About cycling & running in South HampshireSouth Hampshire Training Notes
Running: South Hampshire runners get a proper mix, with Southsea Seafront for flat Z2, Old Portsmouth to Gunwharf Quays for a sharper city loop, and Hilsea Lines beside Ports Creek when you want quieter miles. Locals use the coastal paths of Portsmouth because the Southsea Seafront stretch is a quintessential Portsmouth running experience. Eastleigh Running Club meets Monday and Thursday at 7pm in Eastleigh, and Tuesday at 7pm in Chandlers Ford for coached speed and intervals. Hook Runners starts sessions from Hook Community Centre, with recovery 5km on Monday and Dawn Patrol at 6am on Friday. ABP Southampton Marathon anchors the road calendar.
Cycling: South Hampshire riders split their week between coast, lanes, and dirt. Locals spin the Hayling Billy route because it gives 5 easy miles from Hayling Island, and locals stretch out on the Shipwrights Way because it runs 50 miles from Alice Holt Forest. Queen Elizabeth Country Park has a 6-mile red route. Alton Cycling Club, North Hampshire RC Club, Farnham RC Club, Cadence Club, and Blended Trails keep the crit, TT, and gran fondo crowd honest. Butser Hill gives the headline climb, and Hampshire Hangers gives the punchy stuff. North Hampshire RC Club Candover 10 and Alton Cycling Club TT Championship anchor the race chat.
Season: Spring and autumn suit South Hampshire best, especially April to May and September to October, when runners can stack base miles without overcooking and riders can sit in Z2 through the lanes. Summer brings long coastal evenings, but high tides and stormy weather can make certain parts of the coast inaccessible or unsafe. Autumn suits the New Forest National Park, and cycling through it is hard to beat. Winter changes the kit list for everyone. Runners find mud inland, and riders at Queen Elizabeth Country Park should prepare to get muddy through some seriously fun tree rides.
