THE Alton section of Cycling UK held their annual Phil Hampton Memorial Ride, organised as usual by Dan Montgomerie.

The event commemorates the life of local man Phil Hampton who died after being struck by a lorry while cycling 15 years ago. The 2017 ride attracted the highest-ever entry, with 82 cyclists from Hampshire, Surrey and London taking part.

The riders set out from Medstead Village Hall into a strong, cold wind to tackle one of two routes: 30 miles which took in the Candover Valley road, Itchen Abbas and Alresford, or 50 miles heading south through Cheriton and Bishops Waltham, and back via Hambledon, West Meon and Ropley. On arrival back at the hall, the riders enjoyed hot drinks, rolls and cakes.

This year’s event raised a record-breaking £752 for The Cyclists’ Defence Fund, a charity which works to raise awareness of the law relating to cycling and offers help with cyclists’ legal cases.

Cycling UK North Hampshire runs regular moderate-paced rides from Alton Community Centre on Saturday afternoons. To find out more, visit www.nhampshirectc.org.uk