The 'Rat Run' Route

Earlier this year we tested a route that id been thinking about for several years. The idea came from a desire to link my two favourite riding areas, The New Forest, and Purbeck, via the lesser known, but now equally highly regarded ‘Cranbourne Chase’ area.

Myself (Tom), Oscar, Ben and Rusty Sam set out to ride the north section of the route which would be mostly new to us, despite being on our doorstep. It must be the draw of the coast that prevents us from pedalling north on a regular basis.

Access to the route is logistically very easy, with 3 train stations en route. I finished work, pedalled to Brockenhurst on New Forest trails jumped on the train to Bournemouth to meet Ben, pickup pizza and continue onto Wareham train station.

The route is a few yards away from the Station, with gravel a short pedal away. The Purbeck section that we skipped this time but have ridden so many times before would have led us to Wareham.

I get so excited riding new routes, within a couple of miles of the train station we found the ‘best piece of single track in the world’

Heading out to North Dorset the route involves lots of rooty woodland single track.

After winding through a little forest trail, you’re often greeted with a perfect flowing double track section, hence the name, “The Rat Run’ it seems appropriate while weaving in and out of little woodlands and fields.

After miles of north Hampshire and Dorset bridleways, you end up coming back Into the New forest from the north. The last section consists of some of our favourite smooth New forest gravel.

The Rat Run Event sold out to our Email subscribers in one hour…we wish we could offer places to more people, but we want to keep this one small and low key.

We are hoping to repeat the event at least a couple of times a year, next one in Spring, so please sign up to the mailing list or you might miss your chance of getting involved.

For the few that did manage to sign up, I look forward to riding with you in a few weeks time!

Tom.