South Downs Way, Amberley to QE Park

As autumn drew in we felt the need for a new challenge, with no September France trip or a trip to Wales riding motivation was low, what could we do? Well living on the south coast the obvious answer was to do a larger part of the South Downs Way! The plan was to catch the train to Amberly and cycle back to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, then road it back to Denmead, easy...?

On Friday the 16th of November I set off at 7:30am to meet up with Florance on top of Ports Down Hill, from there we rode down to Havant to meet Greg and Pritchard. The train bit was dead easy; one change at Barnham saw us arrive at a very murky Amberley.

We headed out of the station full of enthusiasm and swiftly found ourselves on the South Downs Way, and then we climbed... And climbed.... And climbed! The heavy mist gave us a 50ft bubble giving no indication of our location, and worse making it difficult to read the terrain and set a proper pace on the climbs. The ground was also incredibly wet, making the terrain very draggy and lowering the pace.

First puncture of the day went to Pritchard as we exited Slindon estate by Bell's Bench. 

We solider on and actually start enjoying the ride as we head down in to Cocking. Here we wait for Pritchard to catch up, it's been a while so Florance mans up and goes to look for him. When they both return Pritchard has thrown the towel in, he is beaten, and he has arranged to be picked up. It's a massive shame, we all new it would be hard and we really wanted to complete together. We now press on as a three...

Our next goal is Harting, an area we know well but getting there is hard. I notice Greg's front tyre is hissing but we press on and make Harting Down before it needs fixing.

As we reach the end of the down as massive wave of relief covers us, we are now on familiar territory, we know these hills, there is light at the end of the tunnel.Finally we reach QE Park, unfortunately it's just turned 4pm and the cafe is shut, so we push on to the Hampshire Hog for some emergency peanuts.

From here its road back via Clanfield, it now hurts so much I’m riding on auto-pilot and we get back to Denmead at 5pm.What a day, certainly not enjoyable like a summer evening blast. It was a challenge like no other, I can honestly say it was the hardest ride I have ever done.

Road trip: Pass Portes du Soleil 2012

This year’s road trip was to the Pass Portes du Soleil, this would actually be our third attempt to complete it.
Our first trip was 2007, we started in Les Gets, lost loads of time Torgon and made it back to Morzine, just after the last lift left… 2010 saw our second attempt with a new strategy, this time starting in Les Lindarets gave us a figure of eight loop so it would be easier for people to drop out if needed. This time we missed Torgon but wasted a lot of time on the Champery route which was a road, coupled with the weekend traffic and very busy lifts we decided not to include Les Gets and at Morzine we headed back… So we had unfinished business, but with the organisers opening up Friday we saw the opportunity to do the loop without the busy weekend traffic.

Five of us made the trip this year, Chris, Paul, Greg, Si and I, we headed off on the Tuesday night (26^th June) on the overnight ferry from Portsmouth and landed in France 7am local time. After a day’s driving we hit the campsite in Les Gets at around 5pm.

The team HQ...

The view from the camp site...

Thursday was our first day of riding and we headed up the Chavannes lift and rode to Morzine. Si's enthusiasm catch's up with him and he bins it on a fire road, hes fine so we push on to Morzine. When we got there we were disappointed to see that the Super Morzine lift was closed, so we returned back to Les Gets for some lunch. A couple of runs in Les Gets with some disappointing gopro footage (camelback strap flapping in the way!) a quick burn back to Morzine then back to the campsite for a BBQ.

Pritchard, Chris, me (riding), Les Gets red

Greg, Les Gets red

Friday came and we drove to Les Lindarets to sign on, I am number 1124!

From Les Lindarets we headed up the Chaux Fleurie lift then followed the trail around the mountain, I love this trail, very fast and flowing with plenty of jumps.At the bottom its straight up the de la Chaux des-Rosees lift. At the top there was plenty of snow and where there wasn’t, it was extremely rocky. From here is an incredible run all the way to Chatel, its very rocky and technical, here the rider makes the difference and it is extremely fast…

A quick stop at the Chatel feeding station then up the Super Chatel lift, only to come down a fire road to meet the road climb over the Swiss border to Morgins.

Chatel style....

Next is the Folleuse lift to the top, there are some super crazy trails on this hill with lots of wood work – only the brave need apply! At the top is down a field to a gravel fire road to Champoussin.

