Following a 2 or 3 week period with no rain this ride should be relatively easy in most places
The first 10 miles is flatish with some small climbs.
The next 6 miles are off road bridleways
The last 4 miles are road and a dis-used railway
I am using Google Map to provide the road details and so there will not be any map Grid Refs.....sorry
Start in Blandford St Mary
Find the roundabout where the bypass A354 meets the A350. There is a Tesco store on the north corner
Leave the bypass roundabout (RBout) behind you and head 50 metres NW to Rbout
Right towards Tesco store
To Rbout - straight
200 metre take path to the right in to open park area
Follow path around to left
100m follow path to right
over bridge and left up slope and straight up 2nd slope to play park area
leave swings on the left
through staggered barrier and right on Langton Rd
50m go right on Langton Rd
100m right on to path to use underpass to minor road (Langton Long)
Right
500m pass All Saints Church on right stay straight for 4.5 km
at 4.5 you climb a moderate slope
after the slope you drop down to find a war memorial - left heading for SHAPWICK
pronounced Shapick - apparently.
Go straight for 3k to Shapwick arriving on West St and through the village leaving The Anchor Inn on the left
Now joining Stewards Lane. Pull over to the right at the play area to read an interesting fact about a former resident of this village
Leaving the play area behind, travel 1k to find Piccadilly Lane joining from the right. Stay straight on (road becomes known as Mill Lane)
2k you arrive at a downward slope where you will take a left turn heading for Wimborne .... but take a peak at the building, bridge and river on your right - a worthwhile resting place.
So you have turned left, leaving the White Mill car park on your left, up a small rise and onward dropping down an enjoyable slope for 500 metres or so, where you will find BARFORD FARMHOUSE and the very popular ice cream on sale.
Leaving Barford Farmhouse, go straight for 3k towards Cowgrove and Pamphill where you can find another resting point close to the river. Access to the river is through the car park on the right
If you wish to explore the river bank, go through the car park to find a path to the right
Leaving the car park behind you, pass the newly rebuilt thatched cottage on your right and drop down to find Vine Hill on your left. .
This is a narrow lane and a very sharp hill lasting 200 metres or so. At the top you can find The Vine Inn to allow you to enjoy some refreshments
Leaving the Vine Inn, going right up to the top of the slope, the road levels out to the common. Stay straight to pass the village school on the right and a short while later pass the sports pitches on the left
400 metres you arrive at a T junction. In front of you, you will find St Stephen's Church - the grounds of which are worth a look around
At the T junction - left on to Abbots Rd
800 metres the road bears left - stay straight on and through the car park and onwards passing the low wooden barrier to the bridleway. This path hugs the grounds of Kingston Lacy House - always worth a visit
Go straight for 600 metres, keeping right
200 metre - keep straight / right
800 metres come to small car park. Through the car park and B3082 Blandford Rd
Right on the Blandford Rd . At 150m left through the barrier and on to farm track / bridleway
The path is found behind the very large green trailer
600 metres to cross road (XRd) left
1000 metres to find farm buildings on your right. Stop at right bend.
To your front you will see a notice explaining some of the local trees
200 metres to your left at the top of the slope, you can find Badbury Rings - very much worth a visit
leave the bend behind you to pass the farm buildings. at 800 metre left through first gate, dropping down 200m along gentle slope
through two gates and up 250 metres slope to join track
Go straight for 1200 metres leaving woods on the left
at end of woods track swings right and go up on to concrete road
welcome to the former WW2 RAF Tarrant Rushton airfield
on the old perimeter (peri) track turn left.
600 metres down to main road
at main road - straight on to rough bridle way - hard work on the legs. Track climbs gently for 100 metres, levels out then drops 1000 metres down to road
join the road and straight on, leaving the war memorial on your right
straight for 700 metres to main road. Straight over main road .
on to Louse Lane. 100 metres take path up slope
3500 metres on trailway - disused railway.
At end of trailway - right on to farm track
pass by the 7 bar gate 50 metres to main road.
Left
200 metres to 'Tesco RBout'
Finished.. I hope you enjoyed that .... more to follow
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