Red Squirrel Ride
Explore the Isle of Wight by bike to support the Island’s most vulnerable animals.
Date and time
Location
RSPCA Isle of Wight Branch Animal Centre
Merstone Lane Godshill PO38 3NA United KingdomGood to know
Highlights
- 5 hours
- ALL AGES
- In person
- Free venue parking
- Doors at 09:00
Refund Policy
About this event
Red Squirrel Ride
Welcome to the first Red Squirrel Ride!
Unlike many challenge events, the Red Squirrel Ride is largely traffic-free, making this a family - friendly, leisurely great day out making extensive use of the Island’s network of old railway paths and cycle trails.
Choose between two circular routes – 34 and 16 miles. Both can be taken at a leisurely pace. The shorter route is ideal for families and new cyclists, whilst the longer option adds extra challenge and a few more hills.
Cycle at your own pace, taking time to explore the Isle of Wight’s glorious scenery and beautiful beaches.
We have two start points - with the RSPCA Animal Centre at Godshill as above, or if you’re travelling from the mainland head to the Quarr Abbey Checkpoint, just a few minutes’ ride from the Wightlink ferry terminal at Fishbourne.
By joining the Red Squirrel Ride you’ll be helping the RSPCA Isle of Wight work assisting animals in need on the Island. We’re an independent charity that supports the work of the RSPCA locally.
20% off your ferry travel
Save 20% on foot, car and motorcycle ferry travel to the Island for the Red Squirrel Ride, on September 20th 2025. Simply click the link below to book your tickets.
https://www.wightlink.co.uk/explorer/the-great-rspca-isle-of-wight-dog-walk
https://www.wightlink.co.uk/explorer/red-squirrel-ride
Full Route Description - 34 miles
Starting from the RSPCA Centre near Merstone, follow the old railway path towards the Island’s ‘capital’ Newport (5½ miles). The ride continues through a short railway tunnel and along the old railway trail towards Wootton station (9 miles).
Things get a bit hillier as you head to the Fishbourne ferry terminal, the arrival point for mainland cyclists. From here it’s just a short ride to the Quarr Abbey Checkpoint (11 miles) – take time to relax around the Abbey and its Café.
Next stop is the seaside town of Ryde. There’s a lovely level section along the promenade to Puckpool Park Checkpoint (15 miles).
Follow the coast road to the charming seaside town of Seaview, then its uphill along quiet roads and bridleways to St Helens (18 miles). From here the route heads inland, initially following the old Bembridge branch line, to the historic town of Brading. Quiet country lanes lead on to the Alverstone Checkpoint (23 miles) where you can restock on tea and cakes.
Back on an old railway trail the next stop is Sandown. From here it’s a lovely easy ride along the promenade to the nearby resort of Shanklin (27 miles). There’s a short, but steep climb up from the beach to the station from where another peaceful traffic-free railway path takes you to Wroxall (30 miles).
Just outside Wroxall are the imposing ruins of Appuldurcombe House (free admission). The ride takes a bumpy grass track heading uphill to the Freemantle Gate, once the grand entrance to the estate. This is the roughest section of the ride, but the reward is a sweeping panorama across the Island.
With the climb now complete, it’s a long downhill towards Godshill then along gravel paths to the RSPCA Animal Centre (34 miles). Collect your medal and celebrate your achievement.
Family Ride - 16 miles
Starting from the RSPCA Centre near Merstone, follow the old railway path towards east along the Yar Valley. Take your time to enjoy this lovely leisurely section with easy gradients and attractive scenery. Pass the popular Pedallers Café at Newchurch (3½ miles), then on to the Alverstone Checkpoint (5 miles) where you can restock on tea and cakes.
Back on an old railway trail the next stop is Sandown (7½ miles). From here it’s a lovely easy ride along the promenade to the nearby resort of Shanklin (9 miles). The first short but steep climb heads up from the beach towards the town. After Shanklin station join another peaceful traffic-free railway path which takes you to Wroxall (12 miles), the southernmost point of the ride.
Just outside Wroxall are the imposing ruins of Appuldurcombe House (free admission). The ride takes a bumpy grass track heading uphill to the Freemantle Gate, once the grand entrance to the estate. This is the roughest section of the ride, but the reward is a sweeping panorama across the Island.
With the climb now complete, it’s a long downhill towards Godshill from where a network of gravel paths leads back to the RSPCA Animal Centre (16 miles). Collect your medal and celebrate your achievement.
Frequently asked questions
Most bikes would be suitable, though a hybrid bike would be ideal. Most of the route is surfaced; however there are a few rougher and gravelly sections that those with skinny tyres may find a challenge.
There is the choice of two routes of 34 miles and 16 miles.
The majority of the route is off-road, following the Red Squirrel Trail. Generally the roads used are quiet residential streets and country lanes, with a few short sections on busier main roads at Brading, Wootton and Wroxall (less than 1 mile in total).
A keen cyclist could complete the full route in under 3 hours, however it would be a shame to ride this quickly and not stop to enjoy the Island’s scenery and beaches. Allowing 5-7 hours would enable a leisurely ride with plenty of time for stops.
The sections along the old railway lines and the seafront promenades are gently graded, and in general the route avoids lengthy ascents. However, no exploration of the Isle of Wight can avoid the hills entirely, so expect a few steeper sections, most notably around Seaview, Brading and Wroxall.
The checkpoints at Alverstone and the Animal Centre are manned by RSPCA volunteers offering tea, coffee and cakes. The checkpoints at Quarr Abbey and Puckpool Park are situated next to cafes with a greater range of food and drink options. All the checkpoints have toilets and water available.