Advice on a route to Southampton

[menzies3032]

Looking for a little advise.

On Friday I am looking to go over to Southampton to meet a family friend and planning to do so on the bike. I thought it might be good to try some different roads for a change.

Only one issue I only know the main A roads once I get past Bridport / West Bay,

This is what I am currently planning would welcome any suggestion for interesting routings that would keep me out of town traffic.

Screenshot 2023-07-27 002256.jpg

[billinom8s]

West bay
Coast Road to Weymouth
Inland to Dorchester
Follow route to cerne amd sherbourne
Sturminster Newton
BlandFord
Fordingbridge
Brook
Southampton

[Robbo87]

This is the route I'd take. Bridport B3157 to Portisham, north to Winterborne Abbas, take the A35 eastbound, after Dorchester take A354 signed Blandford Forum and Salisbury, then A36 to Southampton - 78 miles.
The A354 is a cracking road and you can make good progress.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/50.72 ... ?entry=ttu

[TLS-Moose]

My only comment is it depends on what time you have available. Even the most direct route (A35/A31) it's a 2 - 2.5 hour ride min, and at this time of year even on a bike, traffic will increase that, so if you're only "popping up for an evening" it' could literally be just a cuppa then on your way again. As it happens, for a "primary route", the direct route is a surprisingly enjoyable ride and can really be hustled along when the mood takes (usually when leaving late to catch a ferry ( ), it's only the last bit as you migrate onto the end of the M27 thats really poor.

[menzies3032]

Si and Phil, thanks so much for the advise going to blend roads out of both of your suggested routes.

Moose, Think I am going to be setting off about 4:30 / 5pm and will be heading over for a coffee / package drop off and a chat for about an hour. The ride home will be more of the main road route (A31 / A35) as intend to do this in the dark. The bike headlight is fantastic when upright but not so great on tight twisties. Hence I wanted a bit more fun for the ride up.

Going to 100% plan in some of this fun route be great to try out some different roads thanks so much for the advise.

Will let you know how I get on

[bkingalan]

If you haven't already planned your route rob you might like to do Sherborne/ shaftsbury up zigzag sixpennyhandly to Blandford some nice twisties and views..

[menzies3032]

End the end did this route on the way up and was really cool in particular loved the A354 what a cool road that is.

Screenshot 2023-08-02 201907.jpg

[Scotty]

Shame I hadn't seen this thread earlier in the summer, could have offered some advice with the benefit of local knowledge. Ideally a mixture of those suggested - with the exception of the A31, a truly horrible road full of traffic. If doing it for fun, take Si's suggestion up as far as Sherbourne, then take the A30 all the way to Shaftesbury and from there the excellent B3081 up Zig Zag Hill and all the way down through Verwood to pick up the horrible A31 from there - not much else to be done from there, the roads through the Forest best avoided due to awful surfaces, very low speed limits, and livestock all over the shop. If more pushed for time you could take the A354 up to Blandford (excellent stretch), then continue towards Salisbury on the 354 (this stretch is as boring as feck) until the roundabout where the B3081 crosses it near Sixpenny Handley and do as suggested previously to Verwood.
Glad that a good ride was had.
Note to self: Keep tabs on the forum in future!

[menzies3032]

Hey Scotty
Thanks for the feedback.

Got to say I enjoyed just getting out on some different roads (on the way up done the A31 and A35 a million times in a car) appreciate the feedback and will keep all of this in mind as think it should make for some excellent route planning for a ride out April 2024 ish.

Thanks again.