{"id":17533,"title":"Wild Garlic Ride","description":"If you want to take on a challenging cycle route in enchanting countryside then the Wild Garlic Ride is for you. Read on to find out more about this 110-kilometre ride in the West Sussex and East Hampshire area of the Southdowns National Park.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: EXPLORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

If you want a challenging route in enchanting countryside then the Wild Garlic Ride is for you. Read on to find out more about this 110 km ride in the Southdowns National Park.
\"\" The Wild Garlic Ride is epic at any time but especially when the Garlic is in bloom<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

It may not have any cobbles but the Wild Garlic Ride is a classic route with hints toward the Amstel Gold Race with a succession of short but steep hills that amount to nearly 1,500 metres of climbing.<\/p>

Combine that with unclassified roads that motorists tend to avoid and the vista of the Southdowns National Park it makes a perfect day out. Starting and finishing at a cafe that's popular with cyclists makes it even better.<\/p>

If you fancy all the best bits but want to ride a bit less and avoid the longest climb, then we have a 68-kilometre ride with only 965 metres to climb.<\/p>

Why You'll Love the Wild Garlic Ride<\/h3>

If you're a cyclist who loves the glorious countryside, quiet lanes, wildlife and the smell of Wild Garlic then this ride is for you. It's one of my favourite rides, especially in May when the Wild Garlic is in full flower. The delicate white flowers carpet the wood like freshly fallen snow and the air is full of its rich aroma.\"\" The views are stunning in this quiet area of East Hampshire<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

It's a beautiful part of the country that feels like time has largely passed it by. The lanes are narrow with relatively little traffic and the edges of the road are full of spring flowers from April onwards. Wood Anemones, Bluebells, Cowslips, Primrose and of course, Wild Garlic can be seen.\"\" The area abounds with wildflowers in Spring<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

The woods and hedgerows are alive with the sound of songbirds. As well as the more common Blackbird and House Sparrow you may be lucky enough to spot Woodpeckers and birds of prey.<\/p>

On the day I took these pictures I heard the distinctive call of a Buzzard, the tapping of Woodpeckers and a pair of Red Kites swooped low over me as I started the climb towards Hawkley. For me, it's a truly magical area.<\/p>

Enjoy!<\/p>

What's the Route Like?<\/h3>

All of the route is tarmacked but is bumpy and gravelly in some places but is ideal for road bikes with racing tyres. I used Continental GP5000 tyres and they were fine.<\/p>

Other than 800 metres on a minor A road (A325) and approximately 20 kilometres on quiet B roads, the rest is on quiet unclassified lanes.\"\" May is the best time to see the Wild Garlic in full bloom<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

There are a number of hills on the route which climb 1,500 metres. The longest is Brockham Hill Lane which is nearly 3 kilometres long and reaches a maximum gradient of 12.5%. This comes at just over half distance and is followed by a welcome long descent.<\/p>

The hardest climb is probably South Harting which comes with just five kilometres to the finish. It's only a kilometre in length but is 17% just before the top. The reward is a downhill run to the finish and the lure of cake.\"\" Every cyclist's favourite - cake<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

We've graded the climbs from 4 stars for the hardest to 1 star for the easiest.<\/p>

Start and Finish<\/h3>

The route starts and finishes outside the Village Shop & Team Room in Compton<\/a> which is popular with cyclists. The nearest Public House is at West Marden - the Victoria Inn<\/a>.<\/p>

The closest train stations are Emsworth (on the Brighton coastal line) and Petersfield or Rowlands Castle (on the Portsmouth - Waterloo line).<\/p>

Note that not many trains stop at Rowlands Castle and it has a very high gap between the platform and the train.\"\" The start and finish - If you look carefully you can spot our Head of Morale Gloria<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Parking may be available in Compton Square and dependent upon the time of day, there may be spaces in the Recreation Ground just south of the village on the B2146. The car park in the recreation ground has a height limit.<\/p>

Busy times are school drop-off and pick-up and when there's a church service.<\/p>

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Famous Connections<\/h3>

The Tour de France raced through Compton in 1994 when it finished in Portsmouth.<\/p>

The route has connections with a number of famous and historical characters. Actor Patrick Stewart<\/strong> of Star Trek fame lived in Compton whilst he was performing at Chichester Festival Theatre.<\/p>

Lord<\/strong> Nelson's<\/strong> mistress Emma Hamilton<\/strong> danced on the table at Uppark House. These were the days when ladies weren't encumbered with undergarments. As you can imagine it caused some controversy.<\/p>

