Basingstoke: Lap of the town! (mostly cycle paths/ on quiet road)

This is not really a road/racer bike ride due to the bumpy and potentially leafy surfaces on some sections in War Memorial Park etc but suitable for anything else with fatter tyres or if you don't mind a few bumps and being careful on a road bike you can bring it - especially if it's dry! The route will be similar to this though we will go via the on road cycle path on Winklebury Way for a short stretch rather than along the other side of the Park. We will meet outside the Hockey Club. The bar should be open afterwards for hot and cold drinks/snacks. We will head to Hatch Warren then follow the cycle path into town using part of National Cycle Route 23. Then we can do a short loop of the town parks again on cycle paths then head west towards Winklebury via Houndmills on more cycle ways and back via old Kempshott Lane. Lights on your bike is a legal requirement on the road front and back plus you need to be able to see particularly coming back! The route is around 12 miles and we want to do it in around 1hr 20 mins so it is not a faster ride. It is suitable for those who have done some of the Popley Trail rides for example or for those faster riders who want to be social or experience a night ride as it will get dark on the way back! All the roads we are on will be streetlit. I will have a really bright mountain bike light so that will light the path I will try bring a spare. Do wear clothing that is as garishly hi-viz as possible although I will have a stock of hi viz vests we can use so all welcome. Any questions please let us know queries etc [email protected] or follow/comment on facebook.com/breezingstoke or twitter @breezingstoke Happy cycling! Ruth Don’t forget…. Breeze  are on a mission to spread the word about their rides, and need your help. If you introduce one friend who goes on to take part in a Breeze ride, you’ll receive a Breeze water bottle, introduce a second friend, you’ll be the proud owner of one of their swish Breeze Buffs, and introduce a third friend and Breeze will send you £15 of Love2Shop vouchers. Read the article on the homepage for more information.