CYCLISTS desperate to achieve the fastest possible time refused to queue for toilets and used a village green instead.

That is the claim being made by campaigners in the New Forest following the latest mass cycling event to be held in the area.

The New Forest 100 Sportive route included Godshill, where villagers agreed to let cyclists use the village hall as a refreshment stop.

But one councillor has claimed “piles of excrement” were found by litter wardens along the route while another described the cyclists as “Lycra louts”

Parish councillor Ann Cakebread said: “The organisers always emphasise that these events are not races, but the riders are timed to 100th of a second. Although they’re listed in alphabetical order, you only have to push a few buttons to see who has ‘won’.

“Our village hall only has two male and two female toilets.

“The longer cyclists stop the worse their time is, so rather than queue to use the toilets they used the village green instead.

“Our litter warden found piles of excrement with toilet paper on top.”

Her comments come after the chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber, said the authority could decide to regulate mass cycling events in the Forest by invoking a by-law restricting the number of riders.

As revealed by the Daily Echo, Cllr Thornber said the county council will take action unless event organisers draw up a code of conduct.

Cllr Cakebread also accused cyclists of intimidating other road users in the area by riding four or five abreast “as fast as they could”.

“Cyclists have no comprehension of what the Forest is all about. They seem to think it’s a town park where they can do whatever they like.

“We’re not against cycling – we’re just against big events that cause danger and disruption.”

Cllr Cakebread spoke out following a police liaison meeting in Fordingbridge, where campaigners raised the issue with the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes.

Speakers included district councillor Ann Sevier, who later told the Daily Echo: “Cyclists are behaving like Lycra louts.

“There have been a lot of incidents, including cyclists riding in front of vehicles, banging on cars and indulging in a lot of swearing and cursing.

“They seem to think they own the road – but the New Forest is a shared space.”

Cllr Sevier confirmed that roadside areas in Godshill area had been used as toilets.

“Defecating at the side of the road is totally unacceptable,” she said. “If it happened in a town there would be a big outcry.”

Mr Hayes added: “I recognise the considerable intrusion these mass cycle events have on communities across the New Forest.

“The law does not allow police to simply ban these events.

“I know the police are joining forces with New Forest District Council and other agencies to address the issue.

“If invited, I’m prepared to get involved and give what weight I can to find a solution to this problem.”

The New Forest 100 Sportive was organised by Martin Barden of UK Cycling Events.

He said: “Three rest stops with toilet facilities were provided for riders taking part in our event. If a rider has chosen not to use these, this is clearly unacceptable and something we do not condone.”

Mr Barden added that extra portable toilets would be provided at rest stops next year.