10:00 Sunday 7th January 2018
We have ridden from here a few times as a starting point for Boxing Day ride but of course that time slot is at the Drift this season (see previous entry). It can be a bit cold at this time of year, so be sure to arrive prepared for a Spartan experience and kitted out in appropriate clothing.
There are a number of options from this starting point but it is possible to ride southwards along the Itchen Navigation where it passes St Catherine’s Hill before turning eastwards up Plague Pits Valley, then onwards along the Dongas tracks for Hazeley Down, Morestead, and Cheesefoot Head and the South Downs Way, Milbury’s Inn and the general area near Cheriton. Or, we could choose to take the other direction, up Compton Down, around the fringes of Flowerdown, West Wood Farley and other points of note.
Whichever route we end up taking, the Queen Inn offers a warm welcome on our return.
Post Ride Pub: The Queen Inn, Kingsgate Road