New Forest Cycling - Route

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  • noiseboyfeetman
    noiseboyfeetman Posts: 719
    jcondylis01 wrote:
    noiseboyfeetman wrote:
    This route's similar to topcattim's except that it takes in Braishfield and Kings Somborne with Cow Drove Hill thrown in for good measure. I only know the route from Brockenhurst to Stockbridge so i've ripped the rest of topcattim's post. Both routes, Mottisfont or Kings Somborne, are nice routes with quiet roads.

    When you go through Whitchurch stop in at North Hants Bikes http://www.northhantsbikes.co.uk/ they're great guys in there and if you're lucky and smile nicely they might stick the kettle on!

    http://connect.garmin.com/course/3215121

    Other routes actually in the forest though include:

    http://connect.garmin.com/course/2523610

    http://connect.garmin.com/course/2296498

    Alternatively there's the Hampshire Hilly Hundred which admittedly is nowhere near the New Forest but is close to Basingstoke:

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/399478

    Judging from your garmin maps you're pretty close to the Meons/South Downs, do you get out there much?

    I go out Winchester Hill way and through East Meon, that's a nice run, some of the maps i've got which take in Butser Hill and Alresford I haven't actually done yet I just ripped them off another route and amended them for future use.
    Road - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12777154&p=16943702#p16943702

    Commuter - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12877017&p=17855019#p17855019

    MTB - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12930006&p=18407199#p18407199
  • jcondylis01
    jcondylis01 Posts: 50
    "I go out Winchester Hill way and through East Meon, that's a nice run, some of the maps i've got which take in Butser Hill and Alresford I haven't actually done yet I just ripped them off another route and amended them for future use."

    Whereabouts is Butser Hill? Is it near Haydens Lane (the road which climbs up to the top of the South Downs from the Warnford side)?
  • Josh_No90
    Josh_No90 Posts: 22
    jcondylis01 wrote:
    I took my housemate and a mate out to Shaftesbury via Zig Zag and my mate punctured on Zig Zag in similar conditions to today, i.e., ******* freezing. We stopped in Shaftesbury for hot food etc and then went out to Salisbury in conditons that can only be described as savage. Not quite snowing, but very sleety and wet. That A road from Shaftesbury to Salisbury is also pretty busy, but we just wanted to get home asap. Bloody awful day, but once the sun (finally) appears I'll head to Zig Zag again.

    I'm based in Soton, so I have the option of the South Downs or NF. Have you been out on the bike much?

    I've been getting out on the bike more an more (especially my new SuperSix) when I can. Work seems to be getting in the way :lol:.

    I try not to go down Zig Zag Hill anymore because of the road surface, instead I use it as a climb up to Win Green before heading to Tollard Royal. As you say, the road is pants and, if descending the first right-hand bend now has quite a lot of dust/gravel/broken road on it.

    If you're in Shaftesbury again, try and ride up Gold Hill (technically you have to dismount at the top but I just head to the left of the Salt Cellar café). You can pretend you're climbing the Koppenberg and, if there are people at the café, they often give you a cheer!

    The road between Shaftesbury and Salisbury is very busy (the A30). I always try to avoid it and use this route (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201849573) on the back roads. It's not much longer and is probably slightly less rolling (ie: flatter).
    topcattim wrote:
    I'm curious now. Can you tell me where Zig Zag Hill/Road is? I'm in Winchester and you've made this road sound fun!

    As has been said, it starts just under 2 miles SE of Shaftesbury, in a hamlet called Cann Common. It's full of hairpin bends (hence 'zig zag'). This is one of the bends: 893195_b0cb6e5b.jpg. A bit of a trek from Winchester but the countryside all around here is beautiful.
  • jcondylis01
    jcondylis01 Posts: 50
    That's a really nice photo, but for people who haven't ridden that road and judge the quality from this pic they'll be in for a shock (excuse the pun). I haven't done Gold Hill yet, but I will give it a go next time I head that way. Is it as hard as it looks?!
  • Gazspurs
    Gazspurs Posts: 122
    Cheers for all the thoughts guys, and the NF routes for better conditions!

    I done the route today & couldn't believe how pretty it was through the forest, I'm defo doing some of the specific NF routes you guys have posted up!

    Went through Burley & couldn't believe the beauty, free-flowing stream, wild horses... No witches though! As many warned the wind was not just freezing but blowing me sideways & was out the saddle and nearly down a couple of times!

