A three-day bikepacking adventure through the New Forest, Isle of Purbeck and Cranborne Chase
JOIN US
for a long weekend of incredible off-road adventure riding. The Rat Run Rally is a self-supported bikepacking rally starting and finishing in Lyndhurst, linking some of the best gravel, bridleways and woodland singletrack in southern England.
You’ll enjoy a stunning 160-mile loop that connects the New Forest National Park, the Jurassic Coast and the rolling chalk landscapes of Cranborne Chase. Ride at your own pace, carry your gear, stop for coffee, swim in the sea, camp under the stars, and roll back into Lyndhurst on Sunday ready for a well-earned celebration.
About the Route
The route follows the legendary Woods Rat Run — a 160 mile (256 km) bikepacking loop developed by Tom Farrell of The Woods Cyclery after years of exploring the best trails across Hampshire and Dorset.
The loop stitches together a huge variety of terrain:
flowing gravel roads through ancient New Forest woodland
quiet bridleways and hidden “rat run” trails
coastal riding along Bournemouth seafront
rugged singletrack and big views across the Isle of Purbeck
chalky drovers roads through Cranborne Chase
remote woodland tracks before returning to the Forest
We’ll be riding over three days, giving you time to enjoy the views, pub stops, and hidden corners of Hampshire and Dorset along the way.
What’s the riding like?
Expect around 160 miles with roughly 2,300m of climbing, with a mix of surfaces and plenty of character. You’ll encounter fast rolling gravel tracks in the New Forest, bridleways and doubletrack, and some more technical singletrack (around 10 percent). You’ll find some steep climbs on the way - the Purbecks in particular don’t give the views away easily.
The terrain is varied and occasionally technical, so a gravel bike with big tyres or a hardtail mountain bike works best.
The beauty of this route is that it never feels too remote – towns, pubs and shops appear regularly, making resupply simple and letting you ride the weekend your way. And there are plenty of options to take a short cut if your legs are tired.
What to expect
from the weekend
This isn’t a race. It’s a rally. Think of it as a shared adventure with a great community of riders.
Thursday 17 September
Arrive at Foxlease Park, Lyndhurst from 5pm. Tonight is all about getting together and meeting your fellow riders. Dinner is included, and the bar will be open.
Friday 18 September–Sunday 20 September
After a delicious breakfast on Friday morning, and a quick rider briefing, we’ll be ready to roll from 08:30am.
From there, you’re riding self-supported. Carry what you need, stop where you like, and decide how you want to tackle the route. Some riders will push big miles each day. Others will take their time, stop for swims, pub lunches and scenic camps.
Sunday 21 September
Return to Foxlease for dinner and our finishers party – food is provided and the bar will be open. Camp and celebrate completing the inaugural Rat Run Rally.
Monday morning
Head home tired and happy after breakfast (included).
FIRST TIME RIDING A BIKEPACKING EVENT?
Perfect – the Rat Run Rally is designed to be approachable as a first bikepacking event.
A few reasons why it works well for first timers:
The route is a loop, so you’re never far from towns or transport links.
There are plenty of pubs, shops and cafés along the way for resupply.
You’ll be riding alongside a community of other riders doing exactly the same thing.
And if you don’t have all the kit, you can hire a stunning new Surly Straggler gravel bike kitted out with Wizard Works bikepacking bags for the weekend from our friends at the Woods Cyclery.
A few tips:
Pack lighter than you think you need.
Allow extra time – riding with gear always takes longer.
Don’t worry about speed. The goal is to finish with a smile.
Still have questions? Get your answers here.
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The route is 160 miles (256km).
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No. This is a self-supported rally. Ride at your own pace.
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No. You can camp, stay in B&Bs, or mix of both.
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A gravel bike with large tyres (45–2.3") or a hardtail MTB is ideal.
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You should be comfortable riding off-road and able to ride 50–60 miles per day with gear.
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Yes! We know it can be daunting turning up to an event on your own, but you’ll meet loads of wonderful like-minded people, and leave with a whole collection of new adventure pals.
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2 nights camping. (Thursday and Sunday night)
2 dinners (Thursday and Sunday)
2 breakfasts (Friday and Monday morning)
GPX route
Finishers gathering
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Yes — but limited to 50 cars. Parking tickets must be purchased in advance.
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£133 for FLINTA
£153 for a standard ticket
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Yes — The Woods Cyclery will offer a special bikepacking package including a Surly bike with Wizard Works bags.
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Brockenhurst, a short 20 minute off road ride to Foxlease. Route here.