Scampi, with the early start, I don't suppose there's much in the way of a Cafe until Lymington?
First cafe is at Butler's Hard. It's about 100k there. There's a corner shop though, can't recall where but it must be about 70 k or thereabouts. Often a popular stop. The first 100k can be a bit of a dash if you get in a big group.
I don't think it even stops there. It used to be the hotel but that was
way too posh for an audax and so was replaced with an info.
Last time the event ran it was as the "Denmead Double Century" and there was a full blown village hall control at Boldre run by John Ward (which was quite ample for the embarrassingly small entry...).
There'll be no such luxury on this year's ride so I think it will probably be Lymington for the first stop.
Ashurst is a good bet for a Co-Op style control before then. I expect that's what MV is recalling as there's v.little anywhere else...
[recalls halcyon days when El Supremo used to do not one but two feed stations on this ride...]
In terms of the time taken, it's not
too hard an event but the terrain after Blandford really is unrelentingly rolling all the way through to Twyford even though there are no big hills as such...so probably a good El-S tester for you, LEE.
IIRC the road from Stockbridge to Winchester is one of MV's favourites ;-) Personally I enjoy it though.