- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
New Forest rider and pony (CC licensed by iNew Forest:Flickr)New Forest NIMBYs melt down (again) as two cycling events planned for same weekend
Opponents of mass participation cycling events in the New Forest are up in arms after it has emerged that two will be held in the national park on the same day this October, also coinciding with a planned pony round-up. The route of one of the rides has been changed to avoid conflict, but there have been repeated calls for such events to be formally regulated by legislation.
According to the Daily Echo, the overlap between the two events – the Wiggle New Forest 100 on 11 and 12 October, with 2,000 entrants, and the CTC Wessex Gridiron, which takes place on the second of those days and may have 1,000 particpants – came to light at a meeting of the Court of Verderers yesterday.
Councillor Maureen Holding, a vocal critic of sportives and similar rides in the area, said: “Organisers of mass cycling events are treating the Forest as a playground. The time is coming for legislation to sort this out.”
Her view was echoed by the Conservative Member of Parliament for New Forest East, Julian Lewis, who said: “The ever-increasing frequency of these very large events shows there will no end to this worsening problem until a proper system to licence mass cycling in the New Forest is established.
“I will continue to exert maximum pressure on the relevant department to achieve this.”
The newspaper says that it is believed that it is the first time a clash of this nature has occurred, and a spokesman for the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) said steps were being taken to prevent conflicts of this nature in future.
He said: “A new event notification system, linked to an online calendar, will soon be launched by the New Forest Safety Advisory Group.
“This, together with advance information about round-ups, will help avoid future clashes.”
Earlier this month, it emerged that the NFNPA could consider lobbying for a change in the law to restrict the number of riders taking part in sportives as well as the frequency with which such events take place.
Currently, sportives do not need to have a licence and in contrast to road races or time trials are not subject to the Cycle Racing on Highways Regulations 1960 and do not require the permission of the police.
The largest events to take place in the national park are the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive, held in April, and October’s Wiggle New Forest 100, which takes place in October, both organised by UK Cycling Events, and both targeted by saboteurs in the past.
Earlier this year, the NFNPA published a draft charter for cycling events, compiled in partnership with its Cycling Liaison Group which comprises organisations representing the interests of local residents, horse riders and cyclists.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- imajez 1 hour 10 min ago
Nothing new about zebra [or light controlled] crossing on roundabouts. Sheffield has had them for decades, possibly since the 1970s.
- David9694 2 hours 40 min ago
Herefordshire man fined after throwing parking ticket...
- OnYerBike 4 hours 53 sec ago
I'm sure that sort of thing will come sooner or later. But presumably a key ingredient (and why you'd turn to a big brand like Fizik) is knowing...
- muhasib 4 hours 5 min ago
"the cost to rebuild the M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange is £317 million. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. "
- mark1a 4 hours 29 min ago
I think they did, from memory back in the 70s/80s... haven't seen one for years though, our current milkman uses a standard van, albeit hybrid.
- kingleo 5 hours 43 min ago
I believe that straight forks that are used on carbon frames are more dangerous than the old steel forks because they are more rigid, the old steel...
- S.E. 6 hours 15 min ago
Yes, sleep apnea produces more CO... I'm not aware of any doping effect but what do I know....
- Gd29 8 hours 23 min ago
That's true enough. But doesn't address my point that the chainset you get as a replacement will not physically fit chainrings from the chain set...
- brooksby 8 hours 54 min ago
In all fairness, it almost certainly NEVER happened…
Add new comment
39 comments
Oh my god. There's going to be twice as many people pooing on the village greens...
They hate cyclists with a vengeance and now there are two events on the same weekend, ha ha ha ha ha, oh man that's amazing.
I bet the anti bike brigade think this has been done deliberately to annoy them.
Now that is just plain and stupid.
The residents have a right to be heard. They live there. Give and take is fine but 2 at the same time is bloody selfish. 1 every 3 month might be reasonable. In would be on to the Press if I had that many. Why mot just move one a bit to the East for example.
Because they are damn commercial events and that's it. Run b greedy self serving opportunists.
CTC may be different but most of the rest are and have no concern for anything but pocket lining.
What's wrong with commercial events or enterprises? How does that cheap food get on your table? Who built the hospital and who will provide the drugs to treat you if you get sick? Who designed and manufactured the components of the bike you ride? Are they all run by "greedy self serving opportunists"?
I'm perfectly happy that commercial organisations are taking financial risks to promote cycling for the masses. It's up to the individual if they want to participate or not.
Did Julian Lewis take action over the increasing problem of motor traffic? Nope, didn't think so.
I normally don't get too worked up about the anti-cycling brigade, but I can't work out what damage a higher-than-normal amount of sportive riders would do to the New Forest. Do they scare the ponies?!!
None and nope.
But some old dear in Fordingbridge doesn't like bikes and she'll not hear the end of it until they're banned.
The only possible side effect might be a few motorists will be delayed a few mins here and there. Which won't be a patch on the miles of tale back's that will be going on for the next 2 weekends when 2 of the largest new forest events are being held.
but they're fine because she likes them
Should we change NIMBY to NOMTOE - Not My Type Of Event
Having the misfortune to have inlaws from the new forest I have to agree with this, it seems they like golf, horses and old cars anything else is unwanted and if it inconveniences them slightly is the devil incarnate.
Pages