Cycle round the beautiful Isle of Wight!
The Isle of Wight Randonnee is an annual cycling event that invites bike enthusiasts to enjoy a ride around the picturesque island of Isle of Wight. Routes available include a full island route of approximately 100km, and a smaller, more family-friendly route of roughly 55km.
The event, inspired by the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonnee in France, began in 1985 and is organised by the Wayfarers Cycle Touring Club. It takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend, providing an ideal opportunity for cyclists to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes, rolling hills, and charming villages of the Isle of Wight. The ride is not a race – the goal is to complete the distance while enjoying the journey and the camaraderie of fellow cyclists.
Registration is free, but donations to the Wayfarers Cycle Touring Club are appreciated. All participants receive a route map, and there are several checkpoints along the way offering refreshments and mechanical support. Cyclists who complete the full island route can receive a commemorative certificate as a memento of their achievement.
Please note that in addition to registering for the event, you are strongly advised to book a return ferry ticket in advance.
Hopefully there will be a few Wheelers who want to cycle down to Lymington, ride a lap of the island and then cycle back again. If you want to do this then please book:
- The 9am outbound ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth (arrives 9:40am).
- The 3:05pm return ferry from Yarmouth to Lymington (arrives 3:45pm).
I've booked these ferries and plan on leaving Andover about 6:30am as it takes about 2 hours to cycle to Lymington, 4 hours to lap the Island and 2.5 hours to cycle home again (it's slower on the way back!).
Tentative routes as follows:
- Andover to Lymington - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46066362
- Full Isle of Wight Randonnee (avoiding gravel) starting from Yarmouth - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46066442
- Lymington to Andover - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46066366
Target moving speed will be 16-18mph. It's possible to get food on the ferry on the way out and then at Grace's Bakery in Yarmouth or on the ferry on the way back. There are also official refreshment stops on the route - https://www.cycleisland.co.uk/randonnee/event-details.