Up the Aiguille Champeys lift you are greeted with a climb up the top, around a small goat path around the mountain. I got stuck behind two British guys on cheap hard tails here, fair play for riding the event on bike like this, but there bikes must have been hard work… On this trail we took the downhill diversion to Les Crosets rather than the road loop to Champery.

Lifts are not cheating!

Up the Mossettes-Suisse lift then the trail loops around the mountain, then there is a little snow/ mud bath, I motor through it but Paul falls off! The track then heads down a rocky path then over a ‘moor’ like section with a few climbs, Chris is on fire here and is really flowing. I am riding with a French rider who goes down, I stop to check he is OK but he dusts himself down, smiles and we both take off again. Things start to get rocky then its downhill all the way back to Les Linarets. We gave ourselves a time limit of 3.30 to get back to Les Lindarets if we wanted to complete the loop. Today we are fast and we are actually 2hrs ahead of schedule!

its me!

At the feeding station Greg throws the towel in, so it’s now just Chris, Paul, Si and me. We take the Linarets lift up to Avoriaz.

From here is the least enjoyable section a linking section to the top of the Morzine switchbacks. The switchbacks are very technical and very demanding, but ultimately huge fun!

At Morzine we take the Pleney lift and ride to Les Gets, still feeling actually pretty good.

Les Gets... High in, fast out or too fast in, slow out, I'm not sure... :-)

Back up the Chavannes lift and heading back to Morzine when I notice my back brake starting to be a little vocal. We stop and I whip the pads out, one side the compound is burnt out and the blue paint is completely torched! A fresh set of BBB pads and we fly back in to Morzine.

We take the Super-Morzine lift all the way to the top; the boring linking path leads to a brilliant run back to Les Lindarets. This run is rocky and very technical; again a good rider excels here although we are all very tired we have a fantastic run down.

We get back to the Les Lindarets feeding station basking in our own glory of not only completing the route, but smashing 2 hrs of our previous best time. We grab a free beer and relax…

fin!

Mmmmm beer... 

That night we hit Les Gets for a superb Pizza and a beer, then sleep.

The next day we de-camp and head to our next destination at Les Deux Alpes. The sat nav takes us over the Col de Glandon, which was an experience… We set up camp in Venosc, get a lift pass and head up to Les Duex Alpes.

Unfortunately it’s very windy, hardly any lifts are open and the only one we can get on is the ‘Marmot’ hill Vallee Blanche. When we get to the top we are told its closing because of the wind. We line up the blue run and let a lot of riders go before us because they all look a little ‘pro’, we needn’t of worried as we smoke most of them on the way down..

Next we head down the run to Venosc, our favourite… My hands are hurting after all the riding so I elect to follow Paul, so I can enjoy the run rather than push myself. It was a good call as to thirds down my left hand crank arm comes of my bike…. The last third of the mountain I ride seated and one footed…

busted, but it was user error....

Back at the camp I realize I assembled the bb in 68mm confirmation when the bikes bb is 73mm. I made this mistake after the frame was replaced under warranty and the manufacture changed the bb size from 68mm to 73mm and I didn’t notice… Anyway I re-assembled the b/b with a new crank bolt and its fine.

We check the weather and Les Duex Alpes is getting worse so we make the call and pack up early and head up to Normandy where we stay the night. The next day (Monday) we do a small ride, which is muddy and very tiring, but at least it’s not raining. We head back to the ferry and catch the 5 o’clock sailing and home.

the bomber team #55

Although it all went wrong (weather and mechanical) in Les Deux Alpes, the Pass Portes was superb. This year I feel I rode the best I have ever done and I enjoyed every second of the 80km Pass Portes route. Will we go back now we have completed it? Absolutely 100% I will be back!

Garmin GPS data from Paul

GPS route data from Paul

"Upham Epic", a old school XC loop

Upham Epic (and short Upham) are rides we did when we did a lot company rides. Its about 20 miles round and should take about 2 - 2.5hrs. Its a bit of an old school XC type of ride, but we still like to do it at least once a year. - images to be added...



