The second iteration of VC Ventas gravel section sampled a small segment of the South Downs Way in perfect conditions. In the space of a month the sun drenched, dusty gravel tracks had been transformed with the much-needed rains of early autumn.
The South Downs Way “SDW” is a cyclist’s paradise – the perfect playground that starts in Winchester and ends in Eastbourne some 160 km later (100 miles). Our route took us to Beacon Hill before plunging down into Exton, a picture post card brick and flint village through which the Meon chalk stream flows. This part of the route encompasses all that is the SDW, large skies give way to fields of gold and rolling chalk downlands dissected by dry valleys and winterbournes. The downlands, which are grazed by hardy sheep, are punctuated by ancient beech woodlands and, from the top of the Downs, grand vistas to the south coast and the Isle of Wight beyond will take your breath away
From Exton the peloton of six scampered up the Meon Trail to West Meon to a well-earned coffee break at Cuppacheeno, tucked away at the back of the village post office, Cuppacheeno is a cyclist friendly café, with great coffee, a welcoming host and cake galore!
The homeward leg took us through ancient, wooded trails towards Hinton Ampner eventually emerging at the source of the River Itchen (still bone-dry after our amazing summer). We then passed through the village of Cheriton (not stopping at The Flower Pots Inn) and into the hamlet of Tichborne where asphalt gave way to a flint and cinder trail that dragged us back up and onto the SDW.
With one last stop to take in the magnificent views of Winchester at the top of the Chilcomb climb we then slipped back into civilization crossing over the M3 and scrambling down St. Catherine’s Hill and then along the Itchen towpath.
To the Gravel Peleton of Joanne, Andre, Steve, Andy and Ysarn - thanks for joining me on the ride and see you, and hopefully many more members, on the next club gravel ride on Saturday 8th October.
Jorge and Jonnie