The PEDALL – New Forest inclusive cycling community will ride 10,000km raising £10,000 for the project through a series of exciting challenges.
The summer fundraising series will begin on 17 June and finish three months later with the third Pass the PEDALL event at New Park near Brockenhurst.
PEDALL’s volunteers, project team, riders at events, and Friends of PEDALL trustees will undertake four challenges building up to the flagship community event Pass the PEDALL, raising awareness and funds for the project. The challenges include:
- 17 June – PEDALL ladies-led 100-mile New Forest Loop ride
A passionate team of PEDALL’s female volunteers will ride 100 miles – or 160km – around the New Forest, cycling through the heart of the National Park joined by other PEDALL volunteers and supporters.
The challenge will set off from PEDALL’s base at Burley Yard circumnavigating the Forest celebrating accessible cycling for all and making stops to connect with PEDALL riders and community including Minstead Trust, Cedars Care Home, and Sway Cycles.
- 20 June – Chase the Sun North 200-mile dawn to dusk ride
Gareth Jones, PEDALL Operational Lead, and Darren Hutchins, Friends of PEDALL trustee, will ride 200 miles – or around 320km – on the year’s longest day with PEDALL supporters and endurance challenge leaders Chase the Sun.
Their dawn-to-dusk, coast-to-coast ride starts at Whitley Bay north of Newcastle and ends in Ayr south of Glasgow, crossing northern England and southern Scotland while climbing more than 3,000 metres.
Gareth will then continue cycling south the following week, aiming for a total ride of 1,000 kilometres through southern Scotland, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Peak District over six days.
- 4 July – New Forest Thrive festival
The PEDALL team will be at the New Forest Thrive festival at Carvers Recreation Ground in Ringwood asking young people to add to the cycle challenge total by riding a fun go kart cycle loop.
New Forest Thrive is returning to Ringwood for its second year celebrating the New Forest’s communities, its wildlife, and the future.
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- More information on New Forest Thrive on how to join on the day can be found here: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/event/new-forest-thrive-festival/
- 26 September – Pass the PEDALL community event
Pass the PEDALL will return for its third year at New Park near Brockenhurst inviting PEDALL’s riding community to help reach the challenge target of 10,000km and a fundraising target of £10k.
The event has established itself as an annual highlight in the New Forest cycling calendar and builds on successes in 2024 and 2025, last year raising £10,000 thanks to riders, community groups, and local businesses.
Christine Cooke, PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling Volunteer Ride Leader and a Ride Leader for PEDALL ladies 100-mile New Forest Loop challenge, said:
‘I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing it is for someone who faces barriers to cycling to be given the chance to ride in the New Forest.
‘Our 100-mile New Forest Loop challenge celebrates the strength and incredible spirit of the PEDALL riding and female cycling communities.
‘Our team will raise vital awareness and support while visiting our rider groups and community partners along the route so even more people can experience the connection, freedom, and joy cycling brings.’
Gareth Jones, PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling Operational Lead, said:
‘PEDALL’s specialist cycles offer experiences to people that once felt out of reach, so we understand how powerful cycling is for people who may face barriers.
‘By riding from dawn to dusk, we want to shine a light on the difference PEDALL makes, ensuring the project continues to support people for years to come.
‘Taking on the 200-mile Chase the Sun North challenge celebrates the determination we see in PEDALL riders every day.’
Jim Mitchell, New Forest NPA Access and Learning Manager, said:
‘PEDALL’s 10,000km for £10k series this summer is a chance to celebrate and connect with the project’s incredible community across the New Forest National Park.
‘These ambitious challenges are a great way to raise awareness and funds for PEDALL and its riders.
‘Thank you to everybody taking part supporting the project and its vital work.’
- Donate to the Pass the PEDALL fundraising challenges and find out more about each: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pedall2026
PEDALL is a partnership project between the New Forest National Park Authority and charity Friends of PEDALL, with support from the NHS and Forestry England. PEDALL is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and other generous supporters.
