Newbie needs tarmac

[Winnershsaint]

When you do get on road, nearby Silchester is near National Cycle Route 23 and the northern end of two proposed quiet-road/track cycle routes shown on https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/content/page/44123/Proposed Strategic Cycle Map.pdf and maybe more easily on https://osm.org/go/eusKOftR-?layers=C

The lanes to south and east of Basingstoke are pretty quiet too out towards the Surrey border and Bentley and back towards Odiham and there are 32 miles of towpath along the Basingstoke Canal.

 

[Globalti]

If you are so frightened of riding on the road, don't you drive a car?

Being safe on the road is about asserting your right to territory while keeping an eye open for the occasional idiot. Drivers will see you and assess your look and manner of riding in a second so you need to project confidence and competence.