HUNDREDS of cyclists converged on the New Forest at the weekend as the area staged its first major ride of the year.

The two-day Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive was based at Somerley House, Lord Normanton’s stately home near Ringwood, and took in most of the towns and villages in the district.

Entrants could tackle either the “epic” route of 84 miles or the “standard” course of 67 miles.

The Sportive sparked the usual war of words between critics and supporters of mass cycling events in the New Forest National Park.

As riders streamed through the area one of the people who took to social media said: “Usual lack of consideration for motorists. Three or four abreast. No hands on handlebars. Ignoring temporary traffic lights.”

But another commentator accused critics of being “truly blind” to some of the acts committed by motorists.

One said: “They can only see bad cycling. So blinkered they should be ploughing a field.”

Protesters tried to wreck the 2013 and 2014 Spring Sportives by sprinkling tacks in the road, causing a large number of punctures but no injuries.

The would-be saboteurs were criticised for taking the law into their owns hands and endangering the safety of entrants.

But the behaviour of cyclists has also come under fire in recent years, with critics accusing them of hurtling along narrow country lanes, swearing at motorists and even defecating at the roadside.

More recent rides have proved less controversial, with few complaints and no reports of sabotage.

It follows the introduction of a cycling charter drawn up by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), which has attempted to ease the tensions between cyclists and locals.

NPA member David Harrison said: “A great deal of effort has gone into organising these events and ironing out problems that have occurred in the past.

“Providing the events aren’t happening every weekend, and everyone behaves towards others with respect and common sense, I don’t see that it needs to be a problem.”

Last night a police spokesman said she was not aware of any incidents involving the Spring Sportive.