All Practice Rides

Our practice rides have been designed in a graduated order of magnitude, so riders who follow the suggested route schedule will achieve a basic fitness level that should enable them to complete the main ride in reasonable comfort.  Practice rides are also a good opportunity to brush up on your note reading and map reading skills. We do, however, suggest that the practice rides are only a part of your preparation and that you should be aiming to be riding at least 100 miles a week from the middle of May onwards - events like the Channel to Channel can be a great way of achieving this.

The invitation to take part in these suggested rides is not only open to those who wish to participate in the main ride in July. In fact we are very happy for anyone to join us on any of the rides, as individuals or as family groups, whether they plan to join us in France or not. We have made an effort to keep the mileage to a minimum, and always have a social pub stop so that people can meet with fellow riders, new and old, in the comfort of the pub of the day and chat about the day’s - and other - experiences.  We aim to arrive at our pub of the day between 12:00 and 12:30, so even if you can't make the 'official' route you can still join in the social side and do your own thing.

Route notes are written as a guide to the days cycling (start point - normally The Ship Inn at Langstone), so that there is less chance of getting lost. We also try to follow routes that avoid busy traffic. There are no hard and fast rules that say you must follow the notes to the letter, the main aim is to enjoy the rides.

Cheriton - Pub: The Flower Pots
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Lovely ride out to Cheriton

Distance: 50miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.00 - 3.00
 
Hooksway - Pub: The Royal Oak
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Ride out to an idyllic country pub close to the South Downs Way

Distance: 30miles. Grade: 2.5 Date: Times: 11.00 - 2.30
 
Chichester - Pub: Wetherspoons, Chichester Gate, Terminus Road
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This ride takes in part of the Centurian Way - a traffic free route. Our last practice ride this year before the main event

Distance: 27miles. Grade: 1.5 Date: Times: 11.00 - 2.30
 
Reunion Ride - Pub: The Hunters Inn, Swanmore
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Sunday 4th September 2011

Distance: 32miles. Grade: 2 Date: Times: 10:30 - 3:30
 
Goodwood - Pub: The Fox Goes Free, Charlton
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There are some reasonable hills on this route however it is a very pleasant ride

Distance: 40miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.30 - 3.00
 
Oving - Pub: The Gribble Inn
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Lovely route out past Goodwood aerodrome and on cycle path through fields.

Distance: 45miles. Grade: 2.5 Date: Times: 10.30 - 3.00
 
Littlehampton - Pub: The Arun view
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Don't be put off by the distance as this is a very flat ride.

Distance: 47miles. Grade: 2 Date: Times: 10.30 - 3.00
 
The Seven Hills Ride - Pub: The Fox goes Free, Charlton
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This is a great ride! Hills - yes but they don't all come at once. Pace yourself as the last couple are steeper than the earlier ones.

Distance: 43miles. Grade: 4 Date: Times: 10.30 - 3.00
 
Pagham - Pub: The Lion, Pagham
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Familiar route to begin with then the route takes you South of Chichester to Pagham

Distance: 47miles. Grade: 2.5 Date: Times: 10.30 - 3.00
 
Brambridge - Pub: The Dog and Crook
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For those not on the C2C weekend - come along and meet up with the riders returning from Salisbury.

Distance: 54miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.00 - 3.00
 
Selborne - Pub: The Queens Inn
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Different direction this one, route heads north of Petersfield.

Distance: 50miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.00 - 3.00
 
Liphook - Pub: The Green Dragon
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This is our longest ride to get you used to time in the saddle in France

Distance: 55miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.00 - 3.00
 
The Mardens - Pub: The Hare & Hounds at Stoughton
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This ride is not hard but it is challenging for those who are still getting their fitness back.

Distance: 31miles. Grade: 2.5 Date: Times: 10am - 3pm
 
Buriton - Pub: The Fountain Inn, Rowlands Castle
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This is a pretty ride taking you out towards the South Downs and does include a long drag uphill, a very fast downhill and a steep climb. This ride is a good introduction to hilly riding.

Distance: 30miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.30am - 2.30pm
 
Cheriton - Pub: The Flower Pots
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This is one of our nicest routes

Distance: 50miles. Grade: 3 Date: Times: 10.00 - 3.00
 
West Ashling - Pub: Coal Exchange, Emsworth
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Short first run out

Distance: 17miles. Grade: 1 Date: Times: 11am - 2.30pm
 
Forestside - Pub: Barley Mow, Walderton
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This ride is not flat but it is not hard: there is one demanding hill.

Distance: 24miles. Grade: 1.5 Date: Times: 11am - 3pm
 
Chichester - Pub: Wetherspoons, Chichester Gate, Terminus Road
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Nice little ride, with the benefit of the dedicated cycling and pedestrian path of The Centurian Way - good surface, but watch out for the tree roots!

Distance: 27miles. Grade: 1.5 Date: Times: 10.30am - 3pm
 
Hambledon - Pub: Fountain Inn, Rowlands Castle
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A pretty, but not hard or long ride. The outward leg is 25 miles so take your time, as the pub doesn't open until noon.

Distance: 31miles. Grade: 2 Date: Times: 10am - 3pm
 
Santa Ride 2011
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A fun day of cycling in and around Hampshire and West Sussex.

Distance: miles. Grade: Date: Sun 18th December 11 Times: 11.00 -
 

 

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SANTA RIDE 2011
Yes, it's that time of year again when we don our Santa Suits and take to the roads for a fun day of cycling in and around Hampshire and West Sussex.

Hayling to Holland 2012
We hope that this is the news you've been waiting for!

Yes, we're taking the ride to Holland next year and are well into the preliminary preparatio...

 

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