Ride & Stride 2025

  Ride + Stride is back for 2025 on Saturday 13th September when you can join in the enjoyment of visiting the historic church buildings of the area.

It makes a wonderful day out, especially if cycling.
For example there are currently around 30 churches in the Whitchurch area but there are churches throughout the county and elsewhere.

People all over Hampshire visit as many churches as they wish on foot, bicycle, scooter, horseback, canoe, bus or classic car, exploring and enjoying the countryside.

As there are over 400 churches you can have fun choosing which will be part of your itinerary. Many will have refreshments, some will have loos open, and all should offer you a warm welcome.

Funds are raised through sponsorship that helps fund repairs to historic churches.

There is a good map of the churches here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1iuJvfuoTnn4go5zsqnA7Z61RiSc&ll=51.24855959294167%2C-1.622205541992221&z=10

Full details of the event are here:

https://hihct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/ 

A Tour de France Show at The Lights

The Lights in Andover have a new and exciting cycling related show in October: Ned Boulting's Marginal Mystery Tour: 1923 And All That (Warm Up Show)

Wednesday 16th October 2024, 7.30pm


It’s all about the Tour de France...

In his latest celebration of the greatest race on earth, Ned delves into the hidden mysteries of a mysterious roll of film from the 1923 Tour de France that fell into his possession during the Covid pandemic, and inspired his bestselling book "1923!"

Part detective story, part murder mystery, part costume drama, part French farce, Ned weaves his own typically ridiculous story into the astonishing discoveries he makes about the hidden world of the 1923 Tour de France, its characters and tragedies, and ties it all together with the wild upheavals of Europe in-between the wars.

And along the way, in an evening's odyssey, he draws a connection between the heroes of yesteryear and the champions of today, from Cavendish to Pogačar and beyond! It’s a touching, hilarious, fascinating journey that bounces between the centuries, but always has Le Tour at its very heart.

DETAILS and TICKETS:
https://thelights.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173650792

Local Cycle mechanic to 'climb' Everest

A local cycling mechanic is to take on a challenge to cycle the height of Everest in a quest to raise funds to support the opening of the Whitchurch Community Swimming Pool.

UPDATE:
Mike successfully completed this challenge, raising much needed funds for re-opening the local swimming pool. Well done.

Mike the SpokeMechanic says:

Please support this fantastic event in aid of the pool.

At midnight on Saturday 15th June, I will be setting out on a challenge to raise money for our community swimming pool here in Whitchurch.

 

I will be cycling the height of Everest while not leaving the county - at Faccombe Hill.

• One hill
• One road
• 8849m of climbing
• 120 repetitions
• Over 20 hours on my bike
• Riding a distance of 300km

Please help me raise funds to get our swimming pool back open and available to the community.

Full details of the challenge can be found at https://www.spokemechanic.com/everesting including a link to the donation page.

 

Thank you all in advance.

The Swimming Pool

A keen and committed group of local volunteers are aiming to bring the swimming pool at Testbourne School, which has been closed since 2019, back into use as a true Community Pool. 

There is a massive amount to be done and the team have been hard at work ranging from dealing with a lease to arranging insurances, covering legal requirements, sourcing essential services, and of course raising the much needed monies to carry out all the necessary work.

Mike's challenge above is a part of the massive fund-raising effort which also includes pub quizzes, sponsored walks, raffles, music events, auctions and many other activities. 

If you can help with fund-raising please see the website: https://wcsp.org.uk/

Cycle to Work Day 2023

 Thursday 3rd August is Cycle to Work Day 2023, the UK's biggest celebration of cycle commuting.If you haven't got your bike out yet, then this could be the ideal time.

But it doesn't have to be for a ride to work. It could be any kind of cycle ride, and on any type of cycle whether it’s cycling to the shops, to pick the kids up from school or meeting up with friends for a group ride.

Hampshire is a lovely place for cycling – from a potter to the shops, a ride out for a coffee, or a leisurely cycle in the gorgeous countryside.

As well as being great fun, low cost, efficient, cycling helps you keep fit and can make our environment a much more pleasant place.

 
All that is needed is to get that bike out and turn those pedals.

See:
https://www.lovetoride.net/cyclescheme

Bike Week 2023 in Whitchurch

Today, Monday June 5th, sees the start of the annual Bike Week, marking a century of Bike Week celebrating everyday cycling.
This year it has a theme of Active Travel for everyone.

Active Travel
Cycle Whitchurch is asking residents and local organisations to embrace Active Travel as a means to help reduce harmful emissions and help us meet net zero targets.
It is also calling on our Councils and Government to act in a more meaningful way to support Active Travel by encouraging initiatives that address the Climate Emergency – safer roads, slower speeds, designated routes, and joined up thinking!

Take a spin
Whitchurch is a popular destination for visiting cyclists, being a lovely rural town on the River Test, and also makes a wonderful centre for both utility and leisure cycling. 
Bike Week is the perfect opportunity to take a few spins on two wheels, perhaps to work, to the shops or with the children to school – and not only will it be enjoyable it will help the environment, reduce travel costs and be healthy too.
Maybe our local Councillors could cycle to their meetings?

Visit our Whitchurch page here:
WHITCHURCH

National Bike Week:
BIKE WEEK 2023

 

Pedalling for the Sheep Fair

It is just 8 weeks to a lovely event to support the Overton Sheep Fair – the Popham Pedal in which anyone can take part.

It is being held on Sunday 14th May 2023

The Popham Pedal is a on-road cycling event over a choice of three signposted and marshalled routes around the scenic Hampshire countryside and will be raising funds for the Sheep Fair.

The Overton Sheep Fair has become one of the area's most notable and enjoyable events. The current format was introduced in 2000 to mark the Millennium as Overton had held sheep fairs from medieval times until the early 20th century.

Held every four years it provides a wealth of exciting activities with music, a fairground, procession, market stalls and exhibitions. The whole family is catered for.

The next Sheep Fair is on the 20th – 21st July 2024.

The cycle rides all start at Popham Airfield with a choice of an easy 15-mile, a moderate 40-mile and a challenging 60-mile route. There is a refreshment stop half-way, and mechanical support will be available.

Details and entry form are here:
POPHAM PEDAL