There’s plenty to do in and around Fordingbridge, but with nature’s playground on your doorstep, you must consider hiring a bike and heading out for the day.
Cycling and the New Forest were made for each other; there are over 140 miles of car-free trails through ancient woodland, heathland, not to mention a 40-mile ‘secret’ coastal ride. There are many great rides from two to 20 miles in length, along river banks, coastal paths, woodland trails and tracks. More than a few start or end at a pub. Several have, ahem, stop-off points along the way too.
Of course, you may not own a bike, have room or wherewithal to take your bikes with you on your New Forest break. Don’t panic – there are plenty of great bike hire shops in and near Fordingbridge.
All bikes have two wheels, but they’re not all the same – there’s a variety of bicycle types for all manner of terrain – so think carefully about the type of trails and routes you’re planning to tackle. Are you going off-road? Sticking to paved routes? Do you need a little help over the hills? All of these questions (and more) are what you need to consider when hiring a bike.
Mountain bikes aren’t just for mountains – they’re essential for off-road trails where you need extra grip. Electric bikes or E-bikes are increasingly popular – whether you haven’t ridden a bike in a while or just need help to make the journey easier – especially uphill!
Hybrids are just how they sound – halfway between a road bike and mountain bike, and a great choice if your New Forest ride is over a variety of surfaces; tyres with more grip than a road wheel, but not as chunky as a mountain bike.
There are miles and miles of gravel tracks across the New Forest, so gravel bikes also make for a great choice. They’re somewhere between a hybrid, mountain bike and road bike.
For families with young children, child bikes can be hired as well as children’s bike seats and trailers.
Speak to the hire shop and they can advise the best option(s) to suit your break. Many will include helmets, pumps etc in the hire price, which makes sense if you’ve not brought your bike – why would you have brought a helmet?
While there’s not much in the way of cycle hire in Fordingbridge itself, there’s a good choice of hire shops in the close proximity.
Closest to Fordingbridge is Sandy Balls Cycle Centre, which has everything you need, from tandems to balance bikes, leisure bikes and trailers. Set within the holiday village, it’s less than 10 minutes away from Fordingbridge.
Elsewhere in the area, there’s New Forest Cycling, which offers free parking, free delivery on four or more bikes (within a five-mile radius), with prices starting at £20 for an adult bike.
Two other really well-established bike hire in the New Forest are Cyclexperience and The Woods Cyclery.
Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst (about half an hour away), where there’s a range to choose from; E-bikes to off-road, trailers and kids bikes; helmet hire is included in the price.
Based in Lyndhurst, The Woods Cyclery is another Aladdin’s Cave for cyclists – prices include helmets, backpack, pump, lock, toolkit and a mobile mechanic back-up. They have a wide range of bikes, but you’re advised to pre-book, especially for kids’ bikes, E-bikes and gravel bikes.
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