CYCLISTS left Southampton on an epic ride across the south of England to trailblaze a new route on the National Cycle Network.

Not even the wind and the rain could deter the 70-strong group, who joined members of sustainable transport charity Sustrans on the latest leg of the 400m journey from London to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Together they rode on the 43-mile stretch from Southampton to Christchurch.

A £43.5m National Lottery grant funded the National Cycle Network, which is open to walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.