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Jambalaya, that would be cool. Not ridden Surrey hills for years.
Where is this place called 'head down' that nobody rides? I always thought there must be more at QECP but don't know where to find it.
@jambalaya thanks, it's a nice bike I can't use it how it should be used due to lack of skill though. It's the benefit of becoming 40+ and choosing not to have the massive party that my wife had, more money to spend on a new bike 🙂
By the end of March it might actually have stopped raining if you're lucky
Just to add that I've actually been riding today! Ma boy was dahn from That Lahndun so we provided the entertainment in the Stockbridge vicinity.
I was on the cx whilst he was on his ss commuter leaving me a whining blur in the distance. 🙂
He was amazed at the friendly roadies we came across, loved the scenery and has promised to return. 8) I did tell him that Hampshire is ace for road riding!
Great to be out with some blue sky isn't it CG
No blue sky around Stockbridge John! Got back to the car just as the drizzle started, so good to be out. 🙂
Hi Mattbee
not a problem always glad to help but remember I didn't tell you anything right 😉
(Chap on the 456)
I've been riding today. 8) A little jaunt on the new cx saw me again in the Test Valley but a new to me route. Followed the River Test for a little then followed the Wallop Brook which was nicely full. Visited a 13th century church that was actually open.
If anyone wants some nice quiet roads where hardly any cars were seen then starting from Horsebridge gives access to plenty. Stockbridge is another starting point. The roads were fairly flat so could be ideal for a family ride. Not suitable for 23mm tyres though!
There is a pub at Horsebridge and noticed around 20 road bikes parked up outside!
Will be returning to this area as I'm trying to regain confidence on the roads after an accident.
Check out bobmbc.com
Good club based down in Crowthorne - ride lots around Surrey/Berkshire/Hampshire border
4 or 5 rides a week covering all fitness levels
Cheers
CG how was the road out from the John O'Gaunt? I was up there last week and the river was still over the road in 3 or 4 places, pretty deep too.
Cheers
Andy
Andy - yes, water covered the road in a couple of places although not deep. The road surface was not too clever near those places and gravel had spread across the road.
Edit: I did actually watch a sporty car drive very sheepishly through but made it.
I am going to try and get back to QECP this weekend again. Feeling the love with my new found nerve on the drop offs, need to keep practicing.
Nice around those parts CG I love Stockbridge, want to live there.
My parents live in Kings Sombourne, actually just outside village itself on the Horsbridge Road, my sister is quite a keen roadie and rides the area fairly regularly on visits from her home in Devon. Stockbridge is indeed ok too 🙂
John I'll be about at the weekend and probably riding Saturday morning but probably won't have a car suitable for QECP visit unless I rent something but if you are going up there please post here and if I can join I will otherwise it will be another spin from Hamble but towards Hill Head and beyond.
Bit relevant: http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk/2014/03/red-trail-night-dig/
QECP trail team keeping the trail going thought the winter 🙂
Worked on a new end to the red trail to make the steps run out much easier and a cool new 180 berm. Also drained all the puddles near the end.
P.S What a turn out for a Wednesday evening. We will be doing another one in couple of weekend to get the New section open.
I'll be at home this and next weekend but I'll be hacking the roadie through my end of the Downs.... 😀
Jambalaya, if I go Saturday it will probably be early morning, I am happy to give you a lift if you like assuming you are near Fareham? Let me know if you are interested and if so I will firm up a time and day one way or the other.
@johnj - it's very kind but I'm not near and also it would mean heading the wrong way for you.
Who's enjoyed the sun today? 😀
I was put to work in the garden cutting back trees! Far more dangerous than mtbing as I cut through the electrical cable on the hedge cutter!!!!!! I didn't die, obv!
Going to try and get out tomorrow.
Great ride in QECPand beyond this morning. Couple of hours, very little mud and a short sleeved jersey on!
New end to Red trail looks like it will be fun & the work done on & just before the big berms has made them mega quick once more. Great work as always from the Collective.
Heading back tomorrow morning for some more fun in this lovely weather, got to make the most of it.
Another coastal ride, even a token amount on beach before deciding that sand and salt water wouldn't be good for mechanicals ! Lovely. Gratuitous bike love photo to follow.
