Home Page Pub News Campaigns Articles Surveys Beer Festivals Breweries Diary Contact Us   Hampshire Travel   Trading Standards   Admin Area Branch Map

CAMRA - North Hampshire Branch This Page:           North Hampshire Branch Social - Bourne Valley Bike Ride Published: July 2011   North Hampshire Branch Social - Bourne Valley Bike Ride   Yesterday's Branch Summer Bike Ride Social was blessed with sunshine and proved to be the perfect day for a gentle ride through the Bourne Valley. Setting off from home at 10.30, I took a gentle ride into town to Basingstoke Railway Station arriving on platform 2 in plenty of time for the 11.07 to Whitchurch and the start point of our two-wheeled adventure. As I disembarked and walked along the platform I could see a familiar cycle hat on the road bridge just beyond the station, the hat and head belonging to our designated guide for the day, Wessex RD, Whitchurch Resident and full-time cyclist, John Buckley. After a few pre-ride checks we set off down the hill into Whitchurch centre and then out on the Winchester Road, cutting under the A34 and then turning right to follow the River Test to one of Whitchurch's five mills and a small section of unmade road before joining the Longparish road through to Hurstbourne Priors and the Hurstbourne Arms just in time for 12 o'clock opening and our first half. On offer were London Pride, Otter Bitter and Exmoor Silver Stallion. We had a way still to go, so we drank up and set off across the main road heading for St Mary Bourne. I do love this road, it has so many lovely "chocolate box" properties and cycling gives so much more time to enjoy them as we pass by. The next landmark along the way is the viaduct, I always make a little wish for a train to cross as I pass underneath, but yet again I am left wanting. After a few undulations, twists and turns, we arrive at stop number two the Bourne Valley Inn, only 2 pumps in action for the summer, sporting Ringwood Best and Doombar that according to the Landlady, they dare not remove for "pain of death" from the regulars. Winter brings a third beer that changes regularly and is "chosen by humorous name or nice pump clip". We sat in the pretty and quiet beer garden, sipping and watching the car park fill up with lunchtime diners before heading into St Mary Bourne. The George in the centre seemed to have a good trade by the amount of drinkers outside, but we continued to the Coronation Arms, giving the Badger First Gold a miss (we can only drink so much) in favour of London Pride and Otter Bitter again, and avoiding the 6.6% Exmoor Beast as tempting as it was. Two ciders, including Hecks were also on offer here, but discretion etc. We continued on our path up the valley, taking a slight detour from the main road we got to see some more lovely houses before dropping back down to the White Hart at Stoke. Here we choose to go for the Butts Organic Jester, unfortunately only about 1 inch of liquid entered the glass before running out, leaving Ruddles Best or leaving as our options. Due to our schedule we decided to take the second option and headed on towards our next stop, the George and Dragon at Hurstbourne Tarrant. This once large historic coaching on the crossroads seems to have shrunk. It now appears to be a smaller pub, sandwiched between two residential properties. Inside, above the old fireplace, there is still the original post rack and Flack Manor Double Drop on the single operational pump. Not being tempted to head straight to Andover on the road simply know as "The Hill" we continued on our existing course and headed towards Ibstock, passing the British Legion Clubhouse, more quaint cottages and into Upton to the recently re-opened Crown. This seemed about the right time for something to eat, but not too much as we were soon going to have to face a hill. Beer-wise we had the choice of West Berkshire's Mr Chubbs and Good Old Boy and Arkell's Moonlight. We could have headed towards Vernham Dean at this point, to the George 1.5 miles down the road, but as the hill is used for practice by cycle clubs I chickened out in favour of the slightly easier route via Pill Heath. So after a relaxing lunch break we set off. I managed the short first climb, just, but my legs were too tired to get a good run at the second climb and had to stop halfway in favour of walking. At the top there was another slight dip before climb number three, it was no good my legs had gone and before long even walking was causing me to pull a strange grimacing face. Finally at the top, the relief was indescribable and the joy of the downhill coast to Andover immeasurable. Rather than the straight downhill run into town we turned right and headed towards Tangley, but not to our usual area favourite and GBG entry of the Cricketers (because of the chance of more uphills), instead favouring a twisting route downhill to the Fox, where upon arrival I quickly dismounted the bike in favour of lying flat on the wooden bench seat whilst refreshment duties were carried out on my behalf. London Pride was again on offer, but so were Stonehenge Spire Ale and Ramsbury Gold. The contour lines of the map suggested that we were still heading downhill for about a mile to Hatherden and Wadworth's Old Bell & Crown, so the challenge was set, no pedalling and coast all the way. We managed the challenge, but unfortunately arriving at 5.00 the doors had closed for this sunny Sunday and with no opening times displayed outside we weren't able to pencil it in for another visit. The map came out again and plan B was put into action, back up the hill slightly then off to the right towards Wildhern and then right again towards Charlton Down, to the formerly Greenall's Hare and Hounds, once again closed for the day and no opening times displayed, but the board outside did say closed Mondays, so at least we know when not to visit. Through the window we could see a Fuller's collective of pumps including London Pride again, ESB, and Seafarers. Due to these last two closures a toilet stop was becoming more important than more refreshment, but I was sure our last stop would at least fill this primary objective. More downhill if only just and requiring minor pedal assistance, we cruised into Charlton Village to find the Greene King Royal Oak, the pub, front patio and rear garden were packed with customers (not surprising if the nearest other pubs were closed for the afternoon), but we did manage objective number one and eventually a drink and a seat outside, four cask ales were on offer from the GK stable, IPA, Abbot, Old Speckled Hen and Ruddles County. As I said this was the last stop of the day, before the short ride to Andover Station and the 18.44 stopping service to Basingstoke. In hindsight we could have spent time at the George and the Cricketers rather than wasting time on two pubs that weren't open, we could have tried the Ruddles at the White Hart in Stoke, but we did have a lovely ride even if the hill nearly killed me, the views from the top and over the North Hampshire Downs made it all worth it. Would I do it again? Yes, definitely yes, but not until I get the feeling back into my bum. In summary, 22 miles, 11 pubs, 22 different cask ales and some gorgeous scenery, done. Phil Myatt 25th July 2011   << BACK TO ARTICLES ^ BACK TO TOP ^

Join us on.... or follow us on....   North Hampshire Pubs Album       National Beer Scoring System   Join CAMRA today