RG26

Tadley, Baughurst, Bramley and Pamber Heath

Tadley and the heath villages around it, right on the Berkshire border. A long run for us, and worth being clear about that up front.

Tadley has heavy commuter traffic in and out at fixed hours and the roads carry more load than their width suggests. Around Pamber Heath and Baughurst the tarmac gives way to forest lanes with sandy edges and roots lifting the surface into ridges — the sort of thing that splits a low-profile sidewall without warning. Bramley sits on the railway with a level crossing and the patched approach that always comes with one. The A340 through the district is the fast road and it collects the debris. Building work locally means nails turn up in treads all year.

Sandy verge on a forest lane will not hold a jack. We bring pads for it, but tell us the surface when you ring.