Right! Yesterday was tree felling day so no riding. Today has been a 4 mile run at 7 am rugby with the boy until 12 and the last hour spent cursing at the broken hard drive in my laptop. I think it's time to head to QECP and try to hurt myself.
Brilliant late afternoon ride at QECP. Spent a good while sessioning snakes and ladders(I think that's the name of the section) but still couldn't get my landing right of the drop off into the berm, good fun though. Then did the second half of the trail and nearly came off a couple of times on final descent and that other section with a downhill bermed bit. Looks like the new end to the final descent will be good. I then went and did another loop around snakes and ladders before returning to the car which I stupidly parked in juniper as opposed to the lower car park.
The weather was amazing, so warm for this time of year, brilliant!
Sounds as though there's been plenty of riding going on. 8)
This is looking towards King Somborne, a real rattley descent on an unclassified road from a dizzy height of 115 metres.
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cg, there appears to be something wrong with your bike!!!!! Someone must have broken into your garage at night and whipped of a load of components such as forks, bars, tyres etc and replaced with funny rigid road stuff 😉
Sorry! 😳 Haven't been off road for a while so let's have some Hampshire bluebells. 😀
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What are those strange things on the end of your bars? 😉
More giggles for you PJ. 😆
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QECP tonight, can't wait for those dry trails 😀
Gahhhh not fair Scott! By the time I arrive home from work it's dark 🙁
another spin from Hamble
jambalaya - i'm quite interested in routes from hamble. I've moved to bursledon but haven't found a lot of off road yet - any pointers...
johnj2000, we dont start riding until 18:45 at least. WellScott might get there earlier, but I cant.
More giggles for you PJ.
Thanks. 😆
ooooh 6.45. Doing it in the dark? I am a danger to my health in daylight let alone dusk/dark. Have fun you loons 🙂
Cheeky QECP and nearby ride after work, it's so dry and fast it's silly!
I was up there at around 1300. The trails are running perfect. Best they've been since just before Christmas.
What are these trails you talk of?
I'm having too much fun on the road. 😀
Never mind "what are these trails you speak off" more like what are these times you speak of? 13.00 do you not need to be tied to a desk at that time? 18.45 do you not have to be bathing the children or running them to cubs? 🙂
"Grabs tin hat and runs for cover......"
John - I know it's tough with kids, been there, done that. Enjoy them whilst they're young cos when they become teenagers your work will really start! Mine flew the nest many years ago but my son is now into road riding and he recently came down with his bike to enjoy the Hampshire roads.
I do look back on that time fondly but it was bloomin' hard work especially with one that was in hospital regularly.
Keep smiling. 😀
Wow what a ride! 0% mud, 26.3km ,756m of climbing/decent & first non-stop lap of the red since last summer.
@tomthumb Burseldon nice ! I've just been riding up/down the river and coastal trail (solent way path - yes there are no biking signs but a few riders and I always and very courteous to the walkers) I tend to take warsash ferry one way (£1.75) as its quite fun and helps support it. The bridleway in the woods between Hamble and Burseldon has a couple of "roll ins" you can play on but you have to push/climb back out. Other stuff I read on here from @bikebouy and @john I will try out (Alver Valley Browndown looks to be about 45 min ride away with ferry or 75 mins without) it all seems to be a mix of small road, bridleway and paths but I have no bike friendly car at the moment, so just glad to be out and about. When I can I'll get to Lordswood and QECP.
Living in Ryde I quite fancy a trip to QECP. Worth the ferry trip?
Yes if you catch it while its still dry Pimp, riding over or driving?
If riding:
http://documents.hants.gov.uk/ccbs/countryside/ShipwrightsWayLeaflet-Section10-Havant.pdf
http://documents.hants.gov.uk/ccbs/countryside/ShipwrightsWayLeaflet-Section9-FinchdeantoStauntonCountryPark.pdf
http://documents.hants.gov.uk/ccbs/countryside/shipwrightsway-section8.pdf
Thanks for those.
While riding would be a lot cheaper, I'm not sure how much energy I'd have left once getting to QECP... Google reckon it's 17 miles each way, so doable. But I think I'd probably drive. 😉
other option is train from Portsmouth to Petersfield its about 2 miles to QECP from the station.