New Alresford via Colden Common

This ride is a 90km(56m) loop starting from the green outside of the White Hart, Denmead. A mix of roads, none that busy but we will be in traffic at times with a pace to suit all attending.

The outward journey is via the well worn routes of Soberton Heath and Waltham Chase via smaller roads, by-passing Bishops Waltham onto Lower Upham. A busier road then takes us to Fishers Pond and Colden Common before our coffee stop at Brambridge Garden Centre (30km/18m).

The journey before lunch goes through Otterbourne, a busier road before turning off to Twyford before the busy roads end and we move onto the cycle track adjacent to Twyford Down. Passing through Winchester, crossing the busy high street before passing under the Winnall Interchange onto quiet lanes once again. The lanes take us alongside the river Itchen, another popular cycling route, before reaching New Alresford where we’ll stop for lunch at The Arlebury Cafe (25km/15m).

The return journey will be known to most regular riders, passing the Watercress beds through the lanes of Tichborne onto Cheriton and Hinton Ampner (Crossing the busy A272). Through the back roads once again to West Meon and out again, before the steep climb up Combe Lane (Meon Springs Fly Fishery) to the top of Old Winchester Hill.

After a pause to recover from the climb, the trip down through Hyden Woods to Clanfield will be a welcome relief before we go our separate ways or take the back lanes to Denmead where we started the day.

Bookings for this ride/event

Booking is required for this ride. Please let the ride leader know if you want to join. Please do not turn up for the ride unless you've had your booking confirmed or your name appears below.

There are 8 spaces available for the leader and riders. Of these, 3 are left.

Bookings recorded for this ride (Log in to see rider names):

• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member

To ask to join this ride, please use the 'Contact us about this ride' link above to send an email to the ride leader.

Ride leader notes

Riding a lightweight road bike (during better months) the faster day rides I lead are typically 100-130km (60-80m) and occasionally 160km (100m).

Routes are at best undulating, usually “lumpy” (hilly), sometimes with severe hills!

- Average GOOD speed on “Faster” rides: 23kph (14mph)
- Average TYPICAL speed on “Faster” rides: 21.5kph (13mph)

Morning only rides are scaled back versions of day rides, usually at the same pace.

I also lead moderate rides as well, where the terrain difficulty is reduced (not so lumpy!) and the speed is adjusted to those attending the ride.

When I lead Waterlooville Community Cycle Club (WCCC) rides, which are generally easy relaxed rides, the pace is that of the slowest attending rider in the group.

* Please check the ride descriptions and classifications on the ride you are considering joining.

About Wednesday rides

Wednesday rides usually start 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.

Wednesday rides usually provide a range of options to riders as we'll try to arrange multiple rides with different paces, distance and degree of hilliness.

On Wednesdays it is likely that there will be several riders coming back to the Havant area after an elevenses stop - although they might not include a PCTC ride leader. If that is what you'd like to do, please consult the ride organiser before the day of the ride to ensure someone knows and is able to bring you back.

This article describes what you should consider bringing with you on one of these rides.