ORGANISERS of two major cycling events in the New Forest are being urged to change their rides to avoid a clash.

Hundreds of cyclists are due to come to the New Forest on the weekend of October 12 for the Gridiron 100, a family cycle event, and the Wiggle New Forest 100 Sportive.

The Gridiron is expected to attract around 800 riders, while the Wiggle ride could see 1,900 cyclists.

But just days before both events, the New Forest Safety Advisory Group has urged organisers to change routes and timings.

Fears over cyclists travelling in opposite directions at the same time on the Gorley road from Fordingbridge to Ringwood, and on Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst, will cause severe traffic congestion and safety issues, as well as a negative impact on the local residents, the group said.

Chairman, James Knight, added: “Due to the representations we have received from members of the group, we can only advise against both events taking place on the same day with the routes and timings as currently advertised.

“The SAG is committed to helping promote safety for events that are held in the district. The organisers themselves have a responsibility to liaise with each other to resolve the issues and we have strongly encouraged them to do so.”

Martin Barden, director of UK Cycling events said they were working with Gridiron organisers to resolve the clash.

He added: “When we launched the date for the New Forest 100 2014 in Oct 2013, the Gridiron had not confirmed their date or route.

“When we found out about the clash, we altered our route to reduce the amount the routes clashed from 40% to approx 15%, with timing which would mean the events passed at different times.

“Since this, we have discovered that the Gridiron route goes in a clockwise direction, our route is anticlockwise.

“We are unable to change the direction of our route, as we do not deem clockwise routes safe as the riders will have to turn right across the flow of traffic at junctions; rather than left and joining the flow as our route currently does.”

One of the Gridiron organisers told the Daily Echo: “We have held the ride on the same weekend every year for 22 years.

“We are very concerned by this and will do everything we can to ensure safety, as we always have done.”

He said when Wiggle began the event six years ago, the first event clashed, but until this year efforts have been made to avoid the same weekend.

“We are looking at what we can do but to change the ride is very difficult”, he added.

The two rides were discussed at a meeting of the New Forest Verderers in July where it was heard Wiggle had changed their route.

At the meeting concerns were raised about the two cycle rides, which are also taking place on the same day as a drift at Balmer Lawn.

A drift - not a public event - sees animals rounded up for health checks and tail clipping.

According to the minutes, New Forest Safety Group said then that the Gridiron event and the Wiggle ride would not clash.