White Horse Historical Tour

[Clive]

While taking the scenic non-motorway routes to work I've been reminded of some of the "places of interest" on the way...

Uffington White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/uffington.html

Barbury Castle http://www.swindon.gov.uk/barbury

Hackpen White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/hackpen.html

The Sanctuary http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=3447

Silbury Hill http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=145

Avebury Stone Circle http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7

Cherhill White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/cherhill.html

Devizes White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/devizesnew.html

Caen Hill Locks http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Caen_Hill_Locks

Westbury White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/westbury.html

Stonehenge http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/enter.html

Woodhenge http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/woodhenge.html

Alton Barnes White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/altonbarnes.html

Pewsey White Horse http://wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/pewseynew.html

Crofton Beam Engines http://www.croftonbeamengines.org/about.html

Wilton Windmill http://www.arsharpe.co.uk/wiltonWindmill/

and some bits of the Ridgeway of course

Combining these in a circular route starting and ending at Hungerford, takes around 4 hours (plus viewing stops/breaks) and covers approx 170 miles.

For me, Sundays are in short supply at present so I am aiming for Sunday 23rd July 2006, around 10.00am.

Anyone else interested in tagging along ?

 

[Shep]

Sounds good too me, I had a look at the diary and i've got a highlite on the 23rd but no info so it may be ok

I'll confirm nearer the time

Shep

 

[nick]

Looks interesting, but Hungerford is not really South East - is it ?

I have not plotted the locations, but can't you start/finish closer to London

 

[Shep]

Looks interesting, but Hungerford is not really South East - is it ?

I have not plotted the locations, but can't you start/finish closer to London

By the look of the locations, Hungerford is nearly as far east as it gets, anyway it'll get you city boys a bit of fresh air for a change

Shep

 

[JediJase]

Sounds good to me. But where is Hungerford?

Jase

 

[Clive]

Looks interesting, but Hungerford is not really South East - is it ?

It's in Berkshire and events that start in Berkshire are normally posted in South East

I have not plotted the locations, but can't you start/finish closer to London

Most of them are in Wiltshire with at least one in Oxfordshire (Uffington).
I'll guess I ought to post a heads-up in South West

 

[Clive]

Sounds good to me. But where is Hungerford?

Out in the sticks

South of Junction 14 of the M4

 

[Blowzorn]

Weekends are out for me.
But I'm up for a Ridgeway run to Avebury any week day evening.
How about next Tuesday/Wednesday?

 

[Clive]

The basic route...

 

[Clive]

But I'm up for a Ridgeway run to Avebury any week day evening.
How about next Tuesday/Wednesday?

All of the Oxfordshire section (i.e. the main bit) is now illegal.
There is still the Wiltshire section and a number of linking Byways near Avebury (hope you like ruts!).
I can't make Tuesday - what time could you be at (say) M4 Junction 15 (Swindon East) on Wednesday evening?

 

[Blowzorn]

what time could you be at (say) M4 Junction 15 (Swindon East) on Wednesday evening?

I can get away from work anytime from 16:00hrs.
Assuming J15 is approx 40 mins from Heathrow lets say 17:00hrs to be on the safe side.
What's the track like?

 

[Dahoum]

Sorry Clive - I'll be on me hols

 

[Clive]

I can get away from work anytime from 16:00hrs.
Assuming J15 is approx 40 mins from Heathrow lets say 17:00hrs to be on the safe side.
What's the track like?

I'll probably be working in Bath next Wednesday so can we make it 18:00hrs - once off at J15 take first left towards Marlborough - approx 1/2 mile on the right there is a petrol station - meet there?
EDIT (it's about here http://www.multimap.com/map/browse....m=0&scale=10000&multimap.x=238&multimap.y=167)

As part of the running-in process I took the 1200Adv from Avebury - Chiseldon last week - the track has been "repaired" in places, some chalky bits flattened and other bits gravelled over, however there are still a number of deep ruts (which can be avoided in the main). The Byway from Barbury Castle towards Marlborough isn't too bad - has some interesting deep puddles. There are a few others that I've not ridden (or haven't ridden since last summer) that we may be able to have a peek at
Might even be able to spot my Tax Disc somewhere

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I had to rescue a drowning mountain biker from the first 'puddle' on the Barbury Castle to Marlborough stretch 6 weeks ago


Tis a tad deeper than it looks

 

[Clive]

I had to rescue a drowning mountain biker from the first 'puddle' on the Barbury Castle to Marlborough stretch 6 weeks ago

I can well believe it - I got caught out on an earlier bit of the Ridgeway with a "puddle" that was much deeper than it looked - I had a good poke around with a stick when I got to "Barbury Lake" - and then went around it like everyone else appeared to have done anyway - hardcore

 

[Blowzorn]

I'll probably be working in Bath next Wednesday so can we make it 18:00hrs - once off at J15 take first left towards Marlborough - approx 1/2 mile on the right there is a petrol station - meet there?

Sounds like a plan Clive.
See you at 18:00

Paul

 

[Blowzorn]

PS. Have got Tourances on the 1200 at the moment, so will probably come on the appropriately shod 1150.

 

[Pumpy]

... so I am aiming for Sunday 23rd July 2006, around 10.00am.

Sorry to interrupt your conversation about next Wednesday - but I am definitely interested in the Historical Tour. Great idea, Clive.

Any fords involved?

 

[Clive]

Any fords involved?

Not really

Although

and

are not far from Hungerford so I'm game if you are

Glad you can make it.

 

[carcher2k]

I'm game!

I'll be back from my Europe tour by then.

Will confirm nearer the time