Salisbury plain

[neatbik]

Seeing as my Wales trip went tits up, i'm thinking of hitting Salisbury plain early next week.
Tomorrow i'm off to buy an OS map of the area, but thought i would ask anyone here for any reccomended routes.

Also, any good (bike friendly) campsites in the area?
Cheers, Nick

[G]

I presume you're talking off-roading?

For camping, I'd say just wild camp personally.

Bing now have OS maps by the way.

Not sure your plans, but if you're not stuck on doing it solo, I've been meaning to get out for some mid-week dirtyness and have the time right now, so could be interested.

Haven't got specific routes, but do have GPS with memory map maps etc.

[neatbik]

Off roading was what i had in mind G.

Im heading down with a friend, the plan is to arrive in the area (hopefully) monday lunchtime/early afternoon, and head back home on Wednesday.

Its not 100% certain yet as my wife has been ill, but hopefully she will be well enough for me to do a bunk by then!

More the merrier as far as im concerned, so we would be more than happy to meet up with you for a play in the mud

[Tonka]

You need to make sure you stick to the 'green lanes' across the Plain, as the military have Wardens who patrol and will take your plate details if you stray onto military land, even in error.

There have been 'exercises' up there all this week, in fact a lot of the past month. If the red flags are flying then you are not allowed to pass them, even to use normally permitted byways.

Best map IMHO is the pink Landranger 184 - enjoy, it's great fun up there!
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[G]

[Tonka]

[ben_wheely]

[Tonka]

[G]

Korn (think with Ste) had a story about how he got stopped by some really pissed army person - who was annoyed with the sentries he had posted in his exercise who had failed to stop two loud motorbikes, so probably weren't going to have noticed 'the enemy' sneaking past either - he was apparently happy to direct the bikes back out of the exercise area.

[yen_powell]

Wiltshire near Salisbury Plain. Burcombe for these pics.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/P1020210sm2.jpg
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/wilt1.jpg
Near Stonehenge for these ones
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/P1020228sm.jpg
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/P1020220sm.jpg
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Ste]

I've heard loads of stories like that about those wardens who apparently patrol the plain looking for people who've gone off of legit byways, but I've yet to hear or read anything from anyone who has had their bike/car taken by the wardens. As long as you use a bit of common sense then you're not going to get into trouble. Stay away from crop fields, nature reserves, residential areas and anywhere else where your presence might annoy someone. Stick to the areas that the army drive around in their tanks and blow up with their tanks.

[danmoto]

lol thought i recognised these pics, i was on the autumn wander also, was a great weekend, altho give me a hotel room any day over camping in that field (my summer sleepingbag was a mistake)

the salisbury lanes are great, i love a ride with no unnecessary tarmac in between

[Ste]

https://www.stedotcom.com/stuff/wet800.jpg

[Tonka]

[neatbik]

Great stuff, cheers guys

I got an OS map today, you arent wrong about the amount of byways!

I imagine its going to quite muddy after all this rain we have had, so i might have to avoid the really muddy sections as im using Michelin Sirac tyres - although i guess that might just add to the fun...

[neatbik]

Well that was great fun

Some red flags were up so that limited where we could go but fun was definatly had.
Just wish i lived a little closer.

Im going to head down there again in a few weeks, maybe over the weekend though in the hope the army arent out playing.

[Tonka]

Cool!! Glad you enjoyed it - it's definitely better after some seriously wet weather, but at least at this time of year it's warm!

If you're heading down for a weekend 'shout' as I can recommend some campsites/places that will put you in the middle of a number of green lanes and sort out some maps so that you can get a few days out with some variety!


____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[neatbik]

Cheers Tonka

We stayed at Stonehenge campsite in Orchestron, and took the track upto the village where they were doing an exercise. The squaddies were ok with us, they seemed more interested in moaning about the ramblers

Then we ended up near Tidworth, the tank tracks that criss cross everywhere, although we took notice of the 'no civilian vehicles' signage.

So then we took a byway that brought us out at the airfield, and then we went just south of Salisbury and rode the 13 mile byway that goes past the racecourse.

A thoroughly good time was had, and im itching to get back down there

[michael j]

Sounds awesome. Must get my arse in gear and get the GasGas dirty again....