Park by Upham duck pond, there is plenty of space.
Head out on the road with the farm on your right, head down the hill to Bigpath Farm. Look for the track on your right that runs just left of a barn.
Head up the path, stay on track. Steep climb up pig shit hill, keep on path to the end.
At three way road junction turn left, look for path on right.
Follow path downhill to road, turn left downhill to T junction, and turn left.
As road turns left take gravel track on right, as you get near a house keep left. Follow copse until end, cross filed on path; enter small copse follow to the end gate at the road.
Turn right, climb hill, small descent on road turn left at bottom at St Clairs Farm.
Road climb all the way to the top of Beacon Hill, at junction turn left follow rd around the corner to pick up the South Downs Way.
Follow SDW all the way to Wind Farm and back on the road. Turn left keep on SDW.
At the Millburys PH turn right then left follow SDW. Downhill on the road, then on to the dirt track, follow SDW.
Past Holden Farm, cross A272, be careful.

Follow SDW/ Kings Way to Keepers cottage, (it’s a farm and it usually smells a bit…), turn left (still SDW, climb. When path ends at gate, go through and climb to Cheesefott Head.
Turn left on to A272, at corner turn left on to Kings Way (Warren Lane). Head down, when path turns left, ignore it and keep going straight on to gate, go through.
Look for track on the right side of the path that goes straight ahead, take it. Fats track, be careful of roots. At bottom, keep going straight, climb to road.
Cross road, climb. At top keep straight, edge of field. Fast downhill, carful for 90 degree corner at bottom. Follow to road.
Cross road in to trench, follow, keep straight all the way to the road. Turn right.
Follow road, turn left. Take second dirt track on the right.
Climb to shoulder, turn right, climb and take the first left.
Follow track until it runs out and heads back to the road.
Turn left and head back to the car.
Pub Check: Brush Makers Arms, Upham. Great food, gest busy, and has visits from Morris dancers…

QECP - back of, quick loop

This is a nice quick loop starting from the back of QECP but it’s easy to add sections on to extend it. It also takes in one of the longest descents in the area.
Park at the back car park as it’s free!
Head east along the road on the South Downs Way, its just a short climb up the road look for the gate on your right at the crest of the road climb.
Enter through the gate a climb up in to Head Down Plantation.
Keep heading south along the fire road – this is just crying out for some singletrack... one day...**
At the end of the fire road cross in to the field directly in front, keep going until you meet the road.

Turn left on to road and ride about 100m, past the Armco and look for the bridleway on your right.Take bridleway climb and keep climbing until you re-meet the road at Charlton, turn right on to road.
Turn right on the Staunton Way.
Climb all the way to the sty at the forest – back to QECP!

Cross the sty, head right and follow path around.Keep on this top path (don’t lose height) and keep going straight until you meet the MTB course. There are now various options for you...
In this ride we turn left on to the start of the final section, short climb to the final downhill.
Take the downhill all the way to the new switch back section, which was completely built by volunteers*

At the bottom take the main track east, short climb then back down to the car park.
Done

*Get involved, check out there facebook page here 
** 16/10/2015 head down was re-devolved in to an enduro hot spot back in 2012/13 for the QECP Enduro, so you can now follow some awesome singletrack down to the bottom.

Road Trip: Suisse Normande 2011

In September we packed the van and headed off across the channel to France, more specifically the area known as 'Suisse Normande'.
Suisse Normande lies roughly 25km south of Caen, along the gorge of the River Orne, and consists of 27 marked routes with over 600kms of cycling. Each route is graded from green, blue, red, black, with black being an XC nightmare! All of the trails are more XC orientated as the tracks pretty much either go up or down, however there are some cracking trails out there and some really testing DH runs, but you got to know where to look.
Data supplied by Greg and his iphone. Average speed is a little low, but I put this down to 1, a lot of climbing... and 2, when riding in a group there is inevitably a lot of stopping. The highest speed was clocked on a cycle computer at 43mph.

Day 1, Grimbosq Forrest.
Just north of Thury Harcuort, we discovered the forrest as part of RED 7 (GR36) loop. There are some fantastic singletrack runs here, with the first running parallel to the main path. For the next great singletrack run you need to follow GR36 over the northern stream and climb up the other side. This is worth riding a couple of times as it is very, very good. To finish double back along the singletrack and take the BLACK run back down to the river, it’s very steep!

suisse normande from DanJones34 on Vimeo.

