere - so I'm probably not the best judge)

Otherwise Linwood/Ringwood is next best option as you say, or shorten the route slightly and miss out the Burley loop and carry on down Rhinefield, and find lunch in Brockenhurst.

Rather like the idea of the Holmsley stop though... I didn't know of that one, so thank you.