I was wondering if there are and good off road routes near Newbury or in Berkshire. I am only just 16 and i cant really travel much so it is quite difficult to go far afield. If anyone could help me it would be great.
Thanks
The [url= http://www3.hants.gov.uk/cycling-route-finder.htm ]Hants council website[/url] has a few routes on, some should be near enough to Newbury.
Easiest thing to do is buy the Explorer OS map (158 I think) and go and explore. I you head South West it will take you over to Combe Gibbet on the Wayfarers Walk where you will find plenty of bridleways and byways. Can't comment on closer to Newbury as I'm not local to there.
Maybe have a word with your LBS. Shops quite often run group rides of all abilities. A great way to meet people and find new routes.
HTH.
Thanks guy for the help i can get to andover easy enough so thanks and i will begin to explore more !! once again Thanks
If you have mapping software I can send you some gpx routes.
Perhaps try asking at Banjo Cycles
I think they might have a shop ride. They certainly have a shop team.
Or try Pedalon, but that might be too far.
What sort of mapping software (e.g make)
will - you can upload CG's GPXs to sites like [url= http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php ]bikehike[/url] or [url= http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm ]wheresthepath[/url] and view/print the routes overlaid on OS maps (bikehike's better for printing BTW). Just remember to say please and thankyou to the nice lady, and don't resemble a badger in any way shape or form.
Stacks of bridleways north of Newbury - OS Explorer map 158 as MM's post above & Bucklebury is pretty good fun too
If you're riding to Andover then try Collingbourne Woods too. The distance is very similar from Newbury.
Loads around top end of Test Valley as MM indicates - get the OS, look SW - there be hills there, stacks of old county roads that are almost all singletrack due to vegetation this time of year.. Over Combe Gibbet is my commute home - can be very good, or very bad depending on the weather! from Walbury hill, look a mile or so up the road to the mast - the byway next to that is a nice 2K ish descent. The whole ridge is rideable to the Oxenwood road in this weather, did it without dabbing the other night which is rare.
Likewise Collingbourne Woods from Andover (probably a bit too far to do from Newbury unless you're fit, about 35Km to get there if you know the most direct way). Best if there is someone to show you around, but my riding time is entirely baby dependant at the mo so I can't commit to anything 🙁
Banjo are a nice bunch and might be able to tell you about Greenham - I hear thats OK for somewhere close to town but I don't know it myself at all.
Greenham does have a 'track' around the outside if you know where to look! 😉 Penn Wood (near Tot Hill services) had some good riding but I haven't been there for a while now.
get OS 50000 size, 174 map
higlight with coloured marker stablo rupp (Road Used as Public Path), boat (Byway Open to All Traffic), bridleway [see key on RHS of map) also green dots then work the 'coloured' areas
SE Kingsclere/ Ecchinswell/Wayfarers walk
SW Inkpen, wayfarers walk
NW Wodspeen, Boxford,Beedon all thw way N to Wantage and over to E Ilsley and Lambourn
NE Hermitage/Upple Bucklebury
also re footpaths, smile and be polite, 99% of people don't appear to know the law.
thepurist - now now, please don't frighten folk. 😉
Oooooh, there's a thought - Watership Down means bunnies, lots of 'em. 😯
Greenham Common does indeed have quite a good route around the edge, but you have to be shown it - nothing marked on a map. Your best bet is probably one of the Banjo shop rides.
You could also try exploring Bucklebury Common - loads of tracks up there (mix of bridleway, byway and footpaths). There are a couple of good little sections around Snelsmore Common - bridleway that goes from the SW corner to Bagnor is fun.
There are some cheeky downhill tracks in the woods between the top of Slanting Hill (Cold Ash way) and Hermitage. Look for other 16 year olds in full face helmets on a Saturday afternoon.
Lots of good suggestions for you in this thread, my commute involves going across the Common so if I'm not feeling too worn out I usually do a bit of the singletrack around the edge.
If you're coming from town ride straight through Greenham up Pyle Hill (I work in the big orange shop at the bottom!), to the car park at the top. Once through the gate take an immediate right, and then just try to keep as far to the perimeter as possible, following the single track- it's easier to have a guide but if you don't you can still explore and find everything!