RG17

Hungerford, Lambourn and the downland gallops

Racehorse country and the outer limit of where we go. High downs, deep lanes, and a motorway service area on the edge of it.

The lanes out of Lambourn and up through Eastbury and East Garston are chalk-based with flint working up through the surface constantly. Flint is the local enemy: it cuts sidewalls cleanly, the tyre is finished, and no amount of plugging is honest. Horseboxes and 4x4s dominate the traffic, running heavy loads on tyres that get more mileage than attention. Membury sits between junctions 14 and 15 and produces the standard motorway job — driven on soft, sidewall overheated, replacement rather than repair. Hungerford town is narrow with angled parking on the main street.

Out on the downs the signal drops. If we lose you mid-call, stay put and we will ring back from the road.