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Sun Jun 11th 2017

Watership Down Reversed	3*

Leader: Nick Stokell	Start Time: 9:00 am	Start Location: Woolton Hill nr Newbury - see details below
Description: Tough 100 km ride with plenty of hills (1200 m climbing) on mostly quiet lanes with fine views of the Hampshire countryside. The ride is based on the Watership Down Audax route but in the reversed (i.e. anti-clockwise direction), and replacing the straight (& rather busy) A272 towards Winchester with a meander along the Test Valley. There are no cafÃƒï¿œÃ‚Â© opportunities much before the proposed lunch stop (at 52 km) - Waitrose Farm Shop CafÃƒï¿œÃ‚Â© on the Leckford Estate, so bring some snacks. After a relaxed after-lunch ride along the Test Valley I'm planning a tea stop at Whitchurch or Laverstoke before the assault on Watership Down itself. It would be useful to have some idea of numbers so please let me know if you are coming by 7 June. Meet at The Chase National Trust Car Park (free), off Station Road, Woolton Hill (https://goo.gl/maps/gFpjhUzQUbG2). Directions from the A34: Driving south past Newbury on the A34, leave at the A343 junction signed 'Highclere, Wash Common'. Turn left at the roundabout signed 'Newbury, Wash Common'. Then 2nd left, signed 'Enborne Row, East Woodhay, Ball Hall' and also for The Furze Bush Inn and The Yew Tree Garden Centre. On crossing under the A34, take the first left into Station Road. The car park is a short way down on the left-hand side.
Riders: Andy Pixton David Smith Jon Townsin Karen Townsin Katherine Boyce Louis Hall Nick Stokell Pam Stokell Ursula Hallam Riders = 9 Weather: Report: Four couples on a ride plus token gooseberry Louis. Brownie points to him, David and Ursula for riding to the start, and an acknowledgement to Ursula! â€“ I only realised when I got back just now how much of her 2015 route I had borrowed. After a gentle warm up though Kintbury the arm warmers came off and we set off up Walbury Hill and were rewarded by bright sunshine and expansive views to the North. Our passage South showed the Hampshire escarpments (Hart Hill Down, Little Down, Haydown Hill looked very shapely) off to fine effect and even the climbs seemed easier today, punctuated by swooping descents. The terrain became flatter around Andover before the final pre-lunch push on to Longstock. Arrival at 1145 meant a short queue and quick turnaround. Someone discovered they couldnâ€™t use their Waitrose club card â˜¹ Flat peaceful stretch after lunch (apart from a homicidal motorist and a wasp sting to Ursula), intermittently encountering the River Test. After a sunny tea stop at the ManyDown Bus CafÃ© at Laverstoke we set off up the hill towards Watership Down. Pam twisted her knee (dangerous things SPD SLs!) and eventually decided to wait for a rescue helicopter. She was probably a bit disappointed when I turned up in the car. A good day out â€“ Iâ€™m a real fan of the Hampshire countryside.
Distance: 99.00 km (61.52 mi)	Ride Details: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/15231409
Just before Watership Down (1) Just before Watership Down (2)
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/15231409"
Comment on this ride

Written by : Karen T

Posted on : June 12, 2017 at 1:55 PM

Great route Nick and loved the cafe stops. Thanks for leading.

Ride Filter

Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information