Sun 7th August: Full day Meon Valley ride

We cancelled the full-day Meon Valley ride on 17th July because of the extreme temperature and a government Amber Weather Warning.  The short shady ride we replaced it with was enjoyed by all.  The weather on Sunday 7th August looks perfect, so this will be the new date.

Full day Meon Valley ride on  Sunday 7th August

Assemble:   Riverside park (by Cobden Bridge) from 9.45 am for a prompt 10 am departure.  Join at 10.15 at the Cutbush Lane/Swaythling Rd junction if you prefer.

Route in brief:  usual route from Riverside Park to Cutbush Lane, signed route via Barbe Baker Ave to Moorgreen Rd, Burnetts Lane, Blind Lane, v short section on Winchester Rd, Snakemoor Lane, Stapleford Lane, Mill Lane, , Calcott  Lane, Curdridge Lane to Waltham Chase, New Rd to Swanmore, Swanmore Rd to Droxford.  From Droxford to Wickham via disused railway line.  From Wickham to Titchfield Abbey via Mayles Lane and bridleway, over A27 (at crossing) to Titchfield village.  From Titchfield to Titchfield Haven via Posbrook Lane.  Return to Southampton via NCN2 route using Warsash – Hamble ferry.

Terrain:  mixture of quiet roads and off-road paths and bridleway; excellent surface on the disused railway; rough but easy surface on bridleway and parts of NCN route.  Hilly out to Droxford; easy slightly downhill from Droxford to Titchfield Haven;  otherwise mainly flat.

38 miles

Refreshments:  morning coffee will be either Ria’s cafe in Waltham Chase or The Bakers Inn in Droxford (depending on our timings);  lunch stop at Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre (no need to book) or bring your own lunch.

Weather:  BBC weather says “sunny with light breezes).

This is a beautiful ride with an interesting variety of landscape and terrain. A great way to try part of the disused railway cycle/walking path (which runs all the way from Meonstoke to Wickham) if you have never used it before, and we will stop, time permitting, to have a look at Titchfield Abbey.  Our constraint will be the need to be back in Warsash to catch the last ferry at 3.50 pm.

Regards,

Lindsi

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