After a week or two of not being sure I can go, I can disappoint everyone by announcing that I will be going after all
I'll be doing a fords ride out on Saturday......We had a good day out last year and hopefully this year will be as good if not better......
The route isn't finalised and I have some more research to do, but this is the prospective plan.
As always, there will be ways around all of the fords (apart from one which is a very shallow water splash type one) , so you are more than welcome to come along and just watch the fun without getting your tyres wet let alone anything else
(and that means it's suitable for doing two-up, which is what I shall probably be doing)
We'll start at a sensible time on the Saturday morning (To be confirmed but probably around 10.30) and after a short briefing, we'll set off and will be using the Drop-off system (that's what the briefing will cover so don't worry if you haven't used it before)
It's more of a bimble than a fast road ride, and there are some lovely little roads in the area, but we have a distance of around 130 miles to cover + the fords, so I'm expecting to get back to the Hugmoist at around 4 or 5...We'll cut the route short if necessary to do this
1) Goodworth Clatford
This is a nice starter and a good photo op.....it's a ride through, turn round and ride back job.
There was an, ahem, minor incident there last year but we know how to deal with them easily so don't worry too much
2) Longparish
3) Tichbourne
There's a rideable wooden bridge across this one, but it's quite tame
Becky...you've got to do this one yerself this year
4) Exton
It's just by the road so we'll have a look but IIRC this one was a bit deep last year.......or I might just fit my snorkel
5) Droxton
This was my favourite ford of the trip, and second only to Corwen overall I think...it's 180-ish meters long...you ride in one end than ride down the river, popping out at the far end with a stupid grin on your face
6) Lindford
A basic watersplash ford......
7) East Worldham
I'm really not sure about this one...it's a half mile long track that runs up the stream and it's sort of off-road....If any locals know it or have done it, I'd appreciate any info....we may well skip this one but if we don't, I'll have an alternative way around for those who aren't happy doing offroad.
8) Warnborough
There are two nice fords here...sadly, when this pic was taken there was a bit of building work going on but I'm told it's nicer now.....
9 Lower Common
10) Bramshill
There's one that I can't find..it was the last we did last year and I'll see if I can dig it out as it wasn't that far from Andover
The potential route looks like this;
And the possible route is attached (but Subject to change
I'll update in the next week or so, and if anyone has any info on any of the fords it'd be welcome.....
If you haven't done a fords ride before, this should be a good one to do as a starter....A rough idea of how many would like to do it would also be welcome in case I need to pre-book a pub for lunch due to numbers
I'll be doing a fords ride out on Saturday......We had a good day out last year and hopefully this year will be as good if not better......
The route isn't finalised and I have some more research to do, but this is the prospective plan.
As always, there will be ways around all of the fords (apart from one which is a very shallow water splash type one) , so you are more than welcome to come along and just watch the fun without getting your tyres wet let alone anything else
(and that means it's suitable for doing two-up, which is what I shall probably be doing)
We'll start at a sensible time on the Saturday morning (To be confirmed but probably around 10.30) and after a short briefing, we'll set off and will be using the Drop-off system (that's what the briefing will cover so don't worry if you haven't used it before)
It's more of a bimble than a fast road ride, and there are some lovely little roads in the area, but we have a distance of around 130 miles to cover + the fords, so I'm expecting to get back to the Hugmoist at around 4 or 5...We'll cut the route short if necessary to do this
1) Goodworth Clatford
This is a nice starter and a good photo op.....it's a ride through, turn round and ride back job.
There was an, ahem, minor incident there last year but we know how to deal with them easily so don't worry too much
2) Longparish
3) Tichbourne
There's a rideable wooden bridge across this one, but it's quite tame
Becky...you've got to do this one yerself this year
4) Exton
It's just by the road so we'll have a look but IIRC this one was a bit deep last year.......or I might just fit my snorkel
5) Droxton
This was my favourite ford of the trip, and second only to Corwen overall I think...it's 180-ish meters long...you ride in one end than ride down the river, popping out at the far end with a stupid grin on your face
6) Lindford
A basic watersplash ford......
7) East Worldham
I'm really not sure about this one...it's a half mile long track that runs up the stream and it's sort of off-road....If any locals know it or have done it, I'd appreciate any info....we may well skip this one but if we don't, I'll have an alternative way around for those who aren't happy doing offroad.
8) Warnborough
There are two nice fords here...sadly, when this pic was taken there was a bit of building work going on but I'm told it's nicer now.....
9 Lower Common
10) Bramshill
There's one that I can't find..it was the last we did last year and I'll see if I can dig it out as it wasn't that far from Andover
The potential route looks like this;
And the possible route is attached (but Subject to change
I'll update in the next week or so, and if anyone has any info on any of the fords it'd be welcome.....
If you haven't done a fords ride before, this should be a good one to do as a starter....A rough idea of how many would like to do it would also be welcome in case I need to pre-book a pub for lunch due to numbers