Day 2, the Epic.
A point to point ride from Thury to Clecy. The highlights are climbing to the top of the gorge to the para glider launch then the DH BLACK run to the bottom. The return starts with a gentle ride along the Orne to the biggest climb... be warned its a monster. Once at the Church it’s pretty much DH all the way to Thury, ending in a rocky technical DH that rules...

stunning views

Ride: ‘Point to Point’, Thury-Harcourt to Clecy and back Date: 24 Sep 2011 9:08 amDistance: 21.1 milesElapsed Time: 4:31:41Avg.
Speed: 4.7 mphMax. S
peed: 34.7 mphAvg.
Pace: 12' 53" per mile

Day 3, RED 25.
Starting at Rouvrou and great XC loop with testing climbs and DH runs, eventually climbing to the stunning viewpoint at La Roche d’Oetre. Highlights are the ultra tech rocky DH singletrack and the very fast DH fire road back in to Rouvrou.

ready to go!!!!

Ride: Rouvrou loop
Date: 25 Sep 2011 9:03 am
Distance: 9.78 miles
Elapsed Time: 2:10:32
Avg. Speed: 4.5 mph
Max. Speed: 26.5 mph
Avg. Pace: 13' 21" per mile

Day 3, afternoon, RED 23. Medium climb, all on the road, bonkers downhill back to the river.

Ride: Pont-d’Ouilly loop
Date: 25 Sep 2011 12:52 pm
Distance: 4.85 miles
Elapsed Time: 1:13:26
Avg. Speed: 4.0 mph
Max. Speed: 34.5 mph
Avg. Pace: 15' 09" per mile
Day 4, Le Billot.
Local ride (to where we were staying) that always seems to be muddy, no matter what the weather. Great downhill of the plateau, killer climb back up.

Ride: Le Billot loopDate: 26 Sep 2011 8:26 amDistance: 5.86 milesElapsed Time: 1:21:38Avg. Speed: 4.3 mphMax. Speed: 27.7 mphAvg. Pace: 13' 55" per mile

the team

go ride!

 

Denmead to Old Winchester Hill loop

Denmead to Old Winchester Hill loop: ride time around 2 1/2 to 3hrs depending on conditions/ fitness.
Start in Denmead village in the Kidmore lane car park opposite the Lucky Star Chinese takaway. Head north in to Kidmore lane and take the first right in to Tanners Lane.
Follow Tanners which will lead in to White Horse Lane (do not turn off main lane), follow until cross roads.
At the cross roads head in to the Bridleway directly in front, this is a gentle climb over Sawyer’s Hill with a little cheeky decent that can be taken flat out. At the bottom there is a cross road with Harrrowgate lane.
Head up Horsepost Lane directly in front of you. At first junction keep right. Second junction keep left. Left at Glidden Farm, follow road until fork, take the left fork.
At the cross roads at the bottom of the hill turn left (you can go straight on up the road, but that’s dull!) and take the bridle way on your right at the end of the hedge – follow across field until you end up back at the road.
Turn left, short road climb, turn right on to bridleway past Beckless Farm. Follow bridleway down to the T junction, turn right. Follow road turn left at T junction,  follow road turn right on to track at the corner.
Follow climb all the way to the road, turn right, short rise to the main road (if you can call it that...), turn left. Ride to the road to the nature reserve, cut in at the first signed gate for ‘Old Winchester Hill’.
Take South Downs Way to your left, follow track all the way to the view point. Now here is the tricky part, ‘officially’ just follow the SDW, ‘unofficially’ take the foot path... Beware I wouldn't recommend doing this if it looks busy with walkers as you are going to get moaned at...

 By taking the footpath directly over it links in to a short DH on the over side leading to a gate. On the other side of the gate keep bombing down until you pick the sign for the SDW on your LEFT.

Take SDW, follow it all the way down to the old train track – this run down is really good fun, enjoy!
On the old Alton to Wickham train track head SOUTH...

