Wires strung across cycle trail in country park near New Forest – for second time in three years

A cyclist riding with his family fell off his bike and hit his head on a rock after wires were strung across a cycle trail in a country park near the New Forest, exactly three years after we reported on a similar incident at the same location.

Rangers at Dorset’s Moors Valley Country Park, which lies close to Ringwood and the western edge of the New Forest National Park, have asked cyclists to notify them of any obstructions they find on cycle routes there and have said they will notify the police of any such incidents.

A warning about the path being sabotaged by people putting wire across it, as well as placing logs and other obstructions, was posted on the Facebook page of Café Velo in Ringwood, with the message saying that the cyclist’s helmet absorbed the brunt of the impact.

Moors Valley Country Park ranger Katie Davies told the Bournemouth Echo: "We have had an unconfirmed report of an incident, via social media, of an obstruction on our bike trails which caused injury to a rider.

"We're trying to establish the facts so we can investigate fully, but to date no report has been made to us directly.

"We would like to reassure visitors that our trails are checked daily by rangers and we take such reports seriously."

She said that people seeing "something untoward" on the trails should notify the visitor centre, or call 0300 067 6400 out of hours, and that they should "note the location and take a photograph if possible.

"With more than 30 miles of trails, establishing an exact location as quickly as possible is really helpful," she added.

"Any criminal activity will be reported to the police."

In May 2015, a cyclist was hurt when fishing wire was strung across a bike trail at the same country park, which is a popular cycling destination for families due to its network of off-road cycle paths.

> Cyclist hurt as fishing line stretched across country park bike path near New Forest

Following that incident, members of Whitchurch, Hampshire-based Test Valley Cycling Club raised funds for a reward to try and track down those responsible.