Swindon - great stones way - Salisbury - south downs way

[Retiredtester]

Sdw has long been on my bucket list and a friend and I are planning to double it up with the great stones way from Swindon over a weekend in June. Has anyone ridden this particular combo?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Swindon? Dave's probably you man, I'm sure he'll be along.

[Dave Barter]

I've ridden almost all of the "legal" Great Stones way in bits. A lot of it is footpath so your choice. But I'd stay off them if riding at a weekend, also they will all be thigh high in stinging nettles.

Plenty of other byway options to get you to Salisbury

Conditions are MINT at the moment

[sean_iow]

The SDW should be good in June but check to make sure there's not an event on the same day you plan to ride it. If the BHF ride or an ultra is on it will be very busy. Which way will you be riding the SDW? Hopefully you'll be riding with the prevailing wind.

[sean_iow]

Just popped up on my FB feed as a friend has liked it, the BHF ride is on Saturday 14th July.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/eve ... m_content=

So you'll miss that one riding it in June,

[Retiredtester]

Thanks for all the replies - only just spotted them. Interesting to hear the great stones way may not be entirely legal - my companion for the ride has walked it and it's his suggestion. Don't really fancy thigh high nettles or irate dog walkers, so may have to reconsider that leg. Any suggestions for byway alternatives?

I live just off the eastern end of the sdw and ride the local bits fairly frequently, so I'm OK with that leg. We're doing it from Winchester, so hopefully the wind will play ball!