    65 miles felt like 100 but I can't wait to get back down there on an early morning run! Sun just coming up over the trees, no wind & some 20 degree heat!
  • jcondylis01
    jcondylis01 Posts: 50
    Gazspurs wrote:
    Cheers for all the thoughts guys, and the NF routes for better conditions!

    I done the route today & couldn't believe how pretty it was through the forest, I'm defo doing some of the specific NF routes you guys have posted up!

    Went through Burley & couldn't believe the beauty, free-flowing stream, wild horses... No witches though! As many warned the wind was not just freezing but blowing me sideways & was out the saddle and nearly down a couple of times!

    65 miles felt like 100 but I can't wait to get back down there on an early morning run! Sun just coming up over the trees, no wind & some 20 degree heat!

    Fair play to you mate, not an easy day for cycling. I bet at times it felt like you were going backwards. Apparently the sun will be out for a bit tomorrow, so I'm heading out for a ride around the South Downs.
  • garyk72
    garyk72 Posts: 76
    jcondylis01 wrote:
    "I go out Winchester Hill way and through East Meon, that's a nice run, some of the maps i've got which take in Butser Hill and Alresford I haven't actually done yet I just ripped them off another route and amended them for future use."

    Whereabouts is Butser Hill? Is it near Haydens Lane (the road which climbs up to the top of the South Downs from the Warnford side)?

    Butser hill is not far from Hayden lane, which is basically one way up Old Winchester Hill. Once over Hayden Lane keep going along the ridge until you reach a crossroads. Turn left and descend towards East Meon. Take a right at the bottom of the hill and head for "Harvesting Lane". This is the steep way up on to Butser Hill and is quite steep towards the top (around 20%). You can then descend in to Clanfield via Hogs Lodge Lane.

    Enjoy!!!

    G
  • jcondylis01
    jcondylis01 Posts: 50
    garyk72 wrote:
    jcondylis01 wrote:
    "I go out Winchester Hill way and through East Meon, that's a nice run, some of the maps i've got which take in Butser Hill and Alresford I haven't actually done yet I just ripped them off another route and amended them for future use."

    Whereabouts is Butser Hill? Is it near Haydens Lane (the road which climbs up to the top of the South Downs from the Warnford side)?

    Butser hill is not far from Hayden lane, which is basically one way up Old Winchester Hill. Once over Hayden Lane keep going along the ridge until you reach a crossroads. Turn left and descend towards East Meon. Take a right at the bottom of the hill and head for "Harvesting Lane". This is the steep way up on to Butser Hill and is quite steep towards the top (around 20%). You can then descend in to Clanfield via Hogs Lodge Lane.

    Enjoy!!!

    G

    Cheers. I'll check that out next time I'm out there, which (weather permitting) will be tuesday. Just got back from a 40miler in the Stockbridge area, including Cow Drove Hill, which is a real lung killer!
  • rrsodl
    rrsodl Posts: 486
    coriordan wrote:
    Sorry its all in KM - EUGH
    50 mile loop
    http://connect.garmin.com/activity/292918859
    (all very quiet roads)

    UK Cycling New Forest Sportive
    http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events ... -sportive/

    Enjoy - it sure is lovely around there!

    That is a great 50 miler - I should do this route very shortly.

    Thanks for posting the link although it wasn't meant for me :D
  • jcondylis01
    jcondylis01 Posts: 50
    garyk72 wrote:
    jcondylis01 wrote:
    "I go out Winchester Hill way and through East Meon, that's a nice run, some of the maps i've got which take in Butser Hill and Alresford I haven't actually done yet I just ripped them off another route and amended them for future use."

    Whereabouts is Butser Hill? Is it near Haydens Lane (the road which climbs up to the top of the South Downs from the Warnford side)?

    Butser hill is not far from Hayden lane, which is basically one way up Old Winchester Hill. Once over Hayden Lane keep going along the ridge until you reach a crossroads. Turn left and descend towards East Meon. Take a right at the bottom of the hill and head for "Harvesting Lane". This is the steep way up on to Butser Hill and is quite steep towards the top (around 20%). You can then descend in to Clanfield via Hogs Lodge Lane.

    Enjoy!!!

    G


    Hi,

    My house mate and I rode up Butser Hill today, on the Harvesting Lane side, and its a real killer- it just seems to drag on and on! The Hogs Lodge Lane descent is nice though, but I imagine going up to Butser Hill that way is pretty easy compared to the Harvesting Lane side. Are there any other climbs I should know about in that area, other than the ones discussed?

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