Geography and Environment’s inaugural staff-student charity bike ride will take place on Sunday 19th October. The ride will provide a fantastic opportunity for staff and students to engage in a shared endeavour outside of our normal academic experience, and of course it is all for a good cause.
We have decided to nominate a charity for which the funds raised from this event can be donated. In memory of our late colleague Professor Mike Clark, this chosen charity is the International HIV/AIDS Alliance , an extremely worthy cause that was close to Mike’s heart.
We welcome all staff, student and alumni to participate in the event. The ride will start from Brockenhurst station car park at 10:30am. If you don’t have a bike, then you can easily hire one from Brockenhurst station. There will be an option of two forest trail routes to follow.
Please join in and help spread the word to donate to our chosen charity: www.justgiving.com/geographybikeride
We hope to get as many Geographers involved as possible, so please do come along and join in the fun!
Where do we meet?
We will meet outside the Cyclexperience bike hire centre in Brockenhurst station car park, New Forest, from 10:00am for a 10:30am start.
What is the route?
The cycle route we will follow is the 'Bike to Beaulieu' route shown in orange on the Cyclexperience website ( www.newforestcyclehire.co.uk ). The route is approximately 13 miles long if you simply complete the loop and up to 19 miles long if you choose to extend the ride to Beaulieu or Bucklers Hard for lunch. Although the ride starts on tarmac roads in Brockenhurst, about 80% of the loop ride will be on New Forest tracks.
Do I need a bike?
You can bring your own bike or hire one. You do not need a bike of your own to take part. Cyclexperience bike hire will be open on Sunday 19th October and bicycles of all sizes and types can be hired in advance by booking online at www.newforestcyclehire.co.uk . Day hire starts from £16 for an adult bike but if a group of 10 can be arranged then a 10% discount will apply to that rate. Bikes are well-maintained and modern.
How do I get there?
Trains go from Southampton Central station regularly. Or you can drive and park in Brockenhurst. Or you could cycle there – you can get the ferry to Hythe from Southampton and cycle to meet us in Brockenhurst, or if you’re feeling particularly energetic, cycle straight from your home. There are trains from Southampton to Brockenhurst that arrive at 9:56am and 10:17am, so those of you who live in the city can forget the car/bike racks altogether if you wish.