About Our Rides

How long is the ride, when do you finish?
The fortnightly Sunday rides are aimed at three hours, from 10am prompt to about 1pm. Rides will be announced as All Day with normally a pub lunch stop, via the rides list on the Club website and Newsletter. Timings will vary but normally start 10am prompt with return about 5pm.

How far do you ride?
The distance is dependent on terrain, weather and the individuals within a group but we will be aiming at six to eight miles per hour. We ride, as far as possible, away from public highways. This is of course the opposite of the traditional cycling pastime of touring, or road riding: and travel distances and speed can appear to be low in comparison – but not the energy expended!

How technical is the riding?
Clearly we do not have mountains to ride locally in Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, but even though the New Forest is considered by many to be quite tame (compared to tougher areas like the Peak District, or Wales) we do have ample supply of Public Bridleways around Hampshire and locally that can be very challenging singletrack, or slippery, steep and rutted routes. If you are new to the mtb language a singletrack is exactly what it says it is – a single narrow track that is not wide enough for two bikes to pass each other. These can be very difficult to ride well since the pedals can get caught on low shrubs, or ruts in the ground. The handlebars may similarly get caught on branches, or brambles and the singletracks invariably twist and undulate in a manner often difficult to predict as you pass around obstacles such as streams or trees! In recent years we have also seen Club organised trips to more technically demanding areas such as Exmoor/ Dartmoor, Quantocks and Wales and there are numerous ad-hoc trips by groups from the Club to race events, randonnee, or day rides.

What are the abilities of the other riders?
The participation on rides varies due to many aspects. Frequently we have 20+ Members turn out for a ride and we split into groups to suit the requirements that individual riders want from the trip.

We aim our rides at three adult categories:

• Hot - We always have enthusiastic Members ready to attend for a fast-ish tour. characteristic- strenuous & technical riding
• Medium - To suit a medium ride we have regular Members in attendance to offer a less demanding pace characteristic- moderately strenuous & some technical riding
• Cool - To suit a steadier pace we attempt to have Members available for this third group characteristic- smooth & non technical riding – potentially suitable for novices

Don’t get us wrong though, we are not lycra clad brutes who knock over horses and walkers! We do follow the mtb code and respect others keeping to sensible group sizes and appropriate speeds

Is the ride on (date) / at (venue) still happening?
Sunday is our regular ride day, fortnightly all through the year - regardless of the weather, and has never been cancelled in at least the last 10 years

What should I bring – do I need lunch?
We require cycle helmets to be worn on all Club rides: be prepared for weather changes and carry

• A drink
• Puncture repair kit / spare tubes
• Emergency contact details in the event of an accident

Rides will be announced as All Day with normally a pub lunch stop, via the rides list on the Club website and Newsletter.

Where do I park to meet you?
The Club Committee Members meet to ensure that ride venues and dates are decided and published in good time. These rides are available on the Club website, or within the Newsletter which we publish to Members every quarter year. The designated car park for the start will be named and a grid reference given.

Do you have a map of the ride?
Of benefit to our Club riders is not only being able to meet with like minded people, but we obviously have Members that are prepared to suggest routes and trails that they already know. Map reading and the uncertainties of hills, private land, mud, overgrown tracks etc. can be avoided, or at least minimised. Normally the person suggesting a route will be following a map, or a memory from previous rides and in recent years we have seen an increase in use of gps, which means routes can be shared by Members, in agreement by the individuals involved.