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Cycling to the north of Southampton and around
Andover. My longest Trip so far that leads into the hills north
of Andover with some challenging climbs.
Starting from Highfield Campus cycle north over the Avenue to Candler's
Ford. At the first round about turn west in order to bypass the
village on Knightwood Road. After leaving it turn west again onto
Hook Road and follow the A3090 till Ampfield (40/23). Going on north
Clypit Road brings the first off road experience crossing Ampfield
Woods. At the junction with Dores Lane in Lower Slackstead (40/25)
turn right and follow it till Berrydown Farm (40/28). From there
a cycle path leads to the top of Farley Mount with a nice view over
the surrounding hills. The cycling path follows on trough West Wood
and heads north till it reaches the lovely village of Crawley (43/35).
Who had a look at the Winchester trip has probably realized, that
till now the way was identical but in Crawley keep going on north
instead of turning west. Use the cycling trail behind the Church,
that zigzags north and leaves the Winchester map along the Roman
Road (42/40). After Bransbury follow the A303 northwards and leave
it immediately for Middleton (43/44). There turn left and follow
the bridleway till reaching the B3400 from where small roads lead
to Aspley Farm (42/48). Keep going northwards on a net of C Roads
to St. Merry Born (42/50) and take there the Withchurch cycling
path to Crux Easton (43/56). Shortly after the village turn west
and use C roads again to get over a lot of hills to Linkenholt (36/58),
the norhtest point of this trip. A combination of off and on road
cycling leads via Upton to Hungerford Lane (34/53) which heads south
in a straight line. After passing Charlton Down Farm use the streets
in the north and west of Andover to get to Monxton (31/44). Over
Broad Road Kentsboro can be reached from where the cycling path
to Longstock (36/37) leaves. After crossing the Test River follow
the A 3057 to Stockbridge and from there the Test Valley Way down
south till the cycling path ends near Stonymarsh (34/27) where small
roads lead eastwards via Michelmersh and Braishfield back to Lower
Slackstead (40/25). The way back to Southampton is than the same
as in the morning, but instead of turning eastwards after Chandler's
Ford, use the cycle path beside Castle Lane to the west and than
the bridle way up to Chillworth (41/19 on OS Explorer OL22). From
there only a short distance is left to get back to Southampton.
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