VC Venta – New Forest Gravel Ride
With the wind howling and the rain slamming against the windscreen the short drive to Bramshaw only served to convince me that nobody in their right mind would leave the comfort of their home to venture into the forest on two wheels – or so I thought!
A small group of intrepid souls were duly waiting at kilometre zero for the reassuring instruction from Jorge that “we ride” and with that we disappeared down a puddle strewn flint track not quite knowing what we had got ourselves into.
That said, nothing prepares yourself for the stunning beauty and ever-changing environs of the New Forest even on one of the foulest days in January. Vast tracts of ancient oak and native woodlands punctuated by heather, bracken and gorse heathland on high ground and verdant river valleys are interconnected by gravel tracks that range over 550 square km. Ponies, deer and pigs roam freely whilst aloft buzzards and kites patrol the skies – well not today I defy any bird to stay aloft in those conditions.
Jorge’s route did indeed capture the majesty of this gravel biking Mecca – cunningly planned to face the brunt of the southerly breeze – gusting 50 km Strava reliably informed – for the first part of the ride. Thereafter we weaved our way along partly submerged tracks, dodging damp ponies, past gushing watercourses and waterlogged low-lying marshes before dipping into Hockeys Farm Shop Café for a well-earned coffee and breakfast bap – delicious!
Leaving Hockeys refuge some blue sky was spotted and then quickly extinguished by biblical rain and a technical climb up a what can only be described as a muddy wall (or was it a waterfall) – thanks Jorge! Before long we were all back where we started – invigorated and enjoying another round of Jamie’s Hobnobs – don’t leave home without them.
Thanks to Jorge for plotting a truly epic ride in the New Forest (route link provided below and is a must ride), to Jamie for the Hobnobs and to Ysarn for keeping us entertained with his gravel bike handling skills in conditions that better suited a seal on a mountain bike.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41668267
The next Club gravel ride will be on Saturday 4th February – Salisbury Plain beckons.
Jorge and Jonnie
