We can park in the public car park adjacent to the pub; plenty of room for all of us. From this starting point there are lots of bridleways criss-crossing the line of the dismantled railway that used to link Salisbury with Fordingbridge and then went onwards to link up with the other dismantled railway that ran through Ashley Heath and West Moors; but enough of the history lesson and back to the ride. We can also head up to the Pepperbox folly and follow the tracks towards Dean Hill and all the trails around Whiteparish. All good stuff with some nice hills and the likelihood of mud and slime at this time of the year.

Post-ride pub: TBA

We have ridden from here as a full day ride and as a morning only ride. This visit will be a standard NewForce morning outing. The village of Martin is situated to the south of the A354 road that runs from Salisbury to Blandford Forum. For most of us, the village is probably most easily reached by heading north-west for eight miles or so out of Fordingbridge passing through Sandleheath, Damerham and Tidpit before arriving at Martin. Approaching from this direction, the car park can be found by taking a left turn in the village itself onto a dead end road at the end of which will be found a car park at the foot of Blagdon Hill. We shall meet at this car park and head out for the bridleways and ancient drove roads which criss-cross Cranbourne Chase. This time we shall be heading in the direction of Shaftesbury but the exact route won’t be known until the day.

Post-ride pub: TBA

The best start point is the car park at White Moor at ref SU 275 079 just ½ mile along the road from the pub in the direction of the Portuguese Fireplace or there is a smaller car park just a bit closer to the pub. It worked OK last time we rode from here and if parking is at a premium at the pub afterwards, we could simply leave the cars where they are and walk along the road. Starting from here we have a choice of the Reptilliary, Rhinefield, Bolderwood, Burley, Minstead and so on; all good stuff and just right for working up an appetite.

Post-ride pub: The New Forest Inn

This is the annual Boxing Day outing. There are numerous possibilities from this location. A quick trip through the A31 underpass at Stoney Cross leads to Minstead which opens up the whole of the area around the Canadian Memorial, the Portuguese fireplace and Millyford Bridge, whilst heading out northwards you will find the golf course at Kings Garn Gutter and thus on to Fritham and all that lies beyond. No shortage of opportunities whichever way you look and a variety of hills or rolling fire roads whichever takes your fancy. But nothing too strenuous today, just a chance to ride off the excesses of Christmas.

Post-ride pub: The Sir Walter Tyrell

This is a wonderful location, much under-used by NewFORCe and unjustly so. This is right on the edge of Ringwood Forest which gives onto a labyrinth of gravel fire roads and some interesting woodland single tracks in the forest itself or by going farther afield there is a huge selection of bridleways around Holt Heath and Woodlands to the west whilst going north there is some good quality stuff between Cranborne and Alderholt. Mount Ararat can be tackled from several directions and each attack presents unique opportunities to practice staying upright or just plugging away to get to the top. If you don’t fancy any hill climbing then the tracks around Ringwood Forest itself are very good and holding up well under wheel. The variety and quality will please everyone whichever style of ride you choose.

Post-ride pub: