Easter Tandem Rally and AGM 2016

Thursday 24th. to Monday 28th. March 2016

Avon Tyrrell Activity Centre
Bransgore,
Hampshire, BH23 8EE

Avon Tyrell House

Lower camping field

Fishing lake

Lake

The Lodges

Forest transport

The 2016 Easter Rally took place at Avon Tyrrell some 10 miles North East of Bournemouth in the New Forest. The New Forest is an excellent area for cycling offering Forest trails and quiet country lanes. Ideal for families with the opportunity to see a variety of wild animals including New Forest ponies and deer. The area is rich in its landscape and ancient villages. The Activity Centre is the Headquarters of UK Youth in its own grounds of 65 acres near the villages of Bransgore and Burley. There is a play area for small children adjacent to the camping field. 
We had a choice of Lodge accommodation, a camping pitch or making your own local arrangement.

A few people arrived before the rally and took the opportunity of exploring the area while the weather permitted. Friday was a bright sunny day and many people chose to ride the route they most wanted to complete as the weather forecast for the rest of the weekend was not good.

Accommodation
We had the use of several of the the sites Scandinavian style wooden lodges which offer a mixture of 2 - 4 bed/bunk rooms with self-catering facilities and lounges. There are a total of 48 beds. Included are a Fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave and toaster. Lodges are equipped with Duvets and pillows but you needed to bring your own bedlinen or sleeping bags, personal towels and tea towels.

Camping
We had the use of two camping areas within the grounds with toilets, showers and laundry facilities. A small one restricted to units under 15ft. and a larger area for longer units. A limited number of electrical hook ups were available.

Meals
Pre-booked meals were available for those not wishing to do their own cooking.

Tandem Parking
Covered storage facilities were available for tandems.

Rides and Route Sheets
Rides visited the New Forest, South Coast and Wiltshire Downs and the possibility of a trip to the Isle of Wight. Leaders were available each day for the medium routes. If you missed the rally or would like to ride some of the rides you missed then the route details can be found by following the link below.
Link to Rally Routes

Annual General Meeting
The Club's AGM will took place on Saturday 26th March.

Mountain bike trails
Avon Tyrrell has three off road trails ranging from one suitable for all to the gravity and pump track for experts only. The expert track requires a short induction course which must be booked at reception. Bring your own MTB or suitable mountain bikes, including tandems, can be hired from Forest Leisure Cycling in Burley who may be able to deliver them to the centre.

What to do if you want to take a break from cycling ?
There are many places to visit should the weather turn inclement including Beaulieu Motor Museum, Eling Tide Mill and Bucklers Hard Maritime Museum. For a full list click here.

Map showing location of Avon Tyrell