New Forest cycling.

[Bigtwin]

Off for a weeken's camping with the tribe, and understand the cycling's good trail-wise. Q's

Is there enough easy trail riding to take a bike for the 6 year old rather than the tag along - can you keep clear of the traffic enough to make this viable?

Is there any source of free maps? Surrey does a county-wide cycle map service for free, you just mail and ask and they come through the post. Can't find anything similar for the NF, only a useless scale pdf map?

Cheers all.

 

[JtB]

Big Twin,

I got a copy of the following book from our local library:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hampshire-Wight-Philips-Cycle-Tours/dp/0540082015

I then scanned the maps I wanted into the computer and I now print off A3 copies (free of charge) whenever I go on a ride. There are no New Forest rides in this book, but I'm sure you will find a book in your library that does cover this area.

The first off road ride I went on with my family was in the New Forest (between Lyndhurst and Brokenhurst) and there are lots of wide and undulating cycle trails through the forests (which were easy in comparison to all the other rides we've since been on). If you plan your routes well I think you can stay away from roads most of the time, but you will invariably return to short stretches of road during the ride.

I would imagine a 6 year old would not want to cycle/walk very far though (my youngest is 11 and he complains alot if the ride gets too long).

Shaun.

 

[Bigtwin]

Cheers S. The 6 year old will do a flatish 10-15 miles, with appropriate stops and treats on the way - he's bike keen luckily. Unfortunately, his road sense and danger awareness is not as good as his range yet, so tarmac is "stressful"!

The younger one will be in a seat/on a tag-a-long, so that's not an issue.

Looks like a tootle to the library this arvo, thought the local one is a bit thin on maps etc unless you order them in avance.