Gear up for the New Forest Cycling Festival

If you fancy a weekend of cycling fun to close out the season then it's worth checking out the New Forest Cycling Festival on October 2-3, which will include the last round of Wiggle's Super Series sportives along with a Saturday MTB ride, hill climb challenge, children's rides, barbecue and evening entertainment. UK Cycling Events, organisers of the Wiggle Super Series, is working with the New Forest National Park Authority to expand the sportive and provide riders and families with an action-packed weekend.

For roadies the main focus will be the Sunday, with the New Forest Sportive rolling out from Brockenhurst College. There are 100 mile, 66 mile and 44 mile options available, all of which are predominantly routed along the New Forest's network of quiet lanes. It's not the lumpiest of areas but there are still some stiff climbs along the way, including the inappropriately named Blissford Hill which, at 25%, should be a challenge. As with all Wiggle Super Series events, the entry fee includes electronic timing, well stocked feed stations, event photography, bike wash facilities, clearly signed courses and plenty more. If you're interested in taking part in the weekend it's a good idea to get your entry in sooner rather than later: last year's sportive was a sell-out.

If you can make it on the Saturday then you can also have a go at one of the MTB rides if that's your bag – there are 44 mile, 25 mile and 10 mile options – and the courses are cyclcross friendly too. On top of that there's an afternoon hill climb in partnership with the New Forest Cycling Club, with prizes awarded for the top 10 riders on slicks and knobblies on a 1km course.

Martin Barden, of UK Cycling Events, said: "We are hugely excited to be working with the New Forest National Park Authority to host this cycle festival. It's the perfect way to celebrate a brilliant year of events which have been so well attended. A weekend of family fun is the best way to enjoy getting out on your bike."

To enter the New Forest 100 Sportive visit www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Events/ or to find out more about the festival weekend visit www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk.