Queen Elizabeth Country Park - cycle route?

se7enup
se7enup Posts: 19
edited April 2009 in Routes
As this is the place to discuss Off road routes...has anyone ever cycled the off road route around Queen Elizabeth Country park?


i'm planning a small trip for a group of novice bikers (me being one of them)
We're planning a trip to QE Country park and want to try out the 10 mile cycle route.

Can anyone who knows the area let me know what the ground surface is like (some of the group only have hybrid tyres) and just how hilly the route is.

Any help/tips/advice would be really appreciated.

/S

Comments

  • Eranu
    Eranu Posts: 712
    You should be ok with Hybrids. The bit in the park itself is all fireroad when you come out the back, again its road/track. The bit down from the SDW to the railway crossing, I'm sure about not riden it before. After that when you cross the railway and go up the BOAT, that is pretty step with lose flint and stuff but it's only a short climb. Then the road from Chalton mostly down hill so ok, then backinto the park on the bridal path, this maybe muddy still but again it's very much doable on a hybrid.
  • se7enup
    se7enup Posts: 19
    That's brilliant - many thank for taking the time to reply.

    It sounds like a pretty good venue for a group of novices. We're mainly just trying to get a few easy miles under our belts before we attempt anything too technical.
  • Eranu
    Eranu Posts: 712
    No problem :)

    There is also a route within the park itself which is ok, it's short though about 4 miles I think. The only issue with it is the climb to the top of the park, it's pretty long :) They are in the process of changing it and have added some single trak to the beginners route but it's not officially open yet, I rode it monday and it's quite good fun. The "advanced" course is also easily ridable by beginners but some of it is't really suitable for hybrid bikes.

    Depending on where you live, you might want to look at Staunton/Havant Thicket too, no big hills there and its all ridable on a hybrd bike, I use it when I don't have time to go further. There's no set route but all of Havant Thicket is open to ride and you can link in to Staunton Country Park and the bridal way from Waterlooville to Leigh Park to get 10+ plus out of it.

    There is also 100 acres/West Walk which is out by Wickham. Can ride anywhere there and can link into the Meon Vally Railway, which while it isn't very exciting is a nice ride and you can rack up the miles along it.

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