Follow the old track for 7kms to 100 Acres Forest. You enter to your left just before the road bridge.
Head in a south-east direction until you get the car park and the road. Don’t worry too much here all tracks lead up...
At the road turn left then look for the car park entrance on the right hand side of the road. Ride in and keep going straight and you will hook up on a bath that leads down to a brook.
Turn right at the brook (don’t cross the bridge) and follow the winding brook until the path naturally crosses it, keep on this path, climb until in opens up at a cross roads.
Head straight across, climb until T junction, turn right, and climb to the main visitor’s car park at ‘West walk’. Ride out of the car park and look for the gate across the road to your left, go through the gate.
This side is sandy so can be hard work when its very dry. Follow path down, watch out for the sharp left at the bottom of the hill.
Follow track up to T junction, turn right, follow and take the next right, follow until gate and road, turn right on to road.
Follow road until the social club on your left, take foot path immediately before it. Ride down the field to the gate and enter the Goathouse Copse.
Follow track until T junction. There is a muddy section here with a plank walkway, see how far you can get riding on it...!
At junction turn left follow it all the way until the road at ‘Shoothill Lodge. Head down past the Horse and Jockey pub, turn right at the Chairmakers and turn right again.
Turn left in to Creech Woods at the gate, take either track heading east all the way to ‘Bunkers hill’.
At road turn left down to the roundabout, straight over and head towards the village centre, at T junction turn left, past the Co-op to the car park.
Fin!

Kingley Vale Loop

In my opinion this is probably the best ride in the area. It has a good mix of climbing, descents and technical riding to keep things interesting – a good level of fitness + skill is needed.
Park in the lay-by on the B2146 / Walderton turning or if you are planning of a pub visit you can use the car park at the Barley Mo.
Head though the village and take the first bridle bath on the right.
Ride up the bridle path until you see a fence directly in front of you, ride through the gap on the left hand side and head left up the climb.
As the climb levels look for the path on the right, take it and ride up to the ruin and turn left.
Follow the climb all the way to the top, there will be a little down (field on left) and the path follows the field around the end, little climb first right.
Follow the track straight on to the humps. It’s worth riding up on top of the humps as the views on a nice day are spectacular with views across Chichester harbour.

 Keep on the main path until you come to a cross roads, turn left, small rise then a flat out descent down to the main path.
You will now be at a quite big cross roads (long Barrows on the map), take the western path at the edge of the field, but look directly right for the start of ‘Spruce’s singletrack’.

Follow Sprucey’s until it runs out, turn left and follow singletrack.
This joins up with a purpose built DH track built superbly by a local called 'Spud', everything is ride-able, however the faster you go the higher the likelihood of your wheels leaving the ground! Enjoy...

 
At the bottom there is a Y fork, take the left ‘Y’ then look for the track on your left and take it.
This track has a couple of climbs and cross roads but  you need to push on until you reach the T junction.
Turn left down the hill all the way to the gate/ road.

Turn right follow the road and pick up the diagonal track on your left – granny ring time..

At the top of the very steep climb it will open up into a field, take the track in the corner in front of you.
Follow over the shallow rise, across the ‘top track’ cross roads and take the singletrack on your right.
Follow the singletrack for about 5 mins and turn right to cut back to the top tack – the singletrack runs parrelel.
Heading back to the top track turn left and follow, there will be a fence/ tree obsticle, just ride round it and keep streight on.
Look for the singletrack on right, take it. This opens up to a field, just push on and tank it. At the end of the field just wiggle round the hedge over to the next field – keep streight.
At the end of the field go through the hedge, cross road and through the hedge on the other side – keep streight.
Halfway through this field there will be a gap between this field and the field on your right – switch to the field on the right.
Follow the field and pick the foot path up behind the houses, take alleyway to the road and turn left.
Follow down to the main road and turn right, past the pub back to the car.
Pub Stop: The Barley Mo is a traditional English country pub with great beer and food. The home made beef burger is a must!

                                    

Straight outta Compton

Ride time 1 ½ to 2hrs depending on track condition. When its dry this ride is fast... enjoy!
Start at the car park at the back of QE park.
Head east on the South Downs way all the way to Harting.
*Diversion, half the way from Foxcombe Cotages and B2146 look for the foot path on the right, this is the ‘Garlic Alley’ singletrack. Follow Garlic Alley until it finishes in a field, take the higher field (to the left) follow the edge around (it climbs to the left) until the gate, climb over and ride the road back to the South Downs Way.

Head east on the South Downs Way, climb to Harting.

