SEASONED cyclists have chastised me for only "dipping my toes in the water" with my suggestions for rides on the Isle of Wight in the last three weeks, so today I challenge them to become island day-trippers with a difference, choosing from a choice of routes which involve at least two ferry crossings, or as many as six for the really adventurous.

There is nothing new in following the shoreline on each side of the Solent.

Riders from both the mainland and the Isle of Wight do it annually, but in addition to covering between 48 and 60 miles for the round trip, time must also be allowed for the two major ferry crossings, and the minor ones as well if they are preferred to the busier roads they avoid.

Space does not allow me to describe these routes in detail but anyone visiting the Isle of Wight for the first time should not have any problem finding their way with the accompanying sketch plan if they are equipped with the OS Landranger map No. 196 (Solent & The Isle of Wight) which covers the entire circuit.

Wightlink Ferries provide the two most popular services for this day out, and a day return ticket (£6.20) bought at Lymington is acceptable when returning from Fishbourne to Portsmouth.

Services on both these routes are very frequent during the summer and the Portsmouth Harbour crossing to Gosport (to avoid riding through the city) runs at least once in every 15 minutes.

By contrast, the lesser-known Hamble River ferry from Warsash (avoiding the A27 across Bursledon Bridge) stops running at 5.30pm. This one can accommodate up to 12 people with their cycles at a time, and once ashore at Hamble it is possible to return to Southampton via the Royal Victoria Country Park and Netley to Woolston and the last climb of the day, over the Itchen Bridge.

In recommending the Royal Pier in Southampton as the starting point, I can offer the short ferry trip to Hythe Pier (at 20 & 50 minutes past each hour) as a comfortable way of setting out, before turning the pedals for the 12-mile ride across the New Forest to Lymington. Remember to turn left after crossing the river at Beaulieu to ride through this village instead of around it.

Following the direction signs for the ferry means there is no need to enter Lymington which is best viewed from the east bank of the river anyway, and you shouldn't have to ride into Yarmouth either unless in search of refreshment. Both ports have plenty of services and are attractive too.

You will need to decide on landing which way to take across the Island. The northern route via Cowes with its floating bridge across the Medina River offers a rich variety of dense woodlands - keep an eye out for the red squirrels - and coastal scenery.

The southern alternative offers majestic open downland and oppor-tunities to rest over tea and cakes at Shalcombe (Chessell Pottery), Brighstone and Godshill .

The B3401 from Shalcombe leads direct to Newport, through Calbourne and Carisbrooke (where the Castle View Cafe is renowned for its big helpings) or the main road (A3054) via Shalfleet and Parkhurst Forest is about as level as any on the Island.

Once back on the mainland cycling is easy, especially following the coastline along Stokes Bay to the nature reserve to Hill Head, for this part of the ride is almost as level as the sea is beside it. You realise, as you gaze across to the Island you have just left, how exhilarating the day has been.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.