I was taking a look at Salisbury Plain last week on a grey and overcast day when the would be stunning views across this 300 square miles of chalk downland were invisible. Nonetheless, this is an extraordinary area. Its the largest remaining tract of calcareous grassland in northwest Europe largely due to it being a military training ground since the mid 1800s - a fact one cannot escape with the everpresent Danger signs
Sill, I was intrigued as there is a Sustrans bike route that hugs the northern edge of the plain and then turns south across it to Larkhill. Once you've hauled yourself up the steep slope onto the plateau, there is a wonderful hard surfaced road. No tanks, shells or bombs were to be heard or seen; just the odd horse rider and the sound of the wind in the occasional tree. As we rode west (on 2 wheels not 4 legs) following the White Horse Trail it all seemed too good to be true. And alas it was! As we turned south still following Route 45 we were abruptly halted by a barrier and guard and our route firmly verbotten.
It turns out that the military have well and truly sewn up the area and the route is never cyclable on weekdays until after 5pm and two days a week you will have to wait until midnight. Even weekends are a dodgy do as training takes place one weekend in every month. I'm surprised that Sustrans define this as a route. Their online map shows it with an exclamation mark but I'd have thought a skull and crossbones were more appropriate.
Verbotten weekends this summer are May 15/16, June 12/13, July 10/11, August 31/Sept 1 and Sept 4/5 although I was told these can be cancelled
For a headache free ride avoiding the Plain ask about our extended.Cotswolds and Bath Tour.
Photo copyright Rog Frost
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