Gravel and Chats: the New Forest Escape

• 9–12 mile warm-up ride

Arrive at the hotel at your own pace and settle in. We’re right in the heart of the New Forest, in a cycling-friendly spot chosen specifically for this group. Take the afternoon however you like. Get comfortable, have a quiet coffee, stretch the legs or chat with a few of the riders you’ll be cycling with. We’ll meet for a proper bike check so everything is set for the next day. At 6pm we come together for a relaxed welcome before heading to dinner as a group. It’s an easy way to get to know each other, run through a short overview of the rides and ask any questions. A light meal, good company and a gentle start to the weekend.

• 35–40 mile scenic gravel ride through New Forest trails

We begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before rolling out at 10am for our main forest ride – a relaxed 35–40 mile gravel loop through some of the New Forest’s most beautiful landscapes. From Lyndhurst we head into flowing forest tracks and quiet gravel roads beneath tall pines, weaving through Bolderwood and across open heathland where ponies often wander across the path. Expect long stretches of compact gravel, rolling terrain with gentle undulations, and plenty of space to ride side-by-side and chat. Around halfway we stop in the village of Burley for a well-earned coffee and cake break before continuing through peaceful forest trails back towards Lyndhurst. With planned pauses along the way, the ride takes around four to five hours at a steady, social pace. We return to the hotel mid-afternoon with time to relax before coming together later for a mindset and confidence session, followed by dinner.

• 15-mile forest loop on quiet lanes and gravel tracks

We start the morning with a relaxed 9am spin from Lyndhurst, heading out onto quiet lanes and smooth forest gravel towards the peaceful woodland around Emery Down and Bolderwood. This shorter 15-mile loop is designed to feel achievable and confidence-building – the perfect way to round off the weekend. Expect wide forest tracks, soft morning light through the trees, and one last chance to ride and chat together. There may be a brief stop at Bolderwood, where fallow deer are often spotted from the viewing platform. We return to Lyndhurst late morning, where those who wish can join for lunch at The Woods Cyclery before heading home. Lunch is optional and not included in the weekend price, bringing the weekend to a relaxed close with fresh air, new friendships, and plenty of stories to take home.