Southampton to Poole (road routes)

[DS240]

Chance for a change of scenery this Thursday.

Looking to get dropped off outside of Southampton around new forest and cycle on the road into Poole. Nothing major mileage wise, just a chance to cycle somewhere different.

Or a circular route from Poole.

Any recommendations on routes to take or avoid. I don’t want to hit fast, dangerous roads if I can avoid it.

Cheers

[GT03ROB]

If it doesn't have to be by road, check out the Cattleman Trailway, a good route through the forest & on to Poole

[DS240]

Narrowing it down... cadnam to lyndhurst on a337 and lyndhurst to Bournemouth direction of A35...

Silly idea on those routes?

[lauda]

DS240 said:

Narrowing it down... cadnam to lyndhurst on a337 and lyndhurst to Bournemouth direction of A35...

Silly idea on those routes?

Those are both pretty busy roads and the traffic will be doing 50/60mph along most of that route. I have cycled the A35 before but it was very early in the morning and I remember being grateful there wasn’t more traffic around.

I don’t know the area well enough to offer detailed alternatives but I’d look to come off the A35 as soon as possible once through Lyndhurst and take the road out through Burley and Bransgore instead.

Edited to add: it’s the New Forest Sportive this weekend and part of the route goes between Cadnam and close to Christchurch. If you reverse some of the route shown on the link below, that should put you on some more cycle-friendly roads.

https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-ne...

Edited by lauda on Tuesday 10th April 19:09

[DS240]

Thanks for that.. will look at the quieter routes. Just started looking at the more direct options.

[njd27]

I personally would cut up on the A336 through totton and netley marsh and cadnam and onto the little road that goes through Newbridge. Left at the cross roads at furzley. You can then follow that road through bramshaw past fritham and Linwood all the way to Ringwood.

Cut down the B3347 all the way to Christchurch. Then onto the sustrans 2 route along the seafront.

This avoids the A35 which is a horror.

[timnoyce]

I've done this a few times from Hamble. I cycle in to Southampton and then get the Ferry to Hythe, then down through the Forest.

https://www.strava.com/activities/589893916

[Agent XXX]

DS240 said:

Narrowing it down... cadnam to lyndhurst on a337 and lyndhurst to Bournemouth direction of A35...

Silly idea on those routes?

I did that route once. My advice would be don't.

Only reason I did instead of the more leisurely route was I had already ridden from Brighton. It rained solidly from Bognor to Lyndhurst. I still had to get to Poole and I was tired and a bit hacked off by that stage. Sure, most direct, but not a pleasant ride at all.