Driving rain is making it a soggy end to two mass cycle rides in the New Forest.

The heavens opened at 4pm as thousands of exhausted riders embarked on the final stages of the Wiggle 100 Sportive and Gridiron 100.

Spray on the roads is making it difficult for cyclists with already tired legs from their epic trek.

Drivers are taking extra care when passing them.

The race is taking its toll on trusty bikes too, with a handful of riders having to stop at the side of the road with flat tyres.

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Riders are cruising through the New Forest in brightly-coloured lycra with lights on their bikes chatting and joking as they go. Most have spread out into smaller groups along the route.

Drivers are being warned to travel carefully to avoid cyclists on the route which passes Brockenhurst, Beaulieu and Burley.

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The main pinchpoint on the routes of the two events is Ornamental Drive, but riders have been going along in small groups and cars have been able to easily pass them without problem.

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One motorist in particular, Hazel Platt, from Basingstoke was thankful for the the cyclists after she was helped by six riders following her Nissan Micra getting stuck in a ditch.

She said: "They were so kind. I didn't know what to do and suddenly these six men turned up. It's great that people are able to enjoy the Forest like this."

Ramblers and dog walkers have thrown their support behind both mass cycling events.

Visitors to the New Forest say their car journeys have been made slower by bikes on the roads but that riders have been travelling safely.

Mary Richards, 65, from Whinwhistle Road, East Wellow, said: "If you live in the middle of a national park you expect people to come for the leisure activities.

"It's been very well organised and stewarded."

Rider Debbie Mackenzie, 51, from Pimperne, near Blandford, who is taking part in the Gridiron, said: "You see some of the faster riders pass you but apart from that there hasn't been too much congestion and it hasn't caused us any problem."

"It's very beautiful going through the New Forest."

The Wiggle 100 Sportive set off from Matchams Leisure Park near Ringwood at 7.30am with hundreds of riders touring the area, while the Girdiron riders started at 8.30am at Lymington Community Centre in Cannon Street.

This year's event has so far gone without a hitch after last spring's event was hit by saboteurs who removed signs and spread tacks on the track.