Ludgershall to Andover...local knowledge sought!

[Laid Back Rich]

Following our recent inaugural 200km event, which seems to have been well received, Kingston Wheelers Audax Chapter is starting to think about putting on a 300 next year. Possibly out to Devizes and back. We're looking at the A342 for a few miles where we understand traffic is generally light on a Sunday, except for the bit from Ludgershall to Andover. Anyone with local knowledge able to suggest a way round this?
cheers
RE

PS...reminder for book launch and training session in Wimbledon on Friday!

[PaulF]

How about Biddesden. - Appleshaw - Clanville - Pentons - Charlton?

[StevieB]

the bit from Ludgershall to Andover.

Lee is the man you want...

That area, though not flat, has very good cycling roads; but personally I try to avoid both Ludgershall and Andover and route either north or south.

Possibly you have controls in mind - my choices are Amesbury, Pewsey and Whitchurch which all offer both shops and cafes.

[Somnolent]

I'm not keen on the A342.  You can fiddle around through Fyfield to avoid it but it's rather artificial.

Stevie's suggestions are all good - so how about a western end something like: Whitchurch, St Mary Bourne, Oxenwood, Burbage, Pewsey - then south through Amesbury befire turning for home near the unmissable Wilsford-cum-Lake, then King's Somborne, New Alresford, Ropley

Something like http://www.gpxeditor.co.uk/routes2/users/PpPete/Possible-KWAC-300

[Laid Back Rich]

lovely thanks very much, all the route planning work being done for me 

when can you get our routesheet ready? 

[Somnolent]

The Whitchurch to Pewsey part is on my Perm. Route sheet downloadable from link in my signature.
And I can probably give you other Kings Somborne to Alresford from memory.   But not when typing on a phone!

[Laid Back Rich]

very kind of you to share, many thanks

[Hummers]

The Whitchurch to Pewsey part is on my Perm. Route sheet downloadable from link in my signature.
And I can probably give you other Kings Somborne to Alresford from memory.   But not when typing on a phone!

Is that the one I bumped into you on Pete?

H

[Somnolent]

Sshhh !
I was hoping to keep that bit quiet.

[LEE]

Any reason you want to come into Andover?  There are several beautiful ways of avoiding it.

A342 is a terrible road on any day in my opinion.  The section from Ludgershall to Andover is no worse than the rest of it (in fact it's probably the safest stretch).
It's a 60mph road that's too narrow and twisty for those speeds. Full of "dappled shade" just to make it difficult to see cyclists.

Going just 1/2 mile North (Hatherden) or 1/2 mile South (Chilbolton) of Andover keeps you on idyllic lanes.

Personally I quite like the route from Amesbury via the Bulford tank ranges then over Perham Down via Tidworth high-street.

From Perham Down you can choose to carry on North of Andover or head South via Thruxton and Monxton.

[Mark Beauchamp]

My 'An Anorak's Delight' used to use the A342 but two members had accidents on it. Now the route crosses the A342 after Fyfield. There is a 'no through road' after Saxon Signs which is open to cyclists and which is opposite the road to the Pentons and Charlton.