Route suggestions in SW please

[Brothersmith]

Ok, visiting parents in Lyme Regis next month and have a couple of spare days to do some bike packing while down there. Was thinking of South Downs Way but looks a pain to get back to car unless I do a double (not that fit).

Never ridden down there so a bit un aware of what there is regarding riding so has anybody got any suggestions? I will also be coming back up M5 corridor to midlands so anything in Mendips or Cotswolds also an option.

[jameso]

There's a lot of good exploring potential in the Forest of Dean and Monmouth area. If you want to stay on the English side of the river you'll be passing the M4 turn-off so not too far from west end of the Ridgeway at Ovington Hill. An out-back on the RW between there and Goring is about 95 miles of good riding in the dry and there's a huge amount of wide open hardpack tracks and trails to be explored between the 2 spots. The Lambourne downs south of the Ridgeway and the North Wessex downs are a potential goldmine of fast, open and scenic bike-packing trails for me. Nothing very technical and no major hills but very few dead-ends, a lot of time spent on a rideline with good views and a lovely area in the spring-summer, it encourages an inquisitive approach to riding and can be adjusted to suit time available making it my go-to area for longer S24O rides.

[Farawayvisions]

If you do the SDW, you can get the train from Winchester or Eastbourne back to your car.

[Brothersmith]

If you do the SDW, you can get the train from Winchester or Eastbourne back to your car.

Did think of that but found lots of warnings about taking bike on train and train lines didn't seem particular helpful. Got any experiance of how easy it is?

Jameso, thanks not an area I'm familiar with at all, proberbly a good reason to explore. What's biving like along ridgeway and areas you suggested?

[Farawayvisions]

Brothersmith, my partner and I did the SDW last May and took the train from Eastbourne to Winchester when we finished. Sometimes at the weekends there are engineering works but the train website will let you know.
The SDW trip report is here http://wp.me/p3yZa1-CZ

[jameso]

What's biving like along ridgeway and areas you suggested?

Good, patches of woodland, sheltered spots either side -tends to be reliable winds from SW- and there's water points along the Ridgeway (farm at Wayland's Smithy plus others). Usually quiet and plenty of peaceful spots. Can feel quite tucked away from easy food+drink options without being geniunely remote.

[Brothersmith]

Thanks guys

[Mart]

Charlie also had some gravel thing, around 100 miles, on his website that was just along the coast