New Forest Autumnal Cycle Ride 50
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Join Andy for a 50 mile autumnal road cycle ride around the New Forest. The vast majority of the route will be along quiet country lanes and open New Forest roads which offer truly stunning views and landscapes… If you are a keen cyclist, this is an event not to be missed!
We will set off from Brockenhurst Railway station and head to the east across the New Forest to the picturesque village of Beaulieu, which is well known for the Beaulieu Estate and famous Motor Museum. The route then takes us in a southerly loop around to the port town of Lymington on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, and home to a vast number of seagoing vessels plus the Wightlink ferry terminal for ferries to/from the Isle of Wight. We then cycle north west towards Sway and into the open Forest landscape back towards Brockenhurst before heading north west to Linwood. From Linwood we will head back along some lovely country lanes via Rockford and the outskirts of Ringwood before taking a final break in the village of Burley, which is popular for its tea rooms, gift shops and art galleries as well as being well known for witchcraft. The final leg takes us back to Brockenhurst and the start point.
The terrain is a little hilly in places and the pace is expected to be moderate; suitable for road or hybrid bikes and riders who are comfortable cycling longer distances without the need to walk up hills or keep stopping every couple of miles for a break. There will be opportunities for quicker riders to stride out for certain legs whilst others continue at a more modest pace.
Pic 2: New Forest-9 by Andy Powell. Licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license with crop change.
Pic 3: An unusual Shop by Smudge 9000. Licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.
What to bring
Apart from your bike, remember the following:
Food and Drink - Bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty of water.
Puncture Repair Kit and Tools (or better still a spare inner tube) and Tyre Levers - Also bring any special tools that your bike needs.
Clothing - Choose suitable clothes and footwear for the weather forecast and time of year. You will be exercising, so lightweight layered clothing is best. Shorts are best even in rain as they allow free movement of your legs. Jeans are useless if it rains and tracksuit bottoms should not be baggy or they may snag in the chain and cause an accident.
Cycle Helmet - Outdoorlads policy asks you to wear a helmet on this event.
Eye Protection - Impact from a bee, grit or even a fly at speed is extremely unpleasant, sunglasses are likely to be fine if they are not made of glass and not too shaded.
Water Bottle - Ideally you should bring a cycle water bottle that attaches to the frame of your bike so you can drink whilst on the move, otherwise you will only be able to drink during stops.
Bag - You are likely to need a small day-sack (or panniers on your bike) to carry essential clothing, water and food/snacks.
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch and energy snacks to consume on the way around to help you sustain the day's bike ride.
There will be places to purchase food/drink as we cycle the route.
Bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration.