VC Venta December Gravel Ride

A dull but dry chilly morning didn’t deter those who assembled in Ludgershall for Venta’s group ride on the superb tracks that make Salisbury Plain a gravel mecca. Undaunted by the conditions the peloton of twelve set off onto the Plain, an area of unique chalk downlands covering 780 square km that is famous for its rich archaeology: including Stonehenge, one of the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot!

Tracking into the vast terroir of the Plain (a wildlife haven that incorporates two national nature reserves) the convoy of riders were treated to expansive views of rolling hills punctuated by wooded copse’s (presumably where the tanks and military were hiding) – we never saw a tank or a fighty squaddie either!

As the track stretched way into the distance, the route expertly designed by Paul O’Halloran, was no pushover. Steady climbs – some not so steady as the gradient topped out at around twenty percent – and sketchy descents intersected by fords tested the bike handling skills of us all.

Before long we had skirted around Upavon and into Larkhill ever conscious of the presence of the military – red flags flying in the chilly northerly breeze. From Larkhill (a stone-throw from Stonehenge – terrible pun) the ride proceeded to Stonehenge and a chance to marvel up close and personal at the outer ring of Sarsen standing stones linked by horizontal lintel stones. A quite surreal monument built sometime between 3000 to 2000 BC – well before the invention of the wheel and certainly the bicycle!

Paul’s route then took us past Woodhenge, a Neolithic site close to Stonehenge formed around 2500 BC and consisting of six concentric ovals of standing posts (once timber and now concrete) surrounded by a bank and ditch. Brimming with archeological insights we headed back onto the plain dodging tanks and military convoys – no we didn’t spot any, obviously hiding in plain sight - before tumbling down off the gravel tracks and back into Ludgershall.

Too Amy, Tina, Ed, John, Andy, Rob, Nick, Ysarn, Steve and Robin who joined Paul and I on the ride many thanks for making the ride so enjoyable. Copious amounts of saddle banter, camaraderie and yes, a few inevitable punctures made for a great ride out over a very small slice of what Salisbury Plain has to offer.

The next Club gravel ride will be on Saturday 7th January – venue to be advised. Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Paul and Jonnie