Verwood Breeze Ride - The Withsbury Wonder

This is a lovely if challenging ride through lovely quiet lanes with gorgeous views and of course the all-important Tea and Cake stop! Starting from Costa in Verwood we’ll ride through to Cripplestyle and then crossing the road to the hamlet of Daggons riding through single track tarmac lanes to the village of Damerham winding our way to through to Rockbourne, a beautiful village famous for its pub, Rose & Thistle, and its Roman Villa. Riding passed the pub, no stopping yet ladies!, we will turn right and ride up ‘a bit of a hill’ on our way to the “Gallops” known for horse training and great walking. Whitsbury is only a stone’s throw away with famous stud farms and lovely homes lining the roads as we drop down through Whitsbury cruising passed the “Cart Wheel Inn”, recommended!, all the way through Brookheath, Tinkers Cross and into Fordingbridge. Mentioned in the Domesday book with Roman and Saxon origins we may stop here for a tea and cake dependent on the weather, if not we pedal our way towards Ringwood, both towns being linked by the river Avon. From Fordingbridge we will ride passed Blissford, South Gorley, Rockford, Hangersley dodging the pony’s as we go! In Ringwood we have the planned Tea and Cake stop and a damn good natter! Returning on the same route as far as Rockford we will turn right into Ibsley and onto Harbridge, riding over the Avon and close to the home of the Earls of Normanton. Again riding single track tarmac lanes with views of the Avon flood plane, reaching from Christchurch to Salisbury, to the edge of Alderholt and then back through to Cripplestyle and home to Verwood with for those that fancy it a Tea in Costa’s. A challenging ride in places with lovey flat stretches in others, great views and quiet roads the total mileage being 37 miles. Please ensure you bike is road worthy with good brakes and tyres in good condition and pumped to the correct pressure, please bring a spare inner tube and or puncture kit etc just in case! Helmets and bright clothing are a must and a rear light, even in daylight is recommended