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No, not a dating request don’t worry!
But I am getting increasingly bored of riding (mainly mtb but weekly road/gravel spins) on my own these days so wondering what the best way of meeting up with like-minded people to get out on the bike with in my local area? Any thoughts/suggestions?
I live between Winchester and Southampton and don’t have a big circle of friends that cycle or are even interested in bikes so generally just ride on my own. (Poor me I know!)
Anyway, I figure that this forum must be a good place to start as at least people on here have an interest in getting out on the bike and hopefully there’s a few people in the same area wanting to explore some different trails or routes and talk about all the new shiny bike upgrades we can’t afford or get away with!
Cheers
Si
Newforce mtb club cover exactly that area and have regular Sunday and Thursday evening rides plus other ad-hoc. I joined years ago, learned a lot of good routes, made some great friends, and although only ride with the club a couple of times a year, still regularly ride with people I met through it.
Also Hargroves cycles winchester and totton - pop in and ask as they know a lot of the local groups.
If you like fatbikes and cider then I can be of more help 😁
Probably worth posting on This mahoosive thread too as there's quite a few locals!
Thanks. Will check those out.
Haven’t made the jump to fat bikes yet - keep toying with the idea about never quite getting there!
Cheers. Will do
I've never been (as I live in Leeds), but I know Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst do regular gravel rides in the New Forest, if you are prepared to travel a bit. If you want something super chilled, there is also the New Forest Offroad Club (check them out on IG).
I have the same issue up here just outside London. My ex-rowing, mtbing and road buddies have shrivelled away, kids (hasn’t stopped me), dark, rain etc.
Thanks, I know lyndhurst pretty well and always good to get out on forest trails so will take a look at both of those
Cheers
Si
@simonsl8er There is a Facebook group called MTB Fanatics that may be of interest. The group was setup purely help riders meet others in the same situation. It's not a geographically specific group, but the guy who created it is based near Portsmouth, so a lot of the active group members are based around Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey areas, and there are regular group rides at QECP, and other riding spots in the region, as well as group gatherings at Bike Park Wales etc.
Thanks @akers. I’ll have a look at that this weekend- I ride at QECP a fair bit as it’s only 20mins or so away from me
Thanks again!
A couple of quite big cycling clubs near you - notionally road-based but lots of cx racing and plenty of "variably social" group rides on road & gravel
I'm a (not very active) Sotonia member but there's also Venta more Winchester way and the NF club too (plus some smaller ones). NewForce for more offroad bias, as 40mpg suggested
In any club you'll find people doing mtb, gravel and road as smaller informal groups at all sorts of pace
Or let me know when you're free and we can arrange a ride - I'm west of Romsey and tend to trundle round the northern NF for an hour or two, or roadage north of Romsey. Often free second half of the week. Forest is really wet currently so gravel or road for me. I'm late 50s, so may not be a good demographic for you (I won't take offence if rejected !)
I have a version of post-COVID that manifests as being a lazy bastard - skipped the cx season totally when I could've tried - so it wouldn't be fast. Intending to pick that up after Feb
Cheers @scaredypants . Will drop you a DM
I lived in romsey for most of my life so know the area pretty well but haven’t risen around there for a few years. I ran in the NF the other week and it was horrible - so much water!
The New Forest last night 😆
A little damp then @40mpg?! It’s going to be like a lake after this weekend!
I rode on the trail along side the A31 (near Milkham enclosure) the other week and would have been better with ski’s!