ONE of the south’s biggest cycling events takes place in the New Forest this weekend.

The Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive will see more than 2,000 cyclists take to the idyllic lanes of the national park for the fifth edition of what is now an annual ride.

A non-competitive event, it begins at the New Park Showground in Brockenhurst at 7.30am on Saturday and at 8.30am on Sunday.

The main 58-mile route heads as far north as Godshill on the fringes of the New Forest boundary and down as far as Sway.

Those committed to the ‘epic’ 86-mile route will head across the county boundary into Wiltshire, cycling as far as Redlynch and up Blissford Hill – which has a 25 per cent gradient that makes it the steepest ascent in the Forest. Already a sell-out, the sportive is one of more than 50 rides held by UK Cycling Events across the country, all of which attract riders of varying ability.

Safety is emphasised by the organisers. “Cycling is becoming more and more popular and it is the responsibility of every motorist and cyclist to share the roads in a considerate manner,” said Martin Barden, of UK Cycling Events.

“It’s not a race, people want an enjoyable ride in a nice environment and we ask cyclists, wherever possible, to ride single file around the course.

“Any cyclist seen to be breaking the Highway Code will, as part of our terms and conditions, be banned from future events.”

Cycling in the New Forest brings with it unique hazards. For that reason, an enormous TV screen has also been hired in, to play a bespoke safety video to all participants at the start and temporary speed restrictions (40mph instead of 60mph) will be in place from Balmer Lawn to Lyndhurst and where the Ornamental Drive meets the A35.

“As we choose some of the most scenic and beautiful areas to ride, such as the New Forest, we quite often come across wild animals grazing at the side of the road. The same principle applies, give them plenty of room,” added Barden.

The best vantage points include Blissford Hill, near Fordingbridge, and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, where vehicles can be parked at Brock Hill and Blackwater car parks.

Barden added: “People can watch the event from anywhere on the course, all the roads are open as they normally would be.”

Last week, the Wiggle Series 2013 began in Suffolk and the New Forest Sportive is one of three of this year’s events that has already sold out. Two more are scheduled for Hampshire this summer, with the Bournemouth Sportive in June taking in part of the county but mostly Dorset and Wiltshire.

The Wiggle Series returns to the New Forest at the beginning of July, with the Wight Ferry Sportive starting at Brockenhurst College.

It includes the more testing 71/104-mile route options and heads to Lymington before crossing the Solent for a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

The longest routes of the series, however, are both 124- milers – The Long One and The Magnificat Sportive, both of which take in the South Downs. For more information log on to ukcyclingevents.co.uk.