| 1. This route starts at Lee on Solent sea front, and meanders along some quiet rural back lanes through the beautiful Hampshire countryside. There is a pleasant halfway break at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Café before returning back to Lee.
Start as you mean to carry on with a hearty breakfast at the Bluebird Café on Lee promenade, then onwards along the B3385 towards Fareham. The first part of the ride is level and urban, Newgate Lane is narrow and busy, I avoid it except during ‘off-peak’ periods. The first challenge is Hill Road in Portchester which is a short but tough climb; however, enjoy the views from on top of Portsdown Hill until you get your breath back! From now on the route is rural and much quieter; carry on by spinning down the back of Portsdown Hill into Southwick, from where you begin a gentle but inexorable climb into the South Downs. As you pass through Denmead, turn left onto Anmore Road and pass behind the ‘Forest of Bere’ pub. The route becomes a little steeper from now on, but nothing too onerous, although the lanes are quieter they are narrow with some farm traffic, beware of mud, gravel and horse manure! Carry on along the route, there is a very short but steep climb to the junction of Old Mill lane, turn right towards the ‘Bat and Ball’ pub on the Hambledon road. Follow the road through Clanfield then down to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. The café is in the car park where they sell fresh coffee and delicious homemade cakes and they are more than happy to refill water bottles.
Suitably refreshed, the return route is initially back tracking to the ‘Bat and Ball’ pub, however, remain on the Hambledon road until the village then turn left onto the B2150. The route is now generally downhill (what goes up must come down). About one mile south of Hambledon bear right towards ‘World’s End’, which is good photo opportunity. Tick off the pubs as you pass them, ‘The Chairmakers Arms’ and the ‘Horse and Jockey’ before turning left onto Shoot Hill. Cross the B2177 and ensure you turn right onto Boarhunt Road – I believe the locals pronounce it Boar’unt. Portsdown Hill looms ahead, but this is the slightly less steep side but still a challenge for tiring legs. By using the underpass beneath the M27 the route passes through the pretty suburb of Wallington before re-joining the A27 and A32 back to Bluebird Café for a post ride lunch.
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