X alphabet ride to Xton!

Wednesday 19th August will be the X alphabet ride to Xton!
Warning: this will be a longer and more hilly route than most alphabet rides, lasting all day.
We'll meet in Denmead Bakehouse at 10am, for coffee, and set off from there at 10.45am. We'll initially ride west, passing the Horse and Jockey pub, then turn right (north) through Newtown and Soberton Heath to Soberton. At Soberton there is an option of joining the Meon Valley Trail through Droxford to Meonstoke, a distance of about 2 miles. The surface is compressed earth, which is quite smooth, but riders need to be wary of sticks which can flick into their wheels. Another consideration for e-bikers is that there is a steep bank to negotiate, which may be difficult with a heavy bike. I, Trish, will lead anyone who prefers to stay on lanes to Exton and Martine will lead the bridleway group. We can all meet up at The Shoe pub, on the west side of the A32.
After lunch we can set off together, pausing for a group photo at the Xton sign, near the A32.
Martine will then lead the way SE across lovely Hampshire countryside to Blendworth, for tea at the fabric shop, then Rowlands Castle and Havant. This involves a couple of very long climbs. I will do a retrace back to Denmead, with anyone else not wanting such arduous hills. My group can have tea at Denmead, then return via Purbrook Heath to Havant.

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.

The ride leader might increase the size of the ride, especially if they get support from another ride leader. Please don't be put off asking to join the ride if it shows as full.

There are 10 spaces available for the leader and riders. Of these, 7 are left.

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

• 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

I joined PCTC in 1986 and have enjoyed club rides ever since. I have a Mercian touring road bike, a Trek hybrid and a carbon -fibre Specialized Ruby racing bike.
I have on order an electric bike, as I find hills a bit tiring now. My usual average moving speed is 10 to 11mph. If I'm riding in the urban environment and have to keep stopping, or if it's very hilly, my average may drop below 10mph.
Although I used to do a lot of long distance rides (Audax PBP & LEL, S.R. Le JoG, etc.) I generally prefer rides of 30 to 50 miles these days. A refreshment stop is a must!

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.