Ed Hunton grew up in North Devon on the edge of Dartmoor and cycling was his main mode of transport. The unparalleled feeling of freedom his first bike afforded him on his adventures throughout South-West inspired a lifelong passion for cycling. Tours in Italy, Spain, Benelux, France and Cuba followed, with a mixture of campsites, wild camping and pensions being his preferred accommodation. A keen member of Audax, Ed has also completed the Trans Alba (an 800-mile circuit of Scotland), taken part in Bear Bones events, completed a DIY tour of the Badlands in southern Spain and ridden countless sportives. His previous guidebooks for Cicerone focus on bikepacking in the Lake District and in the South East of England.
Description
Map key
Route summary table
Alternative schedules: hostels and B&Bs
Alternative schedules: wild camping
Alternative schedules: campsites
Introduction
What is bikepacking?
Planning your ride
What to take
Rights of way
Navigation
Accommodation
Fuel strategies
About the route
Using this guide
The route
Stage 1 Test Valley: Winchester to Old Sarum
Stage 2 Salisbury Plain: Old Sarum to Chirton
Stage 3 Vale of Pewsey and Ridgeway Part I: Chirton to Uffington Castle
Stage 4 Ridgeway Part II and Thames Valley: Uffington Castle to Reading
Stage 5 Forest of Eversley: Reading to Farnham
Stage 6 North Downs: Farnham to Forty Acre Lane
Stage 7 South Downs: Forty Acre Lane to Winchester
Appendix A Accommodation
Appendix B Bike shops
Appendix C Recommended kit lists