Cross the B2141 rd and cross over to the viewpoint at Harting, cross the car park to the entrance and look for the path on the left side, you will have a gentle climb through the copse to reach it.

Start of the singletrack.

Follow the singletrack – very fast, routed in places but flowing – until you follow a field on your left with a barbed wire fence, at the end of the field cut back in to the right.
Cross the road, follow round to the left then pick up the main track on your right. You will go through a farm gate with a house on your right.
Follow the single track bridle path to your right until it opens up to an equestrian course.
Keep the field on your right and push on until you come to the cross roads.
Cross over and take the right fork, crank it up here for some speed!
Follow path until a T junction with a sharp right turn, the path then opens up to a road and we are at Compton.
For the brave there is the Coach and Horses pub stop here, the beer is superb!

At the pub head north on the main road ‘straight out of Compton’
Take the first road on your left then the first on the right for Cowdown Farm.
This road leads in to Cowdown Lane, more commonly known as ‘Gas Lamp Alley’. Keep on Gas Lamp Alley with the final descent down to the railway taken at maximum attack...
At the end of the track take the first right before the train track, this road leads to Ditcham Park School. When you get to the school keep left and ride the road around it, when you exit the school stay on the road.
Take the first left track you see around the edge of the field, this has lots of tree roots so good technique is a must, exiting the track turn right.
Follow path and take the first left, this will lead to a cross road, straight over.
This track leads down Coulters Dean, there is a gate halfway down so one of the riding group needs to go down first to open it for his or her buddies – by doing so the rest of the group can take the whole descent at maximum attack!
The track leads back to the South Downs Way, turn left on to it and follow back to the car park.

Denmead to Butser loop.

Denmead to Butser loop: ride time around 1 1/2 to 2hrs depending on conditions/ fitness.

Start in Denmead village in the Kidmore lane car park opposite the Lucky Star Chinese takaway.

Head north in to Kidmore lane and take the first right in to Tanners Lane.
Follow Tanners which will lead in to White Horse Lane (do not turn off main lane), follow until cross roads.
At the cross roads head in to the Bridleway directly in front, this is a gentle climb over Sawyer’s Hill with a little cheeky decent that can be taken flat out.

At the bottom there is a cross road with Harrrowgate lane.
Head up Horsepost Lane directly in front of you. At first junction keep right. Second junction keep right. Follow lane (ignore footpath!) to T junction, turn right.
Follow Monarch’s Way down to Scotland Farm at road turn left, then right at the Bat and Ball on the main Hambledon road and head for Clanfield.
At T junction (in Clanfield) tuen left follow the main road past the Rising Sun and take the left hand turning in to Petersfield lane.
Follow the road past the house on the left to pick up Thieves Lane, this is the start of the Butser Hill climb!
Follow track through the copse to a small chalky rutted decent, at the bottom of the decent take the opening directly in front of you to North Lane, turn right.
Climb North Lane to the cross roads at the top and turn left on to the South Downs Way.

Follow South Downs way until the road at Hyden Cross, turn left down the hill on the road.
Follow the road through Hyden Wood, pay extra attention for entry to Green Lane* on your right hand side. *Green Lane can be taken at maximum attack, be careful of the entrance as this turns in to a jump at speed. There are lots of berms and natural lips/ roots to jump off, have fun!
Follow Green Lane past the cross tracks all the way to the main Hambledon to Clanfield road.
Cross to the road directly in front of you and take the first turning on your right to Murder Mile!
Follow Murder Mile down to the road by the tennis court – you can also ride this pretty much flat out!
At road cross directly over follow track, which opens up to cross a field to the road.
Follow the road for about 100m to the entrance of Harrowgate Lane directly in front of you.
Follow the track all the way to Kidmore lane cross roads and turn left. *Diversion: On Harrowgate Lane head back up Horespost Lane and turn left on to Pitt Hill Lane, follow to road and turn left on to Kidmore Lane.
Follow Kidmore lane up the sharp hill, over the cross roads all the way back to the car park.
Beer Stop: When back in Denmead you have the choice of the Forest Of Bere or the Wight Hart. The Forest of Bere is a more traditional style pub with a curry house on the side. The Wight Hart is more family oriented with a nice beer garden and good quality pub style food.

 Key: Thick red line = road, thin red line = off road. Pink = diversion.