Hampshire’s Test Valley may not immediately spring to most people’s minds as top MTB destinations, but it’s actually an entirely respectable spot for both off-road and road riding. A point that Test Valley Borough Council are keen to emphasise, both by publishing a pack of ten circular route guides (that’s the routes that are circular – the guides appear to be the traditional rectangular format) and by organising their own events.

There’ll be four Test Valley Tour events, kicking off with a Spring Road Route (11 May, Broadlands, Romsey) with a choice of routes (100, 50 or 20km). They’ll all be waymarked and mainly on quiet country roads and lanes passing through the very best of Hampshire’s landscape.

Then there’s the “Hot” Mountain Bike Challenge (27 July, Appleshaw Village Green) featuring a 50km largely off-road route mixing fire roads and rarely-accessible singletrack sections. Again, it’ll all be waymarked and there’s a 32km bail-out option if the full distance proves a little too much.

Back on the road, 28 September sees the Autumn Road Route setting off from the Museum of Army Flying at the splendidly-named Middle Wallop and passing over the highest point in Hampshire. Choose from 100, 50 or 25km routes.

Finally the Tour rounds off with the “Cool” Mountain Bike Challenge (16 November, Charlton Sports and Leisure Centre). It’s a little shorter than the “Hot” at 40km (or 25km) on a 75% off-road route. And there’s free soup when you get back…

All the rides are fully waymarked and there’ll be water stops on the way round. Entry fees are £8 for the road routes and a tenner for the MTB ones (under 16s and over 65s £5 and £6 respectively). More details on the Visit Test Valley website, or call 01264 368833 or email [email protected]