As part of a series of short videos promoting the many reasons to visit and enjoy East Hampshire, Damian takes a look at the opportunities to enjoy cycling and the wide array of cycle routes across East Hampshire and beyond:
Discover East Hampshire #6 - cycling
As with walking, we’re surrounded by the most wonderful countryside, with access to a vast array of cycle routes. For the more ambitious, these include the 100 mile South Downs Way that runs all the way from Winchester to Eastbourne, and the 50 mile Shipwrights Way that takes you from Alice Holt Forest right down to the Historic Dockyards in Portsmouth.
And within Alice Holt Forest itself there are a range of adapted bikes that can be hired to enjoy the trails and tracks, including tricycles, tandems, and a wheelchair carrier.
And for those who prefer the company of others, there are local cycling groups offering routes that cater for all levels and ages. Cycle Alton is just one of the groups that helps promote cycling in the town, alongside established local groups such as the Alton Cycling Club, the Hearty Riders and the White Hart Vueltas.
There’s also the Petersfield Bicycle Buddies that organises regular weekly rides in the area, the Liphook Crankers and Liss Cycling Club who share enthusiasm for road cycling, and also guided routes in Bordon organised by Cycle Sphere, based in The Shed.
There are several local businesses that sell, loan and repair bikes - and you can find more details about these below - with a special mention for the Alton Repair Café whose volunteers can help repair bicycles among many, many other things.
And of course cycling isn’t just for recreation. More people are using bikes for short journeys in towns and villages, and even to commute. If you are a little rusty or have yet to learn, then Bikeability is a fantastic scheme that runs training courses across the country.
Please follow the links below for details of this and all of the other things mentioned in this video..
Cycle Groups
Cycle Alton - https://www.facebook.com/cyclealton/
Alton Cycling Club - https://www.altoncyclingclub.org/
Hearty Riders - https://altonevents.co.uk/groups/cycling-hearty-riders/
Cycle Sphere, Bordon - https://cyclesphere.co.uk/clubs/
Petersfield Bicycle Buddies - https://www.pbbuddies.org.uk/
Liphook Crankers - https://www.facebook.com/liphookcrankers/
Liss Cycling Club - https://lisscyclingclub.co.uk/
White Hart Vueltas - https://www.facebook.com/whitehartvueltas/
Bikeability (cycle training for all age groups) - https://www.bikeability.org.uk/
Bike Shops, Hire and Repairs
Crank It Up, Alton - https://crankitup.info/
Cycleshere, Bordon - https://cyclesphere.co.uk/
Cycle Tech (home repair service) - https://www.cycletechuk.co.uk/bordon
Liphook Cycles - https://www.liphookcycles.com/
Owens Cycles, Petersfield - https://www.owenscycles.co.uk/v2/
Hoops Cycles, Petersfield - https://www.hoopsvelo.com/
Hepworth Cycles, Clanfield - https://www.hepworthcycles.co.uk/
Hartleys Cycles, Selborne - 07710 513892
Precision Cycles, Basingstoke (will collect within 15 miles) - https://www.precisioncycles.co.uk/
Ventoux Bikes, Binsted (will collect within 7 miles) - Simon Horton 07884 438065
Alton Repair Cafe - https://www.facebook.com/AltonRepairCafe/
Recycling old bicycles
BikeStart, Aldershot - http://www.bikestart.co.uk/community/bikestart-13419/home/
Crank It Up Cycle Repairs - https://crankitup.info/
Events
Liphook Bike Ride (annual event) - http://www.liphookbikeride.com/
Cycle Routes
Alice Holt Forest - https://aliceholtinclusivecycling.com/
South Downs Way - https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/the-south-downs-way-p133…
Shipwrights Way - https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/shipwrights-way-p1344341
Green Loop, Whitehill & Bordon - http://whitehillbordon.com/green-loop-wayfinding/
Routes in Hampshire - https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/cycling
National organisations that support cycling
https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/
https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/
http://cycletoworkalliance.org.uk/
