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OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE WEEKEND
In a Land Rover you can literally drive in the wheel-tracks of history. Down quiet green lanes, you can re-trace ancient routes which were the very lifelines for generations of travellers. These ancient roads offer Land Rover owners a rare and privileged opportunity to view breathtakingly beautiful areas that no-one other than very intrepid walkers, hill farmers and forestry workers are likely to share.
The routes that the LRO Adventure club use in the Berkshire & Wiltshire area are skilfully planned so that over the course of the weekend they vary from breathtaking views through to challenging forest drives. This will become more apparent as we take you through an impressive variety of terrain’s from forest to hilltop, down narrow winding and overgrown tracks (light scratches can occur) and back down to surrounding Downs and gravel trails. These weekends are ideal for beginners and newcomers who want to try out themselves and their vehicles before venturing further afield. I would not recommend it for those who are looking for a “blood & guts” lets winch across Wiltshire event, we do Wales trips 2-3 times a year specially customised for those who require the more extreme.
What makes Berk’s & Wilts so attractive as a driving environment is that the lanes sit on hard clay and chalk base ensuring little damage to the trails and the correct amount of difficulty for the beginner. The lanes, which we use, would have been worn down by carts, walkers and even foreign armies on the move, over thousands of years. The chalk and clay base becomes very interesting and slimy when wet, therefore high levels of concentration are required at times. A misjudged approach could see Land Rovers taking home the impression of the surrounding trees on their bodywork!
All of the tracks require low box, and are hugely enjoyable, the hard ground and dust in the summer in comparison with the mud and ruts of the winter make travelling across the terrain highly entertaining! You can see this for yourselves as we tackle water crossings, washed out tracks, dense forest and steep gullies, also taking in various places of interest and nature sanctuaries en-route. (Lanes are chosen so as not too use the ones, which could be damaged excessively)
Whilst this is not a physically difficult terrain it is technically very demanding - brain before brute force as it were! However, by the time you make your way back home you will have wound down several notches from the pressures of everyday life...!
The format for these weekends is 1-4 people to a vehicle, sharing the driving with their partners over the next few days.
The LRO Club supply one lead vehicle to travel with each group of five vehicles (Max 10 vehicles in two groups) The vehicles will be specially prepared with mud tyres, winches, satellite navigation, raised air intakes and shovels and spades just in case...!! All equipment required will be on-board to ensure complete self-sufficiency, i.e. cooking equipment, etc.
It is also worth noting at this point that 4 x 4 owners with any make of vehicle are welcome to accompany us on these trips as the nature of the terrain is suitable for all types of vehicle and varying standards of driver ability. You can also be sure that when the 'going gets tough' the professionals are on hand to ensure that everyone makes it through safely to home camp!
Our rendezvous point for the weekend's adventure will be Moordown farm near Shalbourne, and our overnight stop on the Saturday night will be a small hotel near Lambourne where the food and accommodation are to an excellent standard. After a hard day driving over and through the Downs the guests can then relax in friendly surroundings before taking to their beds at leisure.
For the more adventurous among you there is the option of camping using approved campsites in the area. This again adds to the feeling of pure escapism on the weekend leaving the restraints of everyday life far behind..! A barbecue out on the Ridgeway on a warm summer's evening (yes it can happen!) is not to be missed.
The cost of this weekend per vehicle is £100 and excludes any food or accommodation but does include expert instructors, well equipped support vehicle and well researched lanes.
For further information on relevant costings please call the LRO Adventure Club Hotline and we will tailor a package to your specific requirements.
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