Into the Forest - Strong Plus

Sky Ride Local in Bournemouth

You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to know your way around a bike and be fairly fit to take part in our Challenging rides. If you’re comfortable riding with other people and fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you. They start at around twenty miles long, and are paced at between 11 and 12 miles an hour.

If the steady rides have now become a breeze, then come and join us for a 37 mile loop around the New Forest. Starting out at the Hiker Café at Hengistbury Head, we first make our way over to Burley. From there we do a loop out towards Brockenhurst and back to Burley, via the beautiful scenery of Rhinefield Drive, which is lined with a mixture of large rhododendrons, azaleas and some very tall giant redwoods and firs. Back in Burley we stop off at the Old Farmhouse tea rooms for some refreshments, before we head back again to Hengistbury Head.

This is a challenging ride which is nearly 40 miles in length but, if the sun comes out, you will be rewarded by a very enjoyable morning out in the New Forest.

*After the long winter we have just had several sections of this route are badly potholed.  We have advertised this route as being accessible to all types of bikes but we recommend that road/drop handlebar bikes be ridden with caution on these sections.*

Additional Information

As these are adult only rides, designed for cyclists progressing from the standard Ride Strong level, the pace of the ride could increase to 15mph at the discretion of the Ride Leader.

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
Please bring equipment with you to repair punctures, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait.

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Dilys Gartside Having been a cycling solicitor for many years, in 2005 I qualified as a National Standard Cycling Instructor and set up CycleWise to work as a freelance instructor and campaigner for cycling.
  I teach adults from novice to advanced often under the Council's subsidised Scheme. See my website at www.cyclewisesouthampton.co.uk
  
  I was 2009 CTC Volunteer of the Year for South East England and recognised in 2011 for our campaigning work with Southampton Cycling Campaign. I enjoyed being a cycling extra in Midsomer Murders and had fun bringing BBC's ‘Dom on the Case of Cars’ to Southampton to explore other modes of transport.
  
  
  
  
• Matt Matthews Hi,
  
  I have been a keen cyclist for over 30 years and with the exception of about 3 years, I have commuted to work by bike come snow, rain or sun, since 1982.
  
  I have a mountain bike to get to work at Bournemouth School and a racing bike I use when I am out with Christchurch Bicycle Club.
  
  I am glad to have the opportunity to encourage members of the public to either get back on a bike again or get on one for the first time.
  
  If you are new to cycling and need any advice on buying a bike please feel free to ask for some advice when you come on a Sky Ride event.
  
  Hope to see you soon.
• Lindsi Bluemel
• Patrick Lockyer I've been a member of Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club since 1970, also member of Christchurch Bicycle Club, Dorset Rough Riders and affiliate of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers. I ride socially, on and off road, plus racing on the track and road. Have been assistant to the club coach helping with the (Kids section) Flying Arrows for over 12 years.
  I'm a qualified British Cycling Level 2 road and track coach. Coaching groups at the Bournemouth Cycling Centre(Velodrome).
  My Wife Trina is also a member of B'th Arrow CC and a BC Level 2 cycling coach.
  We have 3 boys 14, 19, and 25yrs old.