DIY Wiggle New Forrest - Good Starting Points

[Pot Odds]

Weather permitting i'm looking to ride the Wiggle New Forest standard route next Wednesday (60-70ish) as part of working towards my 1st century this year.

Having done a number of 50's in the last few years and the L2B I feel that a 100 is an itch to scratch.

Can anyone recommend a good location to start from towards the North East of the route ? I'm traveling from North Hampshire down the M3 so it seems sensible to bin off Wiggles start which is in the SW. Just need somewhere easy to get to with suitable car parking - any recommendations ?

I know the actual Wiggle ride is the following Sat/Sun but i'm a bit restricted on when I can do this plus given recent windy weather prefer the option to pass if its a bit lousy - I may well be back for the September 100 though !

For anyone who's done the route will I be passing any shops where I can top up on drinks etc. Any other tips on places to take 5 to stop because they are nice would be welcome - it's primarily a ride but if there are nice things to see whilst having a pit stop.........

Thanks

PotOdds

[bakerstreet]

The route is different each year. Last years started in Brockenhurst as did the year before. This years sis starting in Ringwood, which isn't actually in the New Forest (I think!)

Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst will offer plenty of places to stop.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Coming from that direction you will probably be best off coming off the M27 at junction 1 and parking somewhere near Wellow/Landford and riding the section towards Fordingbridge.

The Wiggle sportive used to take in a very steep hill near Fordingbridge Blissford hill (25%) - from the cycling events website it doesn't look like it is on the route any longer.

http://ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-new-for...

[S10GTA]

You can park at Nomansland, which is on the route. Easy to get to, just off A36. You then get a downhill run before you hit that bd road up past Hampworth golf course. Rode it last night on the single speed into the wind, t'was very slow!...

https://app.strava.com/segments/2299015?filter=my_...

Edited by S10GTA on Wednesday 1st April 10:41

[S10GTA]

I am assuming it goes anticlockwise for some reason....otherwise you start by going up Pipers Wait, which hurts. Lots.

[caul pope]

I can't help with the training rides as I'm not from the area but I did the Rattler in 2013 and it was my 1st centurary. The roads are smooth and quiet and I found it a little easier than I expected probably because the roads are smooth and quiet. If you can work in a team/draft this will help a lot (obviously). I didn't find it too hilly to start but it felt very lumpy towards the end and Blissford Hill at around 97 miles was a real quad tester! I made it up but many didn't due to comedy falls because of wrong gear selection/dropped chains.

I'd say sign up and go for it, my longest ride prior to the ride was approximately 80 miles and the Rattler was a great way to loose my centurary virginity!

I was happy with my average speed;
https://www.strava.com/activities/75626451

[Pot Odds]

Update

Had to skip the New Forest in the end due to a daughter with the trots !

Wasn't all bad news as once the Mrs got back from work I was able to set out mid afternoon and chase the sunset home on a lap of the Farnham 50 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/536728

Averaged 15mph over the 55 miles but had failed to take enough munchies out with me and felt battered at the end (not sure i'd have been any faster even with food).

Had to take slight detour as I wasn't paying attention to my Edge 1000 and missed a turn - I let it re-route which seemed fine up until the point where the road from Bordon Military Cemetery turned into a woodland path ! Fair dues though - I only had to bounce my way for a few hundred yards through the woods until I re-joined my original route - the edge got it right but was certainly creative !

Looks like i'll need to give everything a good clean as the drivetrain got a bit clunky after the trip through the sandy woods - hoping to have avoided any lasting damage !

Great day for a ride

Pot Odds

[S10GTA]

Does anyone know which way round they go?

I am planning on heading out early Sunday morning and don't want to meet the wiggle riders.

[langy]

It goes anti-clockwise.

[S10GTA]

langy said:

It goes anti-clockwise.

Thanks. I'll head out early and north then, otherwise I'll meet them somewhere!

[Craivold]

Cheers for the info langy. I'll be out over the weekend and don't fancy running into the wigglers. May see you out and about on the forest Si

[S10GTA]

Craivold said:

Cheers for the info langy. I'll be out over the weekend and don't fancy running into the wigglers. May see you out and about on the forest Si

Only if you're up and out at 6 on Sunday..

[JustinF]

After 25 years of smoking and drinking I did my first 100 6 weeks after getting on a bike, just get on and do it

[langy]

Craivold said:

Cheers for the info langy. I'll be out over the weekend and don't fancy running into the wigglers. May see you out and about on the forest Si

I'll be out with the 'wigglers' on the epic ride

[Craivold]

Enjoy the ride langy and anyone else doing it. I did the Spring Sportive and the 100 in the forest last year and found them really well organised events. You'll enjoy it, I just want a quiet ride at the weekend

S10GTA said:

Only if you're up and out at 6 on Sunday..

err... Not a big chance of that I would say!