Mountbatten Isle of Wight is set to take over the organisation of the popular Randonnee cycling event from 2026, with a new September date confirmed.
From next year, in the biggest shake-up in the family-friendly event’s 40 year history, Mountbatten will take on running this historic round the Island cycle. And, instead of its usual weekend in May, the next Randonnee will be held on 6th September 2026.
Until now, the Randonnee has been organised by members of the Wayfarer Cycle Touring Club, whose dedication has helped the event grow into a popular challenge that attracts around 3,000 participants each year. The ride is proudly not a race.
Randonnee attracts cyclists from the mainland as well as Islanders, and people of all ages take part. Participants traverse scenic routes and quiet roads and lanes, through some of the most beautiful scenery on offer.
Since it began, in 1985, this incredible cycling event has supported local charities through generous donations, online and at checkpoints, and via the sale of commemorative badges.
Now, Mountbatten Isle of Wight becomes the guardian of an event with incredible history and heritage. This is hugely important to the hospice charity, which will continue to work with the current organisers, through a committee, to support the delivery of Randonnee with Mountbatten 2026.
The Wayfarer Cycle Touring Club said:
“We’d like to thank Islanders for their support, including the businesses, schools and villages that have let us use their premises for the feed stations so enjoyed by the participants.
“After 40 years, it’s time to pass the handlebars over to Mountbatten Isle of Wight for the next exciting phase of this enduring and hugely successful annual cycling challenge.”
Mountbatten Isle of Wight CEO, Becky McGregor said:
“We’re beyond delighted to be chosen as the new organisers of the fabulous Isle of Wight Randonnee which, in its four decades, has done so much for schools and charities across the Island.
“We are excited for Randonnee 2026, on its new date of 6th September. We can’t wait for what we know is going to be an exhilarating ride.
“Thank you so much to the Wayfarer team. Your dedication has made this an incredible event and we look forward to working with you in future.”
Schools around the Island set up pit-stops for riders and enjoy a fundraising boost from Randonnee. The Mountbatten Isle of Wight team is dedicated to continuing these partnerships.
Preregister your interest here: https://www.mountbatten.org.uk/randonnee2026
Ahhh the awful ranndonnee,where groups of idiots in lycra seem to think they are riding the tour de France,riding erratically,and aggressively,and causing hold ups and near accidents,and basically being a pain in the backside,about time its cancelled,at least in september theres more chance of it chucking it down.
As well as cycling most days of the week I have ridden about half the Randonnees and have seldom witnessed cycling that approaches the abysmal standards I see in car drivers every day.
Rather than penalising these fresh air loving charity supporters it would be more relevant to bring in regular retests for motorists. The failure rate would be sky high and perhaps the income could be diverted to the NHS?
The probable reason you havent witnessed absymal cycling is because you were at the back,cycling clubs from the mainland come over and literally race each other,the best one was 4 abreast,having a chat,whilst the idiot on the outside pulled out his phone and took a selfie,all at speed,and my dashcam caught it all!
about time its cancelled stopped happening,utter plebs.
Here Here, I couldn’t agree more.
These lycra clad numpties pay f’all
to use roads we pay for.
They cycle side by side holding each others hands
making roads dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.
All cyclists should pay road fund fees and display a
number plate.
If I had a pound for all the cyclists who fail to STOP
at traffic lights, I’d be a Millionaire.
Oh no, not again, give it up, well anyway, they will need BMX bikes this time around what with all the road works. Absolute waste of time, lycra clad lunatics with a serious bad attitude, lean on my wing mirror and you’re for it.
“family friendly event”?
My family can’t go out the day of the event for fear of witnessing grown men wearing lycra urinating along the side of the road, getting sworn at by lycra yobs as I dare be on the same road as them etc. (Yes, both things are true)
Sorry Mountbatten, but by association you have now lost my support and my donations will go elsewhere.
There will be a lot of people who feel the same.
Disgusting old men and women usually in their 70’s, dressing up like teenagers, riding £2000 bikes badly uphill or on the flat and bombing down Shutes across the island at 35-40 mph without a thought for others.
They are not “family friendly”. They are an accident waiting to happen.
Much better to support the four youngsters taking on the HYROX Challenge and making their target of £400 a lot more.
An accident waiting to happen JS? How many people are killed in ‘accidents’ involving cyclists every year? On average a couple.
And how many people are killed by drivers every year? About 1,700.
A sane society would surely concentrate its efforts where they are most needed and not waste time puffing and blowing about trivia.
Bad cyclists annoy motorists.Bad motorists kill cyclists!!