Red Squirrel Ride
2026 Date to Follow
34 or 16 mile routes
Explore the Isle of Wight by bike to support the Island Animal Centre.
Unlike many challenge events, the Red Squirrel Ride is largely traffic-free, making extensive use of the Island’s extensive 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.
By joining the Red Squirrel Ride you’ll be supporting the Island Animal Centre, which cares for local animals suffering cruelty and neglect.
Full Route
34 miles
Enjoy a grand circuit, exploring the fabulous scenery of the Isle of Wight. The full route makes extensive use of the Red Squirrel Trail – a network of traffic-free old railway trails – as well as quiet connecting sections.
Heading in a clockwise direction you’ll visit Newport, Quarr Abbey and Ryde seafront, before heading through St Helens and Brading to the Alverstone checkpoint. Here you join the shorter route which takes you through Sandown, Shanklin and Wroxall before returning to the RSPCA centre.
Shorter Route
16 miles
The shorter route is almost entirely on traffic-free cycle paths, with shorter, connecting sections through Sandown, Shanklin and Wroxall.
Starting from the RSPCA Centre, the route follows the old railway trail along the Yar Valley to the Alverstone checkpoint. Head along the promenade between Sandown and Shanklin, then follow another railway trail to Wroxall. Finally, return to start via Freemantle Gate.
Book Your Place
Book your place online. Tickets for the event are £20 for adults and £10 for children.
- All finishers receive an exclusive Red Squirrel Ride medal
- A detailed route map with cycling instructions and information about places to stop on the route
- Checkpoints along the route with assistance available
- Wightlink discount for mainland cyclists travelling to the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the route? There is the choice of two routes of 34 miles and 16 miles.
Does the route include busy roads? 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).
How long will it take to cycle? 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. There’s lots of great cafes and places of interest along the route. Allowing 5-6 hours would enable a leisurely ride with plenty of time for stops.
How big are the hills? 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.
What can I expect at the checkpoints? 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 opportunities to fill up your water bottle.
There are lots of shops, cafes and pubs along the route, offering a wide range of refreshment opportunities.
What type of bike is best? 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.
Is the ride suitable for children? The shorter route is ideal for families and younger children – the vast majority is off-road with fewer hills. Older children who cycle regularly may well enjoy the challenge of the full route.
Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Start & Finish
You can start the Red Squirrel Ride from anywhere on either route. We’ll send you details of the route in advance.
If you’re driving to the event, we’d reccomend starting at the RSPCA Island Animal Centre, situation midway between Rookley and Godshill. There is ample free parking throughout the day.
If you’re travelling from the mainland you can start the Full Route from the Quarr Abbey checkpoint, which is just a few minutes’ ride from the Wightlink ferry terminal at Fishbourne.
Wherever you choose to start, don’t forget to collect your medal as you pass through the checkpoint at the RSPCA Island Animal Centre.
Travel to the Isle of Wight
We’d recommend travelling on the Wightlink car ferry between Portsmouth and Fishbourne – travel on the 0840, 0920 or 10:00 ferries. Wightlink is offering a 20% discount to cyclists taking part in the Red Squirrel Ride. The car ferry to Fishbourne is the most convenient route for the event. Please be aware that the FastCat ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde has limited spaces for bikes.
