Dorset Cycling 2 - Stratton via Sydling St Nicholas

This cycle is a favourite of mine and is a great introduction mountain biking. It also makes for a great walk as well.

The route has everything: off-road bridleways, peaceful lanes, inspiring views and pretty villages, as well as a mysterious standing stone... it is relatively easy going and bowls along for mile after level mile along one of Dorset's chalk ridges .

Parking at Stratton, pretty village with a green and pub you negotiate a short stretch of the busy A37 by a thoughtfully provided cycle path. Take great care crossing the road to the bridleway on the opposite side.

The route easy to follow and has several rewarding surprises such as the rough hewn stonecross and bench to be discovered the middle of nowhere. It was erected to celebrate the Millennium and marks the site of a much older cross that stood adjacent to the ancient route from the Abbey of Abbotsbury to Cerne Abbey.

Further along you find another unexpected and poignant memorial, an inscribed stone and cairn of flints raised in memory of Harriet Tory who died at the early age of 37.

Leaving the bridleway and turning left onto a lane you soon pass the Cross and Hand a mysterious standing stone referred to by Hardy in Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Its mystery is rather diminished by the needless erection of a wooden fence around it

Further along the road a bridleway takes you downhill to the sleepy unspoilt village of Sydling St Nicholas complete with welcoming pub to rehydrate in. From there a quiet lane returns you to whence you came. Distance 15 miles. Time around 4hrs