Lord<\/strong> Wellington<\/strong> was offered Uppark House by a grateful nation after the battle of Waterloo. He took one look at the hill and declared \"God sir, me horses would be dead in a week\".<\/p>

Many actors have lived in or near Petersfield including Sir<\/strong> Alex Guinness<\/strong> and Miranda Hart<\/strong>.<\/p>

John Anthony Portsmouth Football Club<\/strong> Westwood<\/strong>, yes that's his legal name, lives in Liss. As well as being Pompey's most famous supporter he runs a bookshop that employed Eric Roe<\/strong>. She is remembered for streaking at Twickenham in 1982.<\/strong><\/p>

Ian Hallam MBE<\/strong> former Olympic medallist and professional cyclist has a dental practice in Petersfield.<\/p>

Maps and GPX File (Long Route)<\/h3>

The map is available on Google Maps<\/a> including all the rated climbs and pictures in this article.<\/p>

The map is available on Strava<\/a> and the GPX file<\/a> can be downloaded.\"\"<\/a>
<\/p>

Maps and GPX File (Short Route)<\/h3>

The short route map is available on Strava<\/a> and Google<\/a> and the GPX<\/a> can be downloaded. The directions that follow indicate where the short deviates from the long version. The initial part of the route is the same until Selborne where, instead of turning left, the route turns right to Blackmoor where it rejoins the long route.<\/p>

START<\/h3>

START: Head North from Compton Square on the B2146 towards Petersfield.<\/p>

3.7km: Pass Uppark on your right.<\/p>

5.0km: Descend South Harting Hill - caution there's a left-hand bend at the bottom.<\/p>

SOUTH HARTING<\/h3>

5.7km: Pass the White Hart PH on your left.<\/p>

6.1km: Turn left - signposted B2146 Petersfield.<\/p>

11.4km: Pass Petersfield Pond on your right.<\/p>

PETERSFIELD<\/h3>

12.1km: At the X-road turn right - signposted Town Centre.<\/p>

12.5km: Pass the Red Lion on your right.<\/p>

12.5km: Follow the one-way round to your left.<\/p>

12.9km: Where the one-way splits follow it round to the left.<\/p>

13.2km: Just before the church turn right into Tilmore Road.<\/p>

13.4km: Immediately start climbing to go over the railway line.<\/p>

14.4km: Follow this road all the way to its end where you need to take the bridge over the A3. See picture.\"\" Take the bridge to cross the A3<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

14.9km: At the X-road turn left. See picture. If you go straight across you'll come across the Harrow PH.\"\" Turn left at the X-roads after the bridge over the A3<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

15.5km: Climb Church Road and pass All Saints Church on your left. 2-star climb.<\/strong><\/p>

STEEP<\/h3>

16.1km: Turn right into Mill Lane.<\/p>

16.7km: Descend to pass the waterfall on your left.\"\" The Mill Lane waterfall<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

18.5km: Turn right - signposted West Liss and Hawkley.<\/p>

20.1km: At the T-junction turn left - signposted Hawkley.<\/p>

21.2km: Climb Farewells Hill. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

21.5km: Turn left - signposted Village Centre & Upper Green.<\/p>

21.9km: Pass the Hawkley Inn on your right-hand side.\"\" The Hawkley Inn<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

HAWKLEY<\/h3>

22.1km: At the village green turn left - signposted Priors Dean.<\/p>

23.1km: Pass the 1:5 sign on your left and climb Warren Hill (20%). 3 star<\/strong>\"\" It's such a backwater that no one ever changed the 1:5 sign over to 20%<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

24.7km: At the T-junction turn left to start climbing. See picture. 1 star<\/strong>\"\" Turn left at this unsigned T-junction<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

25.0km: At the top of the hill turn right.<\/p>

25.5km: Caution - fast descent with a rough gravelly road.<\/p>

25.6km: Climb Slade Farm climb. 3 star<\/strong><\/p>

26.2km: At the T-junction turn right - signposted East Tisted.<\/p>

27.0km: At the next T-junction turn right.<\/p>

EAST TISTED<\/h3>

28.3km: At the next T-junction turn right - signposted Selborne.<\/p>

30.6km: Turn right - signposted Hawkley.<\/p>

33.6km: Keep following signs to Hawkley until you reach Hawkley Lower Green.<\/p>

