Cycling in Hampshire

The big industrial port towns of Southampton and Portsmouth; trim, well-to-do London commuter villages; the New Forest; trout streams; the South Downs Way... the large county of Hampshire is quite a mix, and by bike is the best way to enjoy it all.

Southampton makes an effort to be a bike-friendly city, with bike recycling, groups, maintenance classes and activities, and maps helping navigate the busy town roads. For many cyclists, Portsmouth is most familiar as the ferry gateway to St Malo in France or Santander in Spain.

But the main interest for cyclists is in the countryside, and Hampshire has plenty of that, all of it conveniently accessible by train from London. Mountain bikers can ride the 100-mile South Downs Way from Winchester (ultimately to Eastbourne), and have over 700 miles of recognised off-road routes in the county to explore.

Some of those cover many parts of the New Forest, which has plenty of road cycling routes too, as well as part of NCN2. That NCN2 is some route: it also takes you from Southampton to Portsmouth alongside the Solent, and from there car-free along the seafront over to Hayling Island.

Another Sustrans route, the Test Way (part of NCN246) goes a few miles on old railway paths from Romsey up the beautiful Test Valley, famous for its trout. It’s a good option for families and casual cyclists – as is the flat Hayling Billy railtrail on Hayling Island (part of NCN2 again), accessible from Portsmouth with your bike on the passenger ferry, and connecting with Havant railway station. 

Cycling groups and clubs in Hampshire

Cycling UK North Hampshire

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/north-hampshire

http://nhampshirectc.org.uk/

Range of rides from 5 mile social rides to longer rides and campaigning

Portsmouth CTC (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/portsmouth

http://portsmouthctc.org.uk/

Rides of all types from pottering to racing, and active local campaigning

Winchester CTC (Winchester)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/winchester

http://www.winchesterctc.org.uk/

Range of rides form short and easy to more challenging

Southampton CTC (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/southampton-ctc

https://southamptonctc.wordpress.com/

Range of rides from short and easy to long and challenging

New Forest Bike Project (New Forest)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/new-forest-bike-project-cic

Ringwood Community Cycle Club (Ringwood)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/ringwood-community-cycle-club

Fordingbridge Wheelers (Fordingbridge)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/fordingbridge-wheelers-cycling-club

New Forest Cycling Week (New Forest)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/new-forest-cycling-week

http://newforestrallycc.org.uk/

Annual informal rally for cycle campers in New Forest at end of July

Totton and Eling Cycle Club (Totton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/totton-eling-cycle-club

Sotonia Cycling Club (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/sotonia-cycling-club

http://www.sotonia.co.uk/

All round club with 300 members and lots of rides of all types

Solent Health Spark BUG (Solent)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/solent-health-spark-bug

Sports club supporting cycling

Southampton Cargo Bike Group (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/southampton-cargo-bike-group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Southamptoncargobicycles/

Help to people moving stuff around by bike

Southampton Cycling Campaign (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/southampton-cycling-campaign

http://www.southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk/

Striving to make Southampton better for bikes

Newforce Mountain Bike Club (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/newforce

http://www.newforce.org.uk/

Fortnightly mountain bike rides in New Forest, etc

Cycles for All (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycles

http://cyclingforall.org/

‘Anyone can cycle’: helping all to have fun on a bike

Symonds Cycling Club (Winchester)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/symonds-cyclist-club

Test Valley Council (Andover)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/test-valley-borough-council-staff

Test Valley Cycling Club (Whitchurch)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/test-valley-cycling-club

All-inclusive bunch of people who like riding bikes

Cycle Basingstoke (Basingstoke)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycle-basingstoke

Aquila Consortium BUG (Basinstoke)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/aquila-consortium-bug

North Hampshire Road Club (Basingstoke)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/north-hampshire-road-club

Large membership club with large range of rides for all riders

Melrose and Popley Fields Community Cycling Club (Basingstoke)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/melrose-popley-fields-community-cycle-club

Epiphanies LLP (New Alresford)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/epiphanies-llp

Pioneer Cycling Club (New Alresford)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/pioneer-cycling-club

Southdowns Mountain Bike Club (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/southdowns-mountain-bike-club

http://www.southdownsmtb.co.uk/

Mountain biking adventures in the South Downs area

Hampshire Police Leisure and Sport (Southampton)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/hampshire-police-leisure-sport

http://www.hpls.org/

Sports club for serving and retired police staff

Portsmouth North End CC (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/portsmouth-north-end-cc

http://www.pnecc.co.uk/

Sportives, time trials, road, MTB, cyclocross, charity rides and more

Renal Rouleurs (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/renal-rouleurs

Portsmouth Cycle Forum (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/portsmouth-cycle-forum

http://www.pompeybug.co.uk/

Campaigning to make Portsmouth better for cycling

Avenue Tennis Club (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/avenue-lawn-tennis-squash-fitness-club

https://www.avenueltsc.co.uk

I-Team Cyclists’ Club (Portsmouth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/team-cyclists-club

http://www.i-team.cc/

Coach-led club for all ages passionate about cycling

Emsworth Community Cycle Club (Emsworth)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/emsworth-community-cycle-club

Ditcham Cycling Club (Petersfield)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/ditcham-cycling-club

Fitzroy on Track (Petersfield)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/fitzroy-track-day-services

Petersfield Cyclists (Petersfield)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/petersfield-cyclists

Liss Cycling Club (Liss)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/liss-community-cycling-club

HookVelo (Hook)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/hookvelo

https://hookcyclingclub.co.uk

Team Boutique (Hook)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/team-boutique

Pedal2gether (Fleet)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/pedal2gether

