WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE

still locked down (at the time of writing), we’re playing it safe and staying local with a ride from Winchester, on the edge of the South Downs National Park. The route starts by the excellent Handlebar Cafe, but the car park is busy at the best of times so we decide to meet at the oddly-named Cheesefoot Head viewpoint instead. The small car park here is right beside a large natural amphitheatre (also known as Matterley Bowl), where American troops were based in WWII. Back then, it hosted boxing matches to entertain the soldiers, but nowadays it’s used for filming and festivals, and even cycling events such as Battle in the Bowl. Obviously, everything is cancelled right now, so I’m surprised to find a food van here on this cold, crisp morning, but more than happy to entertain