Sue- ‘I fancy going for a ride today’
Me- ‘Sounds good, where do you fancy?’
Sue - ‘Somewhere by train’
Me- ‘Ummm, Ok!’
Within the hour we were on a train heading out to Salisbury.
Being the control freak that I am, I had been worrying all the way down to the station that we wouldn’t be able to get on, as, checking the website, there was no way to book bikes on the SW train that we were hoping to use. We cautiously wheeled our bikes into the station and up to the ticket office. This was new to us both.
The jolly guy behind the desk was super helpful and gave us all the information we needed, along with our ticket. Next stop, platform 3b. And that involved a bridge!
Two lift rides later and we are standing on the platform waiting for our imminent train.
Just two minutes later, it arrives. The guard jumps out right next to us and directs us further down the train and to look for the carriage with the bike sign on it. This was quickly located and we start to lift our bikes aboard.
I had been worrying about this bit too, but I needn’t have, they slid aboard just fine. The only trouble was - someone’s bike was already taking up a slot.
Was this it?
Was it game over already?
I really wasn’t sure if the rules of train travel and wished SW trains had invested in the same stock as Scotrails Highland explorer, with a whole carriage designed for onward cycle travel. It definitely has encouraged me to plan to take my bike next time I am that way.
As if by magic, the guard reappeared and said there was space in the next carriage. I tucked my bike into the next corridor and we readied ourselves for the journey.
As mine wasn’t looking too secure, I was worried about it falling, we opted to stay by them rather than taking a seat in the main carriage. But as it happened, it was Sues bike in the proper rack that kept moving.
There were lots of positives to our choice, it was quiet, well ventilated, we were alone so didn’t feel compelled to be wearing face masks and we had a great view from the door windows.
The only downside was being located right beside a rather smelly toilet.
At each stop, bikes were either wheeled onto or of the train. The very accommodating guard, happily allowing the space reserved for wheelchair passengers to be used as bike storage. This must be a popular route!
In no time at all, we had arrived, disembarked and were busy working out the easiest way into the town centre and a spot of cheeky breakfast.
You can’t visit Salisbury without taking a selfie by the cathedral. Sue wasn’t so convinced!!
She was, however, quite intrigued with the modern art located around the grounds, placed in juxtaposition with the fine art of the cathedrals building.
After a pleasurable time enjoying our surroundings and finishing our takeaway coffees, we cycled round the perimeter of the cathedral grounds searching for our first little blue sign.
I have read before that they do become easier to spot the more you use them. I wasn’t convinced and kept an eye on my route map too.
Once located, the 24 took us through some well beaten playing fields and next to a rather bulging River Avon. This greenery was short lived and we were soon on a busy, but well kept, shared path running alongside the A26. This diverted left behind the large Tesco and the perfectly placed park and ride, then onto a few quiet roads between a flurry of houses on the outskirts of the city.
The little blue signs directed us, to cross the crazily busy A26 again, via a pedestrian crossing then down what must have been the original A road complete with remnants of inns and toll houses, but was thankfully now relegated to side street.
As we cycled on the noise levels reduced, the surroundings became greener, and our enjoyment increased.
We were on a mission to find the prettiest version of the NCN sign as we travelled through the country roads.
We took a break by a very scenic little church at East Grimstead, I stretched my photography skills while Sue stretched her legs around the grounds.
We set off again, towards West Dean enjoying the beautiful vistas on either side of the road and trying to investigate a little village shop that was sadly being renovated at the time. (There goes my hopes of a sneaky chocolate treat)
We cycled on towards Mottisfont.
Refreshed and revitalised, we headed back to Southampton. This time too cold and tired to stop for photos.
At this point things started to unravel. The clouds had moved in. The sky, getting blacker by the moment. We had reached a large climb that Sue decided to power up, but as she didn’t have the route visible to her, she missed the right turn that we needed to take midway. She was so far ahead she didn’t hear me shouting to remind her of the turn. By the time I caught up to her (thankfully she had stopped - I can’t ever catch Sue on a hill) we had both needlessly climbed what felt like a mountain!
Cold, tired and grumpy, we decided that we needed to get some food. Though we had brought some lunch with us, the call of warmth and soup at Mottisfont was way too strong to resist.
We freewheeled back down the hill and in less than 10 minutes had locked up our bikes, flashed our NT membership cards that I had picked up just in case and heading towards the cafe.
Taking our seats just in time to hear squeals as the heavens opened and soaked everyone and everything not under cover at that point. Our timing was perfect!
Refreshed and revitalised, we headed back to Southampton. This time too cold and tired to stop for photos.
I always like the 24 as a route and loved the train element of this ride. Though I’m not sure if Sue was quite as keen.