Hampshire Road Club (Havant)

http://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/hampshire-road-club

http://www.hampshireroadclub.co.uk/

Regular rides in Hampshire and Chichester area, time trials, etc

New Forest Park Authority (New Forest)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-centre/new-forest-park-authority

Southampton Bike Kitchen (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/southampton-bike-kitchen

https://southamptonbikekitchen.wordpress.com

New Forest District Council Cycling Club (New Forest)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/new-forest-district-council-community-cycling-club

Bike Social Club T/A New Forest Mountain Biking (New Forest)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/biking-social-club

Ordnance Survey Cycling Club (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/ordnance-survey-cycling-club

The Hub Cycleworks (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/hub-cycleworks

www.thehubcycleworks.co.uk

Round About CCC (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/round-about-ccc

DC Cycles (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/dc-cycles

IKAN Community Club (Southampton)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/ikan-community-club

Pyrenees C2C (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/pyrenees-c2c

WNBR UK Fund (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/wnbr-uk-fund

Cycle Tours UK Ltd (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycle-tours-uk-ltd

Cycle Winchester (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/cycle-winchester

Bespoke Biking Cic (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/bespoke-biking-cic

http://bespokebiking.com

Velo Club Venta (Winchester)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/velo-club-venta

http://www.vcventa.co.uk

Primary Pedal (Whitchurch)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/primary-pedal 

Chase the Sun (Whitchurch)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/chase-sun

https://www.chasethesun.org

Meon Valley Cycling Club (Meon Valley)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/meon-valley-cycling-club

https://www.facebook.com/Meon-Valley-Cycle-Club-388833977883816/

Hyde900 (Hampshire)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/hyde-900

http://www.hyde900.org.uk

James Social Cycling (Basingstoke)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/james-social-cycling

https://www.facebook.com/jahmoolahut/

Fleet Cycling (Fleet)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/fleet-cycling 

http://www.fleetcycling.org.uk

Farnborough Fastners Community Cycle Club (Farnborough)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/farnborough-flying-bikers-community-club

Pedal Smart Bike Club (Farnborough)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/pedal-smart-bike-club

Farnborough and Camberley Cycling Club (Farnborough)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/farnborough-camberley-cycling-club

http://www.fccc.org.uk

North Camp Spokes and Spanners Community Cycle Camp (Farnborough)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/north-camp-spokes-spanners-community-cycle-club

The Source Community Cycle Club (Aldershot)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/source-community-cycle-club

Ash Velo Community Cycle Club (Aldershot)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/ash-community-cycle-club

Fareham Wheelers CC (Fareham)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/fareham-wheelers-cc

http://www.fareham-wheelers.org

Alice Holt Cycling For All (Alice Holt Forest)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-centre/alice-holt

Denmead Glow Rides (Denmead)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/denmead-glow-rides

West Leigh Cycling (Waterlooville)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/west-leigh

Re-Fit (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/re-fit

https://www.facebook.com/Re-Fit-1880359732102662/

Southsea Cycloution (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/southsea-cycloution

Bike Recycling (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/bike-recycling

Portsmouth Community Cycle Hub (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-centre/portsmouth-community-cycle-hub

http://motiv8south.org.uk/bicycle-recycling/

British Red Cross Portsmouth (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/british-red-cross

Pompey Pedal Pushers (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/pompey-pedal-pushers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/490094554446274/

Bike-U-Like (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/bike-u

https://bikeulike.com

Solent Mind (Portsmouth)

https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/solent-mind

What to take with you on your ride 

The only thing you really need for cycling is a bike. And maybe a phone, and credit card: in Britain you’re only a call away from any service you might need.

But unless money is no object, it’s wise to take a few things with you on a day ride. A saddlebag, panniers or bikepacking bags are best for carrying stuff. A front basket is second best. A rucksack is third best. Your sweaty back will soon tell you why.

Cycling short distances in jeans and t-shirt is fine, but on a long or strenuous ride – over ten miles say, or in hills – those jeans will rub and the t-shirt will get damp and clingy. Shorts or, yes, lycra leggings and padded shorts will be much comfier, and merino or polyester cycling tops wick away the sweat, keeping you dry and comfy. (They don’t have to be lurid colours.)

If rain’s in the air, pack a rainproof top. If it might turn chilly, take a fleece or warm top. But the thing you’re most likely to forget is the sunblock. 

It’s remarkable how often you enjoy being out on the bike so much that you suddenly realise it’s getting dark. So take lights (which are legally required at night). They’re price of a sandwich, take no space, are easy to put on thanks to tool-free plastic clips, and the batteries last for ever.

Take a puncture repair kit (with tyre levers) and pump. Make sure it fits your valves, which will be either ‘Presta’ or ‘Schraeder’ – realising they don’t match is a very common roadside discovery! Carrying a spare inner tube (make sure it matches your tyre size) makes puncture repair much easier: mend the old one back at home. If you do get in trouble, some kindly passing cyclist will probably stop to help.

Using a helmet is a personal choice – they’re not legally required.

Cycling makes you thirsty, so take lots of water. Long-distance riders talk about ‘the bonk’ – a sudden loss of energy rendering you almost stationary. It’s miraculously and instantly cured by eating something sweet. On short rides you’re unlikely to run out of energy, but just in case, take a snack like flapjack, banana, chocolate or jelly babies. 

Taking a packed lunch or picnic will save you money, though that hot drink and cake in a cosy cafe could yet prove very tempting!

Your phone GPS could be invaluable for showing where you are when lost; you can download free detailed UK maps and GPS software before your trip. 

Paper maps are still useful, though, so take one: no power source or wifi signal required, and they’re great for suggesting possibilities or changes of plan.

What have we missed? Recommend your favourite routes using the comments box below.