WINCHESTER and there abouts

[gbs]

I will have a day there next week. Any thoughts re routes, places to go and places to avoid will be appreciated. As always places to go includes lunch and other stops.

 

[slowmotion]

Visit the cathedral. The Norman part is really good. Also, a tour of Winchester College ( founded 1382) is interesting. You'll find the tours start at the gate in College Street. The Wykeham Arms pub nearby does good food. Pretty much everything worth visiting is within walking distance of each other.

 

[gbs]

Those all all good suggestions for Winchester but I was thinking more about cycling around the area whilst wife and daughter are engaged in other activities.

 

[kipster]

It's on cycle route 23, you could head north towards Basingstoke or south to the coast. Looking at the map, heading north takes in some nice villages and you can turn back before Basingstoke as Winchester is a nicer place! Don't really know what the routes are like south of Winchester. How many miles are you looking to do?

 

[gbs]

I have spoken to an old friend who knows the area (but not as a cyclist) and I now have in mind a loop to the SE to E/W Meon say 75k. Nothing v strenuous.

What is the condition of the of the 23? Passable on skinny tyres?

 

[slowmotion]

The Meon valley is a popular route and very pretty. A few good hills too, if you like that sort of stuff.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/sp...ree-photos-and-High5-pack-offer---ends-soon-0
There are loads of other more gentle ways to go too.

 

[kipster]

You should be fine on skinny tyres. It's nice around the Meon Valley.

 

[StuAff]

Some of the minor roads- well, a lot of them- in the Meon valley basically consist of potholes either side of a large pile of gravel. Great scenery though. Avoid Basingstoke Whitchurch & Kingsclere both have excellent lunch stop options.

 

[bof]

The Test Valley which runs to the West of Winchester is lovely.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

lovely countryside for a long bike ride. lousy road surfaces. The Test and Meon valleys are, as others have said your best bet, unless to take an mtb and hit the SDW.

 

[bof]

lovely countryside for a long bike ride. lousy road surfaces. The Test and Meon valleys are, as others have said your best bet, unless to take an mtb and hit the SDW.

Some of the minor roads- well, a lot of them- in the Meon valley basically consist of potholes either side of a large pile of gravel. Great scenery though. Avoid Basingstoke Whitchurch & Kingsclere both have excellent lunch stop options.

You lot dont know when you're well off - much better surfaces than Bucks and Berks!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

You lot dont know when you're well off - much better surfaces than Bucks and Berks!

You have roads in Bucks and Berks? The scars on my scalp, nose, knees, hip, and elbows say otherwise....

 

[puch]

I'd recommend going down the A272 to the West Meon Hut (crossroads) then south on the A32 all the way to Wickham. Further south, parallel to the M27 is Nine Elms Lane which will take you to Portsdown Hill - nice view over the Solent - weather permitting.

 

[gbs]

Thanks everybody. trip delayed until next week so I am hoping that the current fine weather persists.

 

[puch]

addendum: The Roebuck on the A32 about a mile outside of Wickham, is a good place to refresh.