New Forest Circular

This is a ride of 120km(75m) around the New Forest starting from Ealing Tide Mill at 9.00am, taking in coastal routes, tourist hotspots and typical New Forest heathland on quiet roads most of the time but with some hot spots on route. The ride is mostly flat, with a few undulations.

To get to the start a short(ish) car trip is required. Take the M27 west to Junction 3, then the M271 south to join the A35 heading west. Left at the roundabout at the top of the Marchwood bypass then two left turns later and you’re at the (free) carpark, adjacent to Ealing toll bridge (Postcode: SO40 9GH). I would expect to depart from home at about 8.00am.

To save all attending driving, it would be preferable to car share if possible. I have space for two additional bikes on my bike rack. I can coordinate travel arrangements, just let me know your requirements or offers of space. Details on exact timings to follow.

The ride starts at Ealing Tide Mill carpark and heads south past Marchwood, passing the outskirts of both Dibden and Hardley. The ride runs parallel and also alongside the Hythe by-pass before heading to the quieter roads approaching Lepe country park, where we’ll stop for an early coffee at the Lookout cafe (20km/12m). Well needed after the journey down and after warming up the legs on the first few kilometres.

We then head towards the gardens of Highcliffe castle (44km/27m) for our lunch stop, passing by Exbury gardens, Beaulieu and it’s ancient river port Bucklers Hard, Lymington and New Milton.

After lunch we pass through Mudeford Quay and the outskirts of Christchurch before crossing the A35 and gradually heading into typical New Forest heathland. Skirting Bransgore and a couple of forest campsites we head into Burley and then onto the Ornamental Drive, a gentle climb where at the top an ice cream van (30km/18m) can normally be found!

The final stretch towards Lyndhurst, through Emery Down gets busier eventually running alongside the road on a cycle path to Ashurst. Crossing the A35 once again we head through Longdown to retrace our first few Kilometers back to the start.

Bookings for this ride/event

Booking is required for this ride. Please let the ride leader know if you want to join. Please do not turn up for the ride unless you've had your booking confirmed or your name appears below.

This ride is currently full but we encourage you to ask to join the wait list. That will let the ride leader:

• Find out the demand for that type of ride
• Nominate you as a replacement if someone drops out
• Arrange to split the ride if there is sufficient demand

Bookings recorded for this ride (Log in to see rider names):

• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member
• A PCTC member

To ask to join this ride, please use the 'Contact us about this ride' link above to send an email to the ride leader.

About faster rides

Our other rides go at the pace of the slowest rider or we will split the ride to accommodate a slower rider. 'Faster rides' go faster than other rides and people joining are expected to keep up.

We're not talking about professional or even 'club' riding speeds, but trying to ride at any speed faster than you can manage is an unpleasant experience.

If you want to join a faster ride, but uncertain whether you can keep up:

• Consider trying one or two of our other rides classed as A (Demanding) or B (Hilly) first. If you're able to keep up without difficulty that's a good indication you're ready for a faster ride. The chances are you'll be riding with other members familiar with faster rides that can help you with your assessment.
• In any case, contact the ride leader and discuss your experience to date with them. Bear in mind, however, that subjective assessments of average speed and cruising speed are notoriously unreliable even for those that routinely use cycle computers.

Before you join a faster ride, please review the route and prepare to make your own way back if you're struggling to keep up - and we all have bad days. We will not, however, intentionally drop slower riders; nor will we leave riders without first checking they are confident with getting back.