- Starts: Wednesday 7 December 2016 9:15 am
- Ride leader/Event organiser: John Rosbottom
- Supported by: Mike Harbour
- Category: Saturday and Wednesday rides
- Route grade: C - Moderate route
- Ride to elevenses grade: C - Moderate route
At: The Spring Centre, Havant
Address: East Street, Havant, P09 1BS
The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre web site is here.
Contact us about this event
Send an email to leader: John Rosbottom.
Send an email to supporter: Mike Harbour.
Send an email to both John Rosbottom and Mike Harbour.
Map
Details:
An easy ride for a winter's day, with shortcut options if the weather is bad, starting at the Spring Centre, Havant, at 09h15.
There is a choice of routes to elevenses at Liss Triangle Centre. An easy paced ride of around 30 km via Westbourne, Rowlands Castle, Finchdean and Buriton follows one of the prettiest South to North routes over the South Downs. A slightly faster and longer alternative takes in South Harting and Rogate to enjoy one of the best freewheeling descents into Liss.
After elevenses we head off into quiet Hampshire lanes around Greatham and Hawkley before reaching Stoner Hill with its Alpine-like character downhill into Petersfield for lunch, having covered about 48 km so far.
After lunch we cross the South Downs the easy way using the Butser Cycle Way to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, then back to Havant by way of Chalton and Rowlands Castle.
Our day out Havant to Havant will be around 70 km (43.5 miles).
Profile:
just a few hills (click to enlarge)
Route:
About Saturday and Wednesday rides
Rides from Havant with stops for elevenses, lunch and sometimes tea. If you're unable to keep up or have a mechanical problem, someone will be available to help you - although we obviously cannot guarantee to solve all problems.
Riders are free to join and leave the ride at various points. Some ride directly to the elevenses stop.
Click either heading below to find out more about Wednesday and Saturday rides:
Wednesday rides
Wednesday rides are the largest of our rides and can provide a range of options to riders. We often split into multiple groups at the start, for example:
- A fast group that takes a longer and/or hillier route to the elevenses stop
- A ride which takes a more direct route to the elevenses stop at a moderate pace
- An elevenses ride comprised of riders going only to elevenses; the elevenses ride will have its own ride leader and might go to a different destination if the route to the main elevenses destination is long and/or hilly
On Wednesdays it is highly likely that there will be several riders coming back to the Havant area from the elevenses stop - although they might not include a PCTC ride leader. If that is what you'd like to do, please consult the ride leader at the start to ensure someone knows and is able to bring you back.
In addition, some rides split after elevenses to go at different paces or to alternate destinations. These are usually announced during the ride briefing. Please ask if you are unsure about the options available.
Saturday rides
Saturday rides are (usually) much smaller than Wednesday rides. As a result they offer fewer options for rides but more flexibility for routes and destinations.
The rides are often shown as 'informal' meaning there is no prescribed ride leader. Unless weather is particularly adverse, however, they always go ahead at the stated time and start point. We try to keep to the suggested elevenses destination to allow for people who want to ride directly there.
The lunch destination does change occasionally but we will always take views of riders into account. In particular, if you join a ride because you think you can manage the distance/hilliness, we would not substitute an alternative if it meant you couldn't join the ride.
If you want to ride with us but only to elevenses and need someone to help you with the route back, please use our general enquiry form to let us know in advance of the ride so we can try to arrange something for you.
This article describes what you should consider bringing with you on one of these rides.