Hot in Hampshire – the Test Valley Tour

It has been a long time ambition of mine to ride in the Test Valley. The Hampshire countryside didn't disappoint: the villages were quaintly thatch-rooved, the roads devoid of traffic and the views far-reaching.
 
Monika, Phil and I met up early to register for a 9.00 start in warm sunshine. Whilst we started together, the first meaningful hill and the red mist had us part company for a solitary but very enjoyable ride for each of us.
 
For once the weather was on our side and I was just congratulating myself after six speedy miles on picking a dry experience when the route had us plunge into Collingbourne Wood. The forest canopy harboured trails that were still sodden from the previous day's thunderstorms. So we slipped and slurped along four or five miles of muddy porridge in the leafy gloom. There were some potentially fast and furious sections but not for us today.
 
On emerging into the sunshine again and onto a dry flinty surface, I decided to forgo the 80k route as it meant another turn in the wood – Monika had also come to the same conclusion! 
 
The rest of the Tour fairly zipped along broad gritty trails, through empty hamlets and deserted roads. Monika completed the 50k in 3 hrs 36 mins, I made it in 3 hrs 47 mins and Phil in 4 hours 35 mins.
 
Gorrick had put together a superbly organised event. The signage was excellent; easy to spot at junctions and with oodles of those 'comfort' ribbons hanging from the foliage. And best of all there was plenty of cake at the end.
 
Fran
 
Event / Article Type
MTB-TEST VALLEY TOUR - HOT CHALLENGE OFFROAD
Warm and sunny in the Test valley