WELCOME TO CYCLING IN THE NEW FOREST
This site is maintained by John and Sheila Ward, who live, work and cycle in the New Forest. We have also toured by tandem extensively in Britain, France and Germany. Our aim is to promote and organise safe, responsible and enjoyable cycling in and around the New Forest.
We are members of the CTC Wessex Cycling; Audax UK (the long distance cycling association); Lymington Tuesday Cycling: and the Tandem Club (Wessex region). More about each of these organisations on other pages.
We organise a range of cycling activities in the New Forest:
We don't race, but we can tell you about the New Forest Cycling Club who do.
We are members of the CTC Wessex Cycling; Audax UK (the long distance cycling association); Lymington Tuesday Cycling: and the Tandem Club (Wessex region). More about each of these organisations on other pages.
We organise a range of cycling activities in the New Forest:
- Cycle events of various distances twice a year in May and September put on with CTC and AUK.
- New Forest AUK Permanent Events (of various distances), which are self-led and may be entered at any time.
- The runs list for the Wessex Tandem Club.
- An informal Tuesday cycling group, which does easy-pace morning rides from Lymington every week
We don't race, but we can tell you about the New Forest Cycling Club who do.
Bicycles, animals, cattle grids, tourists and the New Forest
Before anything else, please read these few important words about cycling in the New Forest:
- Animals roam freely and can be unpredictable in their behaviour. Foals, in particular, are likely to cross the road suddenly.
- In the summer there are quite a few motorised tourists and, if they are staring at the ponies, they can be just as unpredictable.
- There are quite a lot of cattle grids, which can be slippery in wet weather.
- Horse riding and carriage driving (Pony and Trap) is an everyday part of New Forest life. Please slow down and make your presence known when passing or overtaking. Calling out is a good way to attract attention because horses are used to the human voice.
- Off-road cycling in the Forest is allowed on designated car-free gravel forest roads. These roads are also used by walkers and so, although ideal for family groups with young children or individuals wanting to enjoy the landscape, they are not suitable for fast mountain biking or large organised groups. Please do not cycle elsewhere on the open forest, because the fragile habitat is easily damaged.
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CYCLING NEW FOREST is non-commercial and non-profit making
All our activities are provided by volunteers who give their time freely |
Cycling in and around the New Forest links:
The New Forest Cycling Club, which was established in 1934, is the New Forest road club whose main focus is on time-trialling.
The club stages events for club members and visitors every Tuesday of the racing season, from mid-April through to the end of August.
Wessex CTC area covers the Avon Valley and west of the New Forest and South Hampshire CTC area covers the Waterside and east of the New Forest.
Both organise regular club runs some of which come to the New Forest.
The New Forest Cycling Club, which was established in 1934, is the New Forest road club whose main focus is on time-trialling.
The club stages events for club members and visitors every Tuesday of the racing season, from mid-April through to the end of August.
Wessex CTC area covers the Avon Valley and west of the New Forest and South Hampshire CTC area covers the Waterside and east of the New Forest.
Both organise regular club runs some of which come to the New Forest.
