(ref SU 176 160)
Directions to the start point are to get to the Fighting Cocks pub at Godshill just east of Fordingbridge, and then follow the road to the side of the pub. It goes downhill and through a ford before climbing up the other side of the valley. The road twists sharply at the top of the hill and the car park is right at this location.
From here sensible choices are southwards towards Pitts Wood and Hampton Ridge, Hasely, Holly Hatch and Linwood or northwards through Godshill Inclosure, Hale, Bohemia, Lover and maybe up towards the Pepperbox or looping back eastwards via Bramshaw Telegraph.
BURLEY – Oakley –car park and forest area (ref SU 223 044)
Although this start point is geographically close to the Verely Hill car park of the 21st January ride, that gave easy access to all points west and south of Burley whereas today’s start point gives easy access to all points north and east of Burley and is predominantly woodland instead of heathland, so an equally varied and interesting ride is ensured.
So in that vein, we have opportunities to discover Burley New Inclosure, Knightwood, Ornamental Drive, Bolderwood, Burley Outer Rails, Old House and many other staple parts of the NewForce diet.
LINFORD BOTTOM near Ringwood (ref SU 182 072) (What3Words – memo.rats.skillet)
If you are coming from the Southampton direction, take the A31 westwards all the way to Ringwood. At the bottom of Poulner Hill you take the slip road off and turn back towards Southampton, get on the eastbound side of the dual carriageway and go back up Poulner Hill again. When you get almost to the top of the hill, there is a nursery/garden centre on the left. Go past this and then take the next turn left onto a narrow side road to head towards Hangersley and Shobley and ultimately to the car park at Linford Bottom. The routes available are across Rockford Common, Linwood, Ibsley Common and on towards Abbots Well or perhaps southwards via the underpass at Picket Post towards Burley Street, Dur Hill, Bisterne Common and Holmsley.
A dry period will give you a mixture of rutted horse-hoof stutter or dry sand that challenges directional control and needs a good push on the pedals whereas a wet, soggy period will give you a squelching, slippery track surface or a gritty grinding paste guaranteed to make you rush to the shop for new brake pads next morning. You will also need to pedal with a bit more vigour over this terrain. At this time of the year there is no guaranteeing which way the dice will fall.