HAWKLEY LOWER GREEN<\/h3>

33.7km: Turn left - signposted Selborne.<\/p>

34.8 km: Climb Stairs Hill. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

36.1km: At the junction with the B3006 turn left - signposted Selborne.<\/p>

SELBORNE<\/h3>

37.8km: Just past the fountain turn left - signposted Newton Valence.<\/p>

For the short route, carry on past the Fountain and take the next turn on the right. It is signposted Honey Lane and signed to Blackmoor but both signs are easy to miss.<\/p>

If you are on the short route follow Honey Lane until you reach a t-junction where you have priority (signposted Blackmoor). You\u2019re now back on the long route so skip to Blackmoor<\/strong> (below).<\/p>

\"\" The Selborne Fountain in honour of Sir Gilbert White<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

38.5km: Climb Galley Hill. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

39.6km: Turn right - signposted Newton Valance.<\/p>

40.1km: Climb Hullam Lane hill. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

NEWTON VALENCE<\/h3>

41.2km: Turn right. See picture.\"\" Turn right at this unsigned X-road<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

SELBORNE<\/h3>

44.1km: At the junction with the B3006 turn left.<\/p>

45.3km: Just past the Southdowns National Park sign turn left - signposted Farringdon.<\/p>

UPPER FARRINGDON<\/h3>

47.9km: At the thatched cottage turn right and immediately pass the Rose and Crown on your right.\"\" Turn right at the thatched cottage in Upper Farringdon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

48.4km: At the T-junction turn right into Gaston Lane.<\/p>

50.9km: At the junction with the B3006 go straight over - caution it's a fast stretch of road.<\/p>

WEST WORLDHAM<\/h3>

51.7km: At the T-junction turn left - signposted East Worldham.<\/p>

EAST WORLDHAM<\/h3>

53.1km: At the junction with the B3004 turn right - signposted Bordon.<\/p>

53.2km: Turn left almost immediately - signposted Wyck.<\/p>

55.0km WYCK - HALFWAY<\/p>

56.9km: At the X-roads turn left - signposted Holybourne.<\/p>

HOLYBOURNE<\/h3>

58.5km: Turn right into Church Lane.<\/p>

59.5km: Climb Brockham Hill. 4 star<\/strong><\/p>

61.5km: At the T-junction turn right.<\/p>

LOWER FROYLE<\/h3>

68.0km: Run parallel with the A31.<\/p>

BENTLEY<\/h3>

69.4km: In Bentley turn right - signposted Blacknest.\"\" Look out for the friendly locals in Bentley<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

BLACKNEST<\/h3>

72.3km: Turn right - signposted Binsted.<\/p>

72.8km: Climb River Hill. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

BINSTED<\/h3>

75.2km: Turn left - signposted Oakhanger.<\/p>

78.8km: At the junction with the B3004 turn left then immediately right - signposted Oakhanger.\"\" Church Street in Binsted<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

OAKHANGER<\/h3>

83.2km: At the T-junction turn left - signposted Blackmoor.<\/p>

\"\" If you're eagle-eyed you'll spot RAF Oakhanger on your left<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

BLACKMOOR<\/h3>

The short route rejoins the long route at this point.<\/strong><\/p>

84.5km: At the T-junction turn right - signposted Temple then immediately left - signposted Petersfield.<\/p>

85.6km: At the junction with the A325 turn right - signposted Petersfield.<\/p>

86.4km: At the roundabout take the second exit - signposted Greatham Village.<\/p>

GREATHAM<\/h3>

88.0km: Turn left into Forest Road.<\/p>

88.7km: Crossover the A3.<\/p>

LISS<\/h3>

91.4km: At the roundabout take the first exit - signposted Hill Brow.<\/p>

91.7km: Turn right into Andlers Ash Road.<\/p>

92.5km: Turn left into Stodham Lane.<\/p>

93.2km: At the T-junction turn right.<\/p>

94.0km: Climb Stodham Lane. 2 star<\/strong><\/p>

94.3km: At the junction with the B2070 turn right.<\/p>

SHEET<\/h3>

96.7km: Turn left - signposted South Harting.<\/p>

98.3km: At the junction with the B2146 turn left - signposted South Harting.<\/p>

SOUTH HARTING<\/h3>

103.4km: At the T-junction turn right - signposted Emsworth.<\/p>

Stay on the B2146 (signposted Emsworth) all the way back to Compton.<\/p>

104.4km: Climb South Harting Hill. 4 star<\/strong><\/p>

FINISH<\/h3>

110.0km: FINISH COMPTON SQUARE<\/p